RESEARCH

The Centre for Dolphin Studies (CDS) was born in the late 1980s of an increased need for information about Western Indian Ocean (WIO) marine mammals, in general; and specifically southern African whales, dolphins and seals, particularly in light of escalating coastal development and degradation.

The primary missions of the CDS are to gather information on all marine mammal, and particularly dolphin species, inhabiting African waters, and particularly the WIO; and to co-ordinate and integrate multidisciplinary research on the biology, conservation and management of these animals and their habitat. Through the integration of research results, the CDS aims to generate long-term status assessments of Africa's marine mammal (both coastal and pelagic) assets.

The CDS also aims to promote the science of marine mammalogy through the teaching of undergraduate and post-graduate students; as well as to aid and encourage the authorities of African states to conserve and manage their marine mammal and coastal resources. Last, but certainly not least, environmental education and increasing awareness is high on the list of CDS objectives.

International recognition of the CDS’s work has led to affiliations with both local and international universities (including: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, University of Pretoria, Texas A&M University, University Eduardo Mondlane (Mozambique), Swire Institute, University of Hong Kong, University of St. Andrews (Scotland), University of Central Florida, University of Tulear (Madagascar), Universidade Agostino Neto (Angola)) as well as numerous non-governmental organisations.

Through this network of scientists and post-graduate students, the CDS has become the most productive dolphin research institute in the country, if not Africa. It has completed more than 30 research programmes and has contributed in excess of 145 publications to the scientific and popular literature. In addition to this, the CDS has represented Africa at more than 49 local and international conferences and workshops.

In recognition of the CDS’s contribution and expertise, its director, Dr Vic Cockcroft is one of 30 world experts (one of only two African representatives) on the World Conservation Union’s (IUCN) Cetacean and Sirenian Specialist Groups.

Now operating as an independent non-profit research trust, the CDS is based in Plettenberg Bay, where it carries out a number of local research studies, promotes marine mammal awareness and is actively involved in conservation-orientated eco-tourism.

The increase in local eco-tourism, particularly in those people making use of coastal and marine resources, has placed added pressure on the marine habitat and the animals that live there in. Research over the last 15 years has served to highlight man’s detrimental impact on the marine environment, with data emphasising the ever-increasing need for effective conservation and management.

High on the list of 21st century goals will be the encouragement of responsible marine eco-tourism, in line with the CDS’s motto – OBSERVE & CONSERVE©.

CURRENT RESEARCH TOPICS

Several ongoing research projects are being conducted in our base in Plettenberg Bay, including:
- Photo identification of dolphins;
- Status of seal population;
- Study of local Bryde's Whales;
- Humpback Whale populaton status;
- The effects of commercial marine mammal activities on local whales and dolphins;
- Feeding and diet of local dolphin species

In Mauritius, working with the Mauritian Marine Conservation Society and the University of Mauritius (UM), Vic Cockcroft is the Principal Scientific Advisor on a TOTAL Foundation funded project. This project is examining aspects of the biology of spinner and bottlenose dolphins, in an effort to set up regulations and a Code of Conduct (CoC) towards sustainable whale and dolphin watching tourism off the Island. This work is both academic, in the dolphin research, and applied, in the research of the industry and into legislation and terms for a CoC.

In Mozambique, and working with the University of Eduardo Mondlane (UEM), the CDS is studying the last remaining viable dugong population off East Africa. Our intention is, however, to create a multi-animal research effort in the area, studying humpback, spinner and bottlenose dolphins, humpback whales and turtles. Some of these programmes have just started, though only the dugong study is fully functional at the moment. With a Mozambiquan colleague, Almeida Guissamulo (an ex-student of the CDS), we are building a research station at Inhassoro, to function not only as our offices and accommodation, but also as a regional training center for marine sciences. So far we have found funding to train Mozambiquan (UEM) fourth year students and to employ a person to run school environmental educational programmes in the area. The other aspects are running at low level and await funding.