CONSERVATION OF THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SMALL CETACEANS STUDIES

DOLPHIN QUEST CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE CONSERVATION OF THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SMALL CETACEANS

Conserving threatened or endangered small cetaceans is critical for preserving biodiversity and the health of marine ecosystems, as these species often play pivotal roles in maintaining ecological balance. Their decline can disrupt intricate food chains and impact the stability of fisheries, affecting both ocean health and communities reliant on marine resources. Protecting these cetaceans not only safeguards their unique genetic diversity but also serves as a barometer for broader environmental issues, signifying the urgency of mitigating human-induced threats to ensure a sustainable future for our oceans.

CREATION OF THE CONSERVATION OF THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SMALL CETACEANS FUND

In response to increasing threats to many cetacean species, in 2022 Dolphin Quest launched a two-part initiative aimed at protecting threatened or endangered small cetacean species.

First, Dolphin Quest partnered with the National Marine Mammal Foundation (NMMF) to help launch Operation GRACE (Global Rescue of At-Risk Cetaceans and Ecosystems). Dolphin Quest’s $250,000 donation enabled the NMMF to apply their unique veterinary perspective and conservation expertise to protect and conserve at-risk aquatic animals. Dolphin Quest continues to support Operation GRACE’s efforts empowering communities around the world.

Next, Dolphin Quest launched The Conservation of Threatened or Endangered Small Cetaceans Fund to focus on at-risk species. Since 2022, the new fund has awarded more than $700,000 to 15 projects in 13 countries. Several projects have been supported for multiple years. Between Operation GRACE, the Threatened/Endangered Small Cetaceans Fund, and the General Science and Conservation Fund, Dolphin Quest has donated more than $7,750,000 to hundreds of conservation research projects globally.

STUDIES CURRENTLY SUPPORTED BY DOLPHIN QUEST

conservation map of threatened and endangered whales and dolphins

Highlighted below are some of the Conservation of Threatened or Endangered Small Cetaceans studies that received funding support from Dolphin Quest.

Entanglement of Franciscana Dolphins and Sea Turtles in Gillnets

Could attaching LED lights to nets in Argentina be the solution to reduce marine mammal and sea turtle bycatch?

AQUAMARINA, ARGENTINA

Assessing the Health of Endangered Amazon River Dolphins

Amazonian river dolphins face population declines, and conservation concerns are exacerbated by a general lack of knowledge about the health status of these animals. This project uses veterinary expertise to help fill urgently needed species health data gaps and enhance local conservation efforts.

NMMF & R3, BRAZIL

Mekong River Irrawaddy Dolphin Photo-Analysis Database Project

There may be fewer than 100 Mekong River Dolphins remaining. Knowing their population size and its trend are critical for their survival.

BROOKFIELD ZOO CHICAGO’S SARASOTA DOLPHIN RESEARCH PROGRAM, CAMBODIA

Joining Forces to Protect the Critically Endangered Atlantic Humpback Dolphin

The first in-person meeting of the CCAHD brought together experts and conservationists from 13 Sousa teuszii range countries to share knowledge and find solutions.

CCAHD & AMCO, CAMEROON

Conservation Strategies for Endangered Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphins

Evidence suggests that the Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) is the most threatened small cetacean in the Western Indian Ocean because of their vulnerability to gillnet entanglement, high level of…

KENYAN MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING NETWORK, KENYA

Exploring Cetacean Acoustic Behavior and Ways to Reduce Bycatch Mortality

Small and endangered coastal cetaceans inhabit the Matang mangroves and coastal waters, an area that is also heavily used for human activities. While the area is internationally recognized as…

THE MARECET RESEARCH ORGANIZATION, MALAYSIA

Studying Foraging Ecology and Habitat Use for Small Cetacean Conservation

Although many species of cetaceans inhabit the coast of Peru, dolphin foraging ecology is understudied and suffers from the effects of illegal bycatch and competition for food with industrial and small-scale fisheries…

UNIVERSIDAD PERUANA CAYETANO HEREDIA, PERU

Using eDNA to Understand Population Structure of the Tucuxi Dolphin

All river dolphins are threatened with extinction because of their restricted distribution, overlap with human communities, and the threats of accidental death in fishing gear, habitat destruction, and being killed for bait…

UNIVERSIDAD DE LOS ANDES, COLOMBIA

Using Acoustic Alarms to Reduce Entanglement of Franciscana in Artisanal Fisheries

The critically endangered Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) is a small coastal cetacean from South American waters. Bycatch in gillnets is the biggest threat to the Franciscanas and strategies to mitigate…

UNIVERSIDADE DA REGIÃO DE JOINVILLE – UNIVILLE BRAZIL

Capacity Building for AquaMarina with the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program

For over 25 years, AquaMarina has carried out efforts to reduce Franciscana dolphin incidental bycatch through its range in Argentina. Every new project provides information that contributes to…

AQUAMARINA/SARASOTA DOLPHIN RESEARCH PROGRAM, ARGENTINA

Reducing Ganges River Dolphin Entanglement in Fishing Nets

Endangered Ganges River Dolphins continue to face the threat of accidental entanglement and mortality in fishing nets, also called bycatch. Yet, the extent of bycatch mortality and its impacts on…

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST, INDIA

Preventing Dolphin Bycatch in the World’s Largest Mortality Hotspot

Bycatch is the most significant global threat to marine megafauna, and gillnets in the Indian Ocean’s small-scale fisheries capture more dolphins…

BLUE RESOURCES TRUST SRI LANKA

Studying Human Impacts on a Critically Endangered Bottlenose Dolphin Subpopulation in Greece

A small, critically endangered subpopulation of bottlenose dolphins live in the Gulf of Ambracia, in western Greece…

SARASOTA DOLPHIN RESEARCH PROGRAM, BROOKFIELD ZOO CHICAGO | TETHYS RESEARCH INSTITUTE GREECE

Reducing Bycatch and Hunting of Endangered Dolphins in Madagascar using Community-Driven Conservation

Coastal dolphins off Madagascar are impacted by local hunting and bycatch, threatening populations of endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphins and near-threatened Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins…

AFRICAN AQUATIC CONSERVATION FUND MADAGASCAR

River Dolphins as Sentinels of Aquatic Ecosystem Health in Colombian Amazon

Fundacion Omacha focuses on river dolphins, particularly the endangered Inia geoffrensis, as indicators of ecosystem impacts…

FUNDACION OMACHA COLUMBIA

Rescue and Rehabilitation of Franciscana Dolphin Calves and Understanding Why they Strand in Brazil

Franciscana dolphins are a small dolphin species that only lives in the waters of South America…

UNIVERSITY OF SAO PAULO BRAZIL

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