Dolphin conservation in the Shannon Estuary

These images were processed and catalogued to collect data essential for conservation efforts.

By participating in this project, tourism boat operators can educate themselves and tourists about the importance of marine biodiversity, dolphin identification, and habitat protection in the Shannon Estuary.

Photo identification images are collected each summer by marine biology students from around the world. These volunteers spend several weeks accompanying research scientists on survey and dolphin tourism boats. The learning objectives include monitoring data such as dolphin population size, home ranges, distances travelled, reproduction rates, and calf survival until adulthood.