The newly released documents, developed in partnership with the National Marine Mammal Foundation, provide a crucial scientific and operational foundation to address high-priority data gaps in dolphin restoration. This work is being used to inform the planning, design, and evaluation of restoration activities for bottlenose dolphins.
The four publications:
- Monitoring Plan for Common Bottlenose Dolphin Stocks across Louisiana Basins and Nearshore Coastal Waters (PDF, 39 pages): This plan outlines the methods, timing, and approach to determine dolphin abundance, as well as their locations and stock structure. It also details how to better understand their habitat use, where they forage, and the role of prey in habitat use.
- Characterization of Human-Caused Threats to Bottlenose Dolphins in Louisiana (PDF, 62 pages): This report summarizes existing information to fully describe human-caused threats (such as fishery bycatch, illegal feeding, and marine debris) and the risks from environmental contaminants and disease.
- Freshwater Response, Scientific/Impact Assessment, and Decision-making Strategy Report (PDF, 25 pages): This report details how to measure and better describe the exposure and effects of freshwater on bottlenose dolphins in Louisiana’s coastal waters.
- Evaluating the Threats of Disease, Contaminants, and Environmental Hazards on Louisiana Dolphin Health (PDF, 79 pages): This report compiles available information on infectious, non-infectious, and contaminant hazards (such as oil spills). It also offers a standardized approach to assess risk for bottlenose dolphins in Louisiana.
The information contained within these documents are crucial for developing future restoration activities to reduce threats faced by dolphin populations and monitoring and evaluating their effectiveness.
