Area of Study: Dolphins

During the week on Fernando de Noronha our project was leaning all about the incredible life of spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris). We were working closely with the local NGO “Projeto Golfinho Rotador”. Rafael and the whole team showed us through their dolphin monitoring process and the rules they have already been able to put in place to protect the dolphin population. The island is one of the best places in the world to see these fascinating animals. They come to rest here during the days, playing and socializing in bays on the northern shore, which is more protected from south Atlantic Ocean current. As it often happens, this is also where human activity is strongest and overlaps with that of the dolphins. Last year, 150.000 Tourists visited Fernando de Noronha. “Dolphin Bay” in the west of the island is heavily protected by the national park rules and the dolphins can thrive there. We saw 500 dolphins in one morning and a mother humpback nursing her calf. It is one of the two most important bays one the island for spinner dolphins. The other bay is the harbour. The dolphins have to weave their way through fishing boats, cargo ships and tourist / diving tours. Since this area lies outside of the national park, people are getting too close to the dolphins here. With the “Spinner Dolphin Project” we developed a few strategies for dealing with the dolphin – tourist problem. In our eyes it is very important to continue environmental education, both with local people and tourists visiting. We recommend a maximum amount of tourist canoe boats in the water at the same time and also a “No-Enter” Zone in parts of the harbour, marked by buoys.