Whale and Dolphin Conservation

International Year of the Dolphin

2007 was declared the International Year of the Dolphin by the United Nations Convention on Migratory Species, together with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. It has now been extended to 2008.

The Australian Government is undertaking a number of activities during the Year of the Dolphin to raise awareness about dolphins, the threats they face and actions that could help their conservation.

Dolphins under threat

There are around 40 species of dolphins in the world, 21 of which occur in Australian waters. Many species of dolphins are threatened by problems caused by humans such as pollution, human fisheries and habitat destruction. Dolphins can also be threatened by people getting too close to them and disturbing their normal activities such as eating, resting or mating. More about Australia's dolphin species

The Australian Government funds scientific research through the Australian Centre for Applied Marine Mammal Science (ACAMMS) to learn more about dolphins and their habitats so that everyone can help protect them from these threats. More about ACAMMS 

Protecting dolphins

Dolphin protection and conservation is very important to the Australian Government. The Government protects dolphins in an area known as the Australian Whale Sanctuary. Within the Sanctuary it is illegal to injure, harass or kill a dolphin. More about the Australian Whale Sanctuary

The Australian National Guidelines for Whale and Dolphin Watching 2005 set standards that allow people to observe and interact with whales and dolphins in a way that ensures animals are not harmed.

It is also important to protect dolphins outside of the Sanctuary. In September 2007, Australia along with eight other countries signed a memorandum of understanding for the conservation of whales and dolphins and their habitats in the Pacific Islands region. Australia is also an active member of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) Scientific Committee Subcommittee on Small Cetaceans.

You can help protect dolphins in some very simple ways such as:

• Reduce, re-use, and re-cycle your rubbish so it doesn't end up in the ocean.
• Encourage friends and family to properly dispose of wastes such as paint and car oil at special collection sites, rather than pouring them down the drain.
• Don't approach dolphins too closely. In Australia you are only allowed to get within 50 metres of dolphins if you are in a boat. Often dolphins are curious and will approach you if you let them choose to.
• Supporting organisations that undertake dolphin research.

Learn more about dolphins

You can learn a lot more about dolphins and other cetaceans on the kids' interactive whale and dolphin website.

The Department has also developed a teachers toolkit to assist teachers in developing a curriculum to educate students about the International Year of the Dolphin. Use the 2007 International Year of the Dolphin teachers toolkit