Coastal Dolphin Survey Project

Coastal Dolphin Survey Project of Orange Coast College focus on the population dynamics and behavior of the coastal bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) along Crystal Cove, CA and use of Newport Harbor, CA.
Lindsay S. King (Student Director CDSP) and Dennis L. Kelly, Professor & Project Director.
Marine Science Department, Orange Coast College, 2701 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa, CA 92628

INTRODUCTION

Photo by Dennis Kelly

Photo by Sgt. Hollenbeck

Photo by Lindsay King

Photo by Google Maps

A land based study of the behavior and ongoing use of Newport Harbor and Crystal Cove, CA by Coastal Bottlenose Dolphins
(Tursiops truncatus) was conducted between the months of March to December 2011. During this time a behavior budget was developed for activity observed in Crystal Cove while sightings of dolphins by the public in Newport Harbor were catalogued. Data was collected through onsite observations by 2 or more observers at a time. A Dorsal fin ID method was also used to determine individual dolphins that may be using the area more frequently than others. A total of 38 dolphins were observed from the Research cottage at Crystal Cove where the majority of activity consisted of unidirectional travel. Only 1 sighting in Newport Harbor was received and was logged in the data that has been collected since 2007. All of the findings suggest that both Crystal Cove and Newport Harbor are greatly used by coastal bottlenose dolphin and suggests more research be done to determine the importance of these areas.

Photo by Sgt. Hollenbeck

ABSTRACT

DATA
Chart #1

The following is a summary report on the results of a population dynamics study that was carried out between March and
December 2011 in Crystal Cove, Orange County, California. The focal animal of these studies was the California coastal bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Also, this report documents our efforts and success at student education about coastal bottlenose dolphin

References: truncates). October 22, 2010. Orange Coast College, Marine Science Department Report for the Coastal Dolphin Survey Project (CDSP) When a sighting was made, the volunteers filled out a sighting sheet, which recorded number of dolphins observed, direction of travel, location, and behavior observed (Weaver, 2009). Weaver, Anne Ch., Revised by Shauna burlin (2002) and Lindsay King (2009). Cetacean Behavior Notebook 2009. Orange Coast College Marine Science Department Photo-identification was accomplished using a very specific method that the students were trained in at the orientation meeting (Bennett, 2000), before any sightings were made