Dolphin Watch is open to River Guardians members. Training is provided and volunteers learn how to record the time, date, location of dolphin sightings, number of dolphins sighted, presence of a calf, which way the dolphins were travelling, and any noticeable behaviour.
Volunteers learn basic observation techniques and how to ‘observe but not disturb’, in keeping with regulations in the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 and Department of Environment and Conservation protocols for marine mammal interaction. Shore-based observations are ideal as volunteers can observe animals closely without the dolphins knowing they are present.
Dolphin Watch volunteers make a valuable contribution to Murdoch and Curtin universities scientific research, while gaining skills and networking with others involved in caring for the rivers.