Research Field notes No. 12

9/17/2014. Dolphin Boat Survey

Today’s survey remained in the vicinity of the Jupiter Inlet (N 260 56.624' W 800 03.805') 

Research Organization: Taras Oceanographic Foundation

Wind/Water conditions: W 5. Seas 0 (aka the perfect conditions for a great survey)

 

Duration: 8 am-12:00 pm

Dolphin encounters: Today's survey was one very long encounter that remained very close to the Jupiter inlet. We were surrounded by bottlenose dolphin (tursiops truncatus). In our immediate view we counted an estimated 36 animals, including two cow/calf pairs. We were able to view several other groups further out during the entire encounter.

The behaviors today mostly included feeding. It was a seafood festival of sorts for the dolphin today! The bait were abundant and running parallel to the coast all morning. We watched them chase, roll over on their bellies while chasing, feeding, tail slapping , and encircling the bait. We also observed one small group traveling north past the inlet and were able to obtain a nice set of photo ID shots.

We had a special guest on board today. Greg Leatherman from Eco Magazine was assisting with the survey counts.

OTHER: Turtle counts:  6  Trash count: 4