UAE dolphin project

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UAE dolphin project

Non-profit initiative to investigate the dolphin population along the UAE coastline, provide scientific information and support their conservation

16/06/2026

UAE Dolphin Project participated in the International Whaling Commission (IWC) Scientific Committee meeting in Bled, Slovenia!

The IWC is the global body responsible for the conservation of whales, dolphins, and porpoises and the management of whaling. Established in 1946 in response to the unsustainable whaling practices of the 19th and 20th centuries, when many whale populations were driven to dangerously low levels, it now includes 89 member countries worldwide.

The first protections were introduced in the 1960s, followed by a moratorium on all commercial whaling in 1986. While the recovery of some whale populations from near extinction stands as a major conservation success, others have not been as fortunate, with several remaining critically endangered.

While the threat of whaling still persists, other human-driven threats have increased, such as bycatch, ship strikes, ocean noise, and broader habitat degradation, as the primary risks facing cetaceans.

The IWC Scientific Committee meeting brings together up to 200 scientists every two years, including UAE Dolphin Project founder and director, Dr. Ada Natoli.

The latest report can be found here https://archive.iwc.int/pages/view.php?ref=22706&k=

27/04/2026

The UAE Dolphin Project has halted all boat-based surveys in UAE waters due to the current situation. However, we continue to assess the impact of increased noise on local
cetaceans.

Light does not travel well underwater, so aquatic animals cannot rely exclusively on vision to navigate their environment. Instead, dolphins and porpoises use sound.
Through whistles and clicks, some at frequencies inaudible to humans, they communicate, socialize, and hunt.

They have developed the ability to use sound to “see” their surroundings through a process known as echolocation: they emit clicks that bounce off objects and return as echoes.

By interpreting these echoes, they can determine distance, size, shape, and even texture.

We use this same principle to monitor their presence through passive acoustic devices called F-Pods, which continuously record high-frequency sounds.

In noise-polluted waters, their ability to hunt and communicate can be compromised. This may lead to disorientation, separation from their pods, or even stranding events.

It is crucial to understand how local cetaceans are coping during these challenging times, and we hope to gain better insight into the potential effects once we recover the devices currently deployed.

In the meantime, your sighting reports remain as vital as ever - and especially reports of any eventual strandings.

20/04/2026

Why do dolphins come close to the shores?

There are many reasons why dolphins visit our shores, some of which are specific to the UAE.

One of the UAE’s resident dolphin species, the endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea, easily recognized by the distinctive dorsal hump), is naturally a nearshore species. It typically forms small pods and inhabits shallow waters and nearshore areas, usually within 2 km of the shoreline. So being close to shore is simply part of its natural behavior.

This makes it particularly vulnerable to disturbance and population decline, as these waters frequently overlap with areas of intense human activity, such as coastal development, fisheries, boating, water sports, and pollution. As a result, the natural habitat of this species continues to shrink. The Indian Ocean humpback dolphin is currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Other resident cetacean species, such as the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops
aduncus), also frequent coastal areas. They may follow fish while hunting and feeding or seek shelter from predators.

Calm coastal waters also provide ideal conditions for socializing and play. Dolphins are highly intelligent, social animals with strong bonds and complex social structures. They are capable of self-awareness and empathy, and their curiosity may lead them to approach humans. They are often just as interested in us as we are in them.

In some cases, dolphins may approach the shore due to old age, illness, or injury, becoming too weak to return to deeper waters and potentially stranding along the coastline.

In the UAE , even whales occasionally visit nearshore waters. The reasons for this are not clear because little is known about the whales population in the Gulf.

Always report your sightings to the UAE Dolphin Project (Whatsapp No +971 56 671 7164,
email: [email protected]). By sharing your photos and videos, you contribute to ongoing research that helps protect these extraordinary creatures.

13/04/2026

April 14 is National Dolphin Day!

Why it matters:
Dolphins are not just intelligent and iconic species, they are vital to ocean health. As top
predators, they reflect the condition of entire marine ecosystems. Yet, they are increasingly at risk of extinction. The baiji dolphin was declared extinct in 2008, a stark warning of what’s at stake. Nearly 60% of coastal dolphin species worldwide are considered threatened according to
the IUCN Red List.

In the UAE, dolphins regularly inhabit or use coastal waters. These environments are facing growing disturbance and human impact, while critical, comprehensive scientific data is still lacking, making effective conservation efforts even more challenging.

That’s where the UAE Dolphin Project comes in.

Through research, and public engagement, we’re working to close the data gap. Our citizen scientists play a key role by reporting dolphin sightings in contributing to real conservation impact.

Be part of the change:
🐬 Learn about dolphins and their habitats
🐬 Share awareness with your community
🐬 Report your sightings
🐬 Follow and support our work

Join us and use
www.uaedolphinproject.org
[email protected]
WhatsApp: +971 56 671 7164

07/04/2026

If you missed Dr. Ada Natoli on Dubai Eye discussing the UAE Dolphin Project’s temporary shift in strategy for surveying resident dolphins, you can listen here or through the link in our bio:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FHSbSnHNdlfD9ltGHKSX-eyeTTjaV9eh/view?usp=drivesdk

Learn why boat surveys have been paused and what this means for whale and dolphin conservation in the UAE and in the region. More importantly, find out how you can help during this critical time.

