Photo identification helps us to gather information about the life history of dolphins.
Photo by M. Zuschlag
Establishing baseline data on the distribution of dolphins is essential for their conservation.
Photo by L. Engleby
     The Dolphin Ecology Project is establishing a long-term field research and monitoring program to collect these data and evaluate how dolphins respond to changes in ecosystem health. Throughout the year, Project staff, scientists and volunteers photograph individual dolphins for identification and observe their activities, along with sampling environmental parameters and identifying and measuring the abundance of important dolphin prey species. Over time the Project intends to gain a better understanding about how dolphins utilize the different habitats that comprise the Florida Keys. The Project's educational goal is to increase public awareness about dolphins and the interrelated nature of the Florida Keys' habitats and the importance of South Florida ecosystem restoration efforts.