FAQs

Having pods of wild dolphins living within an urban area is a wonderful thing. It bestows upon us a responsibility to look after the environment that the dolphins rely on for their survival. The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary (ADS) arose from calls by the community to do just that – to protect the dolphins and their environment.

The purpose of the ADS management plan is to set out the Government of South Australia’s plans to achieve the objects and objectives of the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Act 2005. It charts the direction for the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to pursue in partnership with the wide range of stakeholders who use, manage and protect the Sanctuary. This is a seven-year plan which will be completed in stages and supported by the development of annual implementation programs.

As per Section 11(3) Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Act 2005, it is required that the Minister reviews the management plan periodically. Like the previous ADS management plan, the new plan must ensure that the objectives of the Act are delivered. These have not changed.

The previous ADS plan sought to provide guidance to NPWS Rangers by prescribing a total of 65 detailed operational level actions. This prescriptive style plan became less adaptable to the challenges and opportunities that evolved over time. The current draft ADS plan is more strategic and enabling, with the delivery detail outlined in the annual implementation programs.

The new management strategies in the plan are also an outcome from reviewing the challenges and opportunities facing the Sanctuary. They have incorporated outcomes from the DEW led investigation into dolphin deaths in the ADS in 2021-2022 and an inquiry formed from the Select Committee of the Legislative Council to investigate further legislative and policy measures to better protect the dolphins in the ADS.

It has also incorporated greater recognition of climate change, Kaurna community interests, growth in nature-based tourism and the interface with planning and development.

Developing partnerships with South Australian universities and researchers to learn more about the dolphin population, the threats they face and the strategies to address those threats is a strong focus in the draft plan. Past successes, such as community engagement and education activities, regulatory compliance activities and input into development planning processes, will be maintained under the new plan.

There are around 20 resident dolphins that use the ADS regularly. However, another several hundred animals have been sighted within the ADS but are considered transients, as they also spend time outside the sanctuary boundaries. Individual dolphins use the Sanctuary in different ways. Depending on how they use the area, animals are classed as either resident or transient individuals.

The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) is the SA Government agency responsible for the administration of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, under which marine mammals are protected, and the Animal Welfare Act 1985, under which animal welfare is managed.

Under this legislation DEW maintains a ‘Marine Mammal Intervention Policy’, which provides the appropriate government approvals, that recognises that dolphins are a protected wild species, and as such, intervention is practiced only where it is deemed to be of clear benefit to the health of the animal. Decisions to employ invasive research procedures in the Sanctuary are informed by a number of experts, including a Dolphin Expert Reference Group, made up of independent, qualified veterinarians and experts with experience in the management of marine mammals. The Minister for Climate, Environment and Water would also be kept informed if invasive research procedures were needed to be employed on dolphins in the ADS.

Where a response and form of intervention is considered to be in the animal’s best interests, the department’s National Parks and Wildlife Service maintains the skills, experience and capability required to manage these operations. The capability of DEW’s team has been well demonstrated over many years, through a number of successful marine mammal intervention, rescue and disentanglement exercises across our State. Where appropriate, the department works alongside third party organisations, seeks independent veterinary and wildlife advice, and works with volunteers and the community in the ADS.

The provision of antibiotics to wild animals is not routinely undertaken by DEW. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, and should be used only when required. Providing antibiotics to a wild animal is not an action that should be taken lightly, particularly as a single dose is likely to prove ineffective and a full course would require capture, confinement of the animal and multiple handling episodes, imposing a significant level of stress on a wild animal. The use of antibiotics in wildlife species requires judicious consideration and clear clinical evidence to support application. Whilst antibiotics may be prescribed commonly for humans and companion animals, to do so for wild animals without a clear diagnosis of a bacterial infection, coupled with the stress of multiple handling events and prolonged confinement, would be contrary to best practice and the animal’s best interests.

When managing wildlife species under the National Parks and Wildlife Act1972 and the Animal Welfare Act 1985, with associated policies and procedures, DEW endeavours to always act in the best interests of our wildlife. A core principle includes ensuring that wild animals remain wild, and are not dependent on human support and regular intervention for survival. This is critical to ensuring the long term sustainability of wildlife populations for future generations.

National Parks and Wildlife Service has a scientific monitoring program for dolphins in the ADS, which ultimately provides us with a better understanding of dolphin ecology and behaviour. Rangers undertake regular boat-based scientific surveys of the ADS dolphin population, collecting demographic, behavioural and photo identification data. So far, more than 200 animals have been identified by citizen scientists. Rangers also regularly work with Volunteer Rangers, volunteer groups and commercial tour operators to monitor individual dolphins, with a particular focus on calves and sick/injured animals.

National Parks and Wildlife Service rangers also assist with water quality monitoring by collecting water samples when requested by the EPA.

Community input will be considered in finalising the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Management Plan. Your feedback may help inform the future management directions for this important area.

A community consultation report and the ADS Management Plan will be provided to the Parks and Wilderness Council prior to adoption by the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water.

As the dolphins in the ADS live within a highly industrial and recreationally used area, they are exposed to multiple threats. There isn’t one specific issue that poses the greatest threat for ADS dolphins. Rather, it is the combination of threats (e.g. pollution, vessel presence, entanglement in fishing gear) that places ADS dolphins at risk.

More research is needed to determine the extent of these threats to dolphins. For example, a more focused approach to the monitoring of stormwater may be of benefit to potentially target and reduce secondary infections from disease pathogens entering the ADS through stormwater. Targeted monitoring of dolphins’ dietary sources for a range of pollutants that have potential for bioaccumulation