Marine Matters: A true miracle of nature

One of the true miracles of Mother Nature would have to be her timing.

Without the use of a watch or calendar, animals seem to know exactly when and where they need to be at any point in their lives and a perfect example would have to be Bunbury’s bottlenose dolphin population.

Many people have raised their concerns over the lack of dolphin action within Koombana Bay over the past few months however the extended winter and spring conditions are the likely reason for their lower than expected numbers.

Research over the past 20 years has identified the increase in dolphin numbers at this time of the year to be a part of their breeding season cycle when up to 150 dolphins from the region are found using the bay from late October right through until the end of May.

This migration will always be in response to a number of expected environmental cues such as an increase in air temperature and daylight hours however the increase in water temperature along with a decline in salinity and turbidity levels are also critical measures for their return.

The good news from our research team has been the encouraging response to the perfect late spring conditions we are now experiencing with multiple groups of males and females now back in the bay.

With the promise of more blue skies and warmer days on the horizon, we will expect many more dolphins working their way along Buffalo and Back beaches to join their friends and family soon enough!

This is great news for the Dolphin Discovery Centre, which has enjoyed a number of fantastic dolphin visits to the beach Interaction Zone this week.

Although they are wild animals, and we never know when and/or if they will visit, most days between 8am-11am have always been the most popular time for them to make an appearance.

Visits can last five minutes or hours depending on which dolphins arrive and what they are doing. Ideally be patient and always follow the instructions given to you by the centre’s friendly team of staff and volunteers.

You can stand knee to waist deep in the water should they visit however swimming from the beach is not allowed due to strict license regulations set by the Department of Parks and Wildlife.

For those who do want to swim with dolphins, the centre is the only place in Bunbury and one of only two places in the State that offer a once in a lifetime in-water dolphin experience.

The tour is run by the centre’s resident marine biologist and departs every morning from now until the end of April.

This award-winning swim program has been recognised internationally as one of the most ecologically friendly ways of meeting dolphins in their own environment.

For more information on the dolphin interaction programs offered by the DDC, log onto their website www.dolphindiscovery.com.au or call 97913088 between 8am-4pm, 7 days a week.