Sarasota Dolphin Research Program

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My perspective on SDRP training as a scientist from India
By Supraja Dharini, PhD, TREE Foundation, India

Supraja Dharini

The rampant destruction of ecosystems by coastal communities owing to illiteracy and poverty is a major problem for marine conservation in the South East coast of India. Coastal communities depend on marine natural resources for survival. As a result, important habitats and fauna such as reefs, sea grass beds, mangroves, estuaries and marine turtles are being destroyed. Hence the urgent need for their protection. TREE Foundation was founded in 2002 with the aim of protecting marine turtle populations and addressing the interrelatedness between coastal communities and the marine resources on which they depend for their survival. The solution lies in initiatives that combine conserving species and habitat while empowering local people through education programs, capacity building, economic development/poverty alleviation, human and animal health programs and networking with government bodies. TREE Foundation has initiated and trained fishermen as a Sea Turtle Protection Force (STPF) to patrol and conserve the nesting turtle populations and through them started recording observations of the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins every time they were sighted along the near shore areas of the coast. The STPF also recorded strandings of the Indo-Pacific humpback, common, bottlenose, and Risso's dolphins.

The invitation and training opportunity extended to me on behalf of TREE Foundation during 1 June to 1 August 2009 has been a great learning experience under the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP), based at Mote Marine Laboratory. I feel privileged to have been guided by Randall Wells, one of the world's most respected dolphin scientists and head of the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program. Working with the staff of the CZS was indeed a learning experience. The photographic identification surveys, the biopsy-darting for genetic sampling as well as photo-analysis, data recording and processing at the lab has expanded my knowledge with respect to the study of dolphins. The training methodology in photographic identification was excellent and systematic. It taught me to be organized and file data and information carefully. This program was not just a lesson on dolphins but one that will be incorporated in my sea turtle and marine conservation program.

The boat surveys were a wonderful experience. I am grateful for the opportunity given to me. We went to every nook of Sarasota Bay and a couple of times into the Gulf of Mexico. Observing different habitats including the sea grass beds, sand bars and mangrove islands as well as the changing hues of the sea humbled me. Not to forget the different birds we came across, pelicans, least terns, little blue heron, blue heron, ospreys, frigate and the common gulls. Besides watching manatees socializing and swimming, we also saw Loggerhead turtles on five occasions and a Kemps Ridley once. Jason our Lab Manager would patiently reel off names as we passed the birds and also explained how to identify individual manatees by their scar markings. He taught us how to take pictures of dolphins and the rules observed on the boat. Jason was a stern teacher but a patient one too. He answered all my questions making sure that I understood. We did alternate surveys with Jason and our second in command instructor Aaron Barleycorn. Aaron was a source of information on dolphins. At the end of the day, when we returned to the lab, both of them would show us the photographs taken, always having a word of encouragement for us. Of course, there were several pictures showing only a splash of water and the sky but our instructors never discouraged us. They inculcated the qualities of a good teacher in me.

As days went by we learned techniques of photo id, comparing photos and recognizing individual dorsal fins. During a sighting we would be alert. The salinity of the water and temperature had to be recorded with the YSI, the sighting data sheet had to be filled in fast while the dolphins were in sight and their activities keenly observed. Boat surveys were indeed a memorable learning experience for me, something I will cherish all my life. I think I can easily recognize the dolphins, Riptorn, FB55, F222, and I-BUMPS for sure.

Under Dr. Wells' guidance, I have worked out a methodology for a similar program in India. On the basis of his three decades and more years of experience in dolphin study, he advised me to first start a pilot study of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins along the Kancheepuram Coast. The Sea Turtle Protection Force members (drawn from the fishing community) can be trained as field assistants, to assist graduate students since they have been associated with the dolphin study program for the past 4 years. With Randy's and Jason's encouragement, a draft for the framework for the ‘Pilot Study of the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins along the Coramandel Coast' was prepared. Thus he and my instructors, Jason Allen and Aaron Barleycorn have laid the foundation for the above project in South East India. Hopefully, this will shed light on the population structure of dolphins along the coast and help in the conservation and management of the species. The program will be initiated as soon as funds for the boat surveys are available. This training program also gave me ideas and tools to involve graduate students in the study of marine mammals and sea turtles. They will have a wide range of subjects for study and research, in particular the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in the Coramandel Coast in both Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Since sea turtle community based conservation is our prime focus, learning the techniques of satellite tagging of sea turtles under Dr Tony Tucker, Manager of Mote's Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program was valuable. We installed satellite-linked tags on four loggerhead turtles. On the first night he asked me to name a turtle, something that stood for good fortune in my language. I named her Chemem (meaning prosperous in Telugu language). The second time I went on a patrol we satellite tagged a big turtle. I was in awe of her size. And she was very beautiful. Dr. Tony again asked me for a name. I called her Vismaya (meaning astounding). This hands-on experience has boosted my confidence and will enable me to develop the satellite tagging program in December 2009 in Chennai for which TREE Foundation has acquired permission from the Wildlife Wing of the Forest Department Tamil Nadu. At a later stage it will also be done in Nellore.

Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins off the coast of India.

Another area of knowledge that I gained at Mote Marine Stranding Investigation Program was in necropsy procedures and methods of archiving specimens in marine mammal study. On 7th October 2009 TREE Foundation was given permission to conduct necropsy on marine mammals and sea turtles as a joint program with the Tamil Nadu University of Veterinary Sciences. This is the first time in India that an NGO has been involved in this kind of work. Permission to undertake this work was issued after great deliberation and my training at CZS –Sarasota Dolphin Research Program was a plus point. It is hoped that the information from genetic and stable isotopes studies will be tools for better management and conservation measures. I learned the importance of archiving from Ruth Delynn, Curator of Marine Mammal Specimens. She showed me the steps involved in recording data and maintaining marine mammal specimens.

Since TREE Foundation works closely with artisanal fishers, my meeting with Dr. Ken Leber on fisheries enhancement was important. He shared valuable information on useful publications and people working in the field. The work undertaken at his department has given an insight into the issues that can be useful for the artisanal fishers' workshop that TREE will be organizing jointly with the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Wing of the Forest Department in November and December 2009. Such workshops are valuable in creating a good working atmosphere with the fishermen, which furthers the sustainable marine conservation program initiative.

The other staff Katie McHugh, Sandra Camilleri, Brian Balmer, my house mates Katie Anwiler, Natalia Asplanato, Lima Kayello, Rene Byrskov, and interns Julia Bartmess and Jessica Posey were very interactive and enthusiastic in giving practical suggestions to make my conservation programs in India effective and efficient.

Befriending Dr. Eugenie Clark (Shark Lady), my idol and the brain behind Mote Marine Lab has been an honor. At 87 years she is diving into the world's remotest coral reef to study adult convict fish, a little known species. Her advice to women was ‘Dedication, Perseverance and Courage will never fail'.