Help us track and protect dolphins by reporting your sightings on WhatsApp: +971 56 671 7164

03/04/2026

Not many are venturing out to the open sea these days. Even the UAE Dolphin Project has
postponed its planned boat surveys until conditions improve.

Yet monitoring dolphins and other cetaceans in UAE waters is more important than ever during these unusual times. Fortunately, many valuable sightings can still be made from shore, especially of endangered coastal species such as humpback dolphins (Sousa plumbea).

We often miss them simply because we’re not looking. But if you find yourself along the UAE coastline, particularly from elevated spots like terraces or balconies, take a moment to scan the sea and the horizon. If you spot anything, capture photos or videos if possible, note the location and time, and share it with us at the UAE Dolphin Project.

These observations are incredibly valuable. Right now, they represent our only window into how dolphins are coping with recent changes, including shifts in human activity, noise, and other disturbances - until we are able to resume our boat surveys.

Please save our reporting numbers below and send your sightings to 056 671 7164 or
[email protected].

Many of our past records have come from shore-based observers—proof that your contribution truly makes a difference. Thank you to everyone who has reported sightings in the past, and to those who continue to support our research.

19/03/2026

An unusual visitor in Dubai Marina!

In the last week of February, the UAE Dolphin Project received sightings of a large pod of bottlenose dolphins traveling inside The Palm Jumeirah.

Just a couple of days later, we began receiving multiple, almost daily reports of a lone juvenile bottlenose dolphin swimming in the waters of East Palm Jumeirah Marina.
Was he lost or left behind? Or had he simply decided to enjoy some teenage adventures in the Marina?

Thanks to the consistent reports from our citizen observers, we were able to monitor him daily. He did not appear injured, sick, or otherwise in distress.

Hopefully, this little adventurer found his way back to his dolphin family.

In situations like this, once it has been evaluated that the individual does not exhibit any concerning behavior, the best approach is to limit intervention and continue observing the animal. Unnecessary intervention can sometimes do more harm than good. Since dolphins communicate through sounds that can travel long distances underwater, they are able to stay in contact with their group even when they are not in our sight, making it unlikely that they become lost.

We strongly advise the public not to interfere with wildlife. The best way you can help is by reporting your sightings to the UAE Dolphin Project via WhatsApp at 056 671 7164 and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any question.

A big thank you to everyone who contacted us, reported sightings of the little dolphin and kept a constant eye on the Marina during the week. Your observations are crucial for helping us monitor and research dolphins in the UAE and to assist them when needed. Please keep your reports coming—they are an essential part of UAE Dolphin Project research.

25/02/2026

Have you seen this whale?

This Bryde’s whale was sighted during the very first UAE offshore cetacean survey conducted onboard OceanX by the UAE Dolphin Project Initiative from the Zayed University team.

Bryde’s whales are often difficult to identify because their dorsal fins usually lack distinctive notches. However, this individual has a noticeable lateral scar, which makes her easily recognizable.

We still know very little about whales in Gulf waters, and every sighting provides valuable information to protect them. Only joining efforts we can make a difference!

If you come across this whale — or any other whale — please send us your sighting photos and videos so we can update our records. Don’t forget to include the date, time, and exact location of your sighting. Whatsapp: +971 56 671 7164

By contributing to UAE Dolphin Project research, you are directly supporting the conservation of the UAE’s endangered cetaceans.

Photo credits: Oliver Farrell, UAE Dolphin Project

university ,

13/02/2026

Contributing to the global Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin Conservation

The UAE Dolphin Project Initiative is proud to contribute to this important effort.
The Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin Network (HuDoNET) aims to galvanise conservation action to protect the Endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphin across its range.

HuDoNET was established in 2023 through a collaboration between the UAE Dolphin Project Initiative, Zayed University (UAE), the MRI Whale Unit at the University of Pretoria (South Africa), and the University of St Andrews (UK).

The network now brings together nearly 100 experts working across 18 range countries. Over the past year, members have collaboratively developed a framework to guide coordinated research, policy engagement, and conservation action for the Endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphin throughout its range.

In the UAE, the Indian Ocean humpback dolphin is the most threatened of the three small cetacean species that regularly inhabit our waters, including the urban waters of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where we have been focusing our research efforts.

The full HuDoNet Network Action Plan is available here:https://d0931832-2964-4ff3-adec-abdfed230290.filesusr.com/ugd/0cad17_b70df0bd8dbe432ca303b0302c5b726d.pdf

10/02/2026

As every year, the UAE Dolphin Project team attended SICFAB (the Sharjah International Conservation Forum for Arabian Biodiversity). This year’s discussions focused on invasive species, seabirds, and sea snakes.
Although our work focuses on cetaceans, dolphins are part of a much larger marine ecosystem and are an integral component of Arabian marine biodiversity.

During our surveys, we also collect data on other species, including cormorants, sea snakes, sea turtles, as well as on water conditions. Changes affecting other marine species at different trophic levels, whether through habitat degradation or invasive species, ultimately impact top predators such as dolphins.

The team had the opportunity to exchange knowledge with researchers and conservationists working across a wide range of taxa. These research methods and conservation strategies contribute to ecosystem-wide conservation efforts.

Address

Dubai
Uae

Telephone

971509551742

Website

http://www.uaedolphinproject.org/, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FHSbSnHNdlfD9ltGHKSX-eyeTTjaV9eh/view?usp=drivesdk

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