Geographe Marine Research

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Dunsborough, WA
Geographe Marine Research

Registered Australian Charity.

Communicate and promote the conservation of Cetaceans (Whales and Dolphins) and marine life and environment through targeted research in the South West of Australia.

08/06/2026

World Ocean Day 2026🐬🐋

On the 8th of June every year we highlight the need for everyone to be guardians of our marine ecosystems. Emphasising the importance our oceans are to daily life, biodiversity and fostering sustainable coexistence.

Whether you are out on the water or on the shoreline, there are ways to assist. From removing debris and disposing of it responsibly, to just monitoring your environmental surroundings to reduce your impact on our marine life.

Here is a mum and calf bottlenose dolphin which have recently been struck, likely by a boat, in separate incidents. While mum is showing how resilient they can be and healing well, the injury to her calf has assisted in it becoming entangled in fishing line and seaweed. They are being monitored regularly.

We can coexist🌊

05/06/2026

World Environment Day provides a timely reminder of the importance of conserving the beautiful natural world around us and a call to action for the protection of species such as the magnificent blue whale.

Understanding species distribution and migratory patterns is critical to the conservation of species as it allows for the effective planning and management of offshore activities that may impact on them. Surprisingly, despite considerable research effort of the past couple of decades there is still so much we do not know about where these animals go and when.

We are currently hard at work, analyzing our long term visual and acoustic observation data from around Australia and Timor Leste, and satellite tracking data to better understand blue whale migratory patterns and produce research outputs that will inform improved conservation and management for the species.

📷 Under permit

20/05/2026

With more and more Humpbacks passing our coast each year the overlap of these animals and human fishing activities is increasing, leading to an increase in the incidence of entanglements.

WA's DPIRD is working hard to reduce the risks of entanglements and has invested in the use of new technology including infra-red cameras stationed around the coast to better understand the overlap of marine animals and fisheries. But did you know that you can help too?

By reporting sightings of marine fauna to DPIRD's online database using the below link, you can contribute to DPIRD's efforts to map entanglement risk.

https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/online-tools/marine-fauna-sightings/

If you do see an entangled marine mammal, report it to DBCA by calling the Wildcare helpline on 9474 9055

🎥 last season in Geographe Bay under permit.

12/05/2026

The first few years of dolphin calves lives are the most important. This is the time their mother's hunting skills are passed down to them, giving them the best chance of survival.

Here is an important lesson for 1 year old calf 'Cocoa' witnessing his mother's technique to catch and safely consume an octopus. Octopuses pose a significant hazard to a dolphin, with the suction cups potentially blocking their blow hole or becoming stuck in their throat, sometimes a fatal mistake.

First removing its head, then continuously tossing and thrashing the tentacles, to ensure it is completely immobile before consuming, this little calf is learning a valuable life lesson from his mother🐬

11/05/2026

We are excited to announce that the first publication from Geographe Marine Research innovative the Bay Blues project has been released.

In November 2023 and 2024, we undertook an ambitious research program that combined fixed, autonomous, and hand-held acoustic platforms, satellite tagging, biopsies, eDNA sampling, drone observations, and both land and boat based visual observers.

The intent of the program was to deliver a proof of concept for best-practice, holistic marine mammal research, collecting multiple streams of multidisciplinary data to answer key questions on species behaviour, habitat use and population-level resilience. The project was a step forward in the design and delivery of multidisciplinary research and serves as a case study in how collaboration and community engagement can strengthen and support the delivery of research outcomes.

The first publication from the project provides new insight into the ecological context of Geographe Bay for migrating baleen whales. We investigated the bay's potential role as an opportunistic foraging ground, particularly for species such as pygmy blue whales, which are typically considered krill specialists but may exhibit dietary flexibility under varying prey conditions.

Over 3 years, drone-based observations recorded frequent baleen whale defecation events. To examine the underlying prey availability, this study provides the first investigation of applying environmental DNA metabarcoding using plankton tows within the bay to assess potential food availability for baleen whales.

The strong dominance of copepods, paired with behavioural evidence and the distinctive faecal pigmentation observed, supports the hypothesis that whales may be actively foraging in Geographe Bay. These findings highlight Geographe Bay as not only a sheltered resting habitat, particularly for mother/calf pairs, but as a potentially energetically valuable area that may help buffer whales against variable offshore prey availability.

Special thanks to all of our volunteers and funding partners.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00227-026-04830-9

30/04/2026

Massive thanks to all involved in relieving dolphin calf 'Coupe' from a fishing line entanglement.

Whilst not totally out of the woods it is now free to go back to being a dolphin calf again and will be closely monitored.

A timely reminder to discard of unwanted fishing gear responsibly and not to feed the dolphins if approached.

If you are out fishing and dolphins do approach please wind your lines in, it will only last a couple of minutes, they are just passing by.

Swim strong Coupe🐬

22/04/2026

🌿🌏🐬 Earth Day 🌊🐋🍃

This Earth Day we are grateful for being able to contribute to the conservation and management of our local marine species through our ongoing scientific research. But you don't have to be a scientist to help your favourite species. All of these beautiful marine mammals are threatened by climate change and human waste, and we can all do our bit to reduce our impact.

Reducing our climate and waste footprint starts at home. Below are a few simple ideas of how to be more eco conscious, as a bonus, most of these choices can save us money too!

🌏 Reduce, reuse and recycle plastics and cardboard
🌏 Turn off appliances and water when not in use
🌏 Walk, ride or catch public transport when possible
🌏 Shop local and only purchase what we need
🌏 Be mindful in our use of electricity

Small changes all add up, particularly when lots of people make them!

To see more of what we are up to in the research space, and support our ongoing conservation efforts, visit marineresearch.org.au

📷 Under permit Rodney Peterson

13/04/2026

Second calf of the season has arrived in the Leschenault Estuary🐬

Dolphin mum 'Tipex', easily identifiable by her dorsal, or lack thereof, was in the estuary this morning showing off her new calf to the resident dolphin population.

Tipex was struck by some form of marine vessel last year resulting in most of her dorsal being severed. Because of that she has become a well known dolphin from the Bunbury population and occasionally wanders into the estuary system.

She most likely sought to have her calf in the relatively safe waters away from vessel traffic, among her local friends, and a couple that have self relocated from the Mandurah region not so long ago.

While crabbing season is coming to an end with the change of weather, if you are out and about please keep an eye out for the dolphins while this little one starts its journey into life🐬

07/04/2026

Flying fish🐟

Shallow water hunting dolphins often use a technique called tail-whacking, a high speed manoeuvre crashing a school of fish, or even the ability to single out an individual using their tail fluke.

This foraging behaviour stuns and dazes the fish in order to create an easy meal and the technique is often passed on from the mother to her calf.

Being so close to the shoreline, the result can be the fish can become high and dry, likely becoming a feed for the birds that often follow.

02/03/2026

This date last year the Leschenault Estuary welcomed new life🐬

Little 'Cocoa' had a bit of a tough start, with a mother that has never knowingly had a surviving calf before. Well today, he has his first birthday and is definitely a character just like his mum and he's often seen annoying his older cousins.

The rapid growth can be seen over the last 12 months and is now one tough dolphin calf. Footage from the day he was born until recently.

Happy birthday Cocoa!

Address

Dunsborough, WA

Website

http://Marineresearch.org.au/

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