The Marine Mammal Foundation (MMF) recently hosted a series of Burrunan Watch days as part of the Gippsland Lakes Community Citizen Science initiative at Bullock Island.
They spent Tuesday to Saturday last week monitoring the dolphins with local citizen scientists.
The research team were also out on the water doing their winter survey of Burrunan Dolphins.
It is interesting to note that this Gippsland dolphin, for a long time, was only recently identified as a new species.
It was not until 2011 the MMF founding director Dr Kate Robb and colleagues formally classified the Burrunan dolphin by analysing DNA which did not match any other species in the world.
This was also verified by comparing the skulls of different dolphins.
“The Burrunan is the only species of dolphin resident to the Gippsland Lakes, and MMF is undertaking robust applied research on the population, to establish population demographics, genetic diversity, acoustics, water quality, boat usage and behaviour among other aspects,” director of Outreach Education, Matt Montemurro, explained when the East Gippsland News Weekend visited the group at Bullock Island.
“The Burrunan Watch project started in 2018-19 and we have been using these sessions with the community as a platform to raise awareness of the Critically Endangered Burrunan dolphin population in the Lakes, and provide a way for the community to contribute to the research of this species.
“It has been identified that irresponsible boating and breaching the regulations when boating in the presence of marine mammals can have a negative impact on the population with the interruption of core-biological activities such as the interruption of feeding, resting or mating, along with loss of group cohesion including the separation of mothers and calves.
“Prior research has estimated that through summer there is an average 4.5 breaches by boats per hour. It is important to follow the regulations when on the water, including remaining 100m from dolphins when in powered and unpowered craft, and 300m for jetskis.
“There is a need for understanding the natural environment and respecting it.”
This is where the local community came in to take ownership and stewardship, and the Lakes Champions program was started to bring together like-minded individuals to research the dolphins.
It operates in Lakes Entrance, Metung and Paynesville and tracks vessels, dolphins, compliance and interaction. MMF can use it for evidence for more signage and education.
In 2020/21, as the result of prolonged rainfall and increased flooding events across the catchment, the composition of fresh water in the lake system dramatically increased. This resulted in the Gippsland Lakes Burrunan dolphin population being impacted by Fresh Water Skin Disease, where the dolphins developed lesions and infections.
“This mortality event resulted in an estimated loss of 60 per cent of the population. Our research is incredibly vital for the recovery of the population and learning how to manage these events in the future,” Matt said.
Matt stressed the importance of citizen sightings as the MMF cannot be here all the time.
“Please report any sightings of dolphins anywhere, anytime, in the lake, up rivers and in back waters. If possible, get a photo as we can identify particular dolphins by their dorsal fin. The power of one report can be immeasurable,” he said.
“You can join our Facebook group TrakMM Dolphin and Whale Spotting Victoria, or log sighting directly on our website.”
Matt also stated the MMF is a not-for-profit organisation and they are always looking to generate funding.
“All of our work is funding dependent. Corporate sponsorships and tax deductible donations help with research,” he said.
“We are here today through funding from Gippsland Lakes Co-ordinating Committee and Love Our Lakes community grants program.
“We would really like to reinvigorate Lakes Champions which was affected by the COVID restrictions, so keep an eye on our website and social media pages for more events in the future.”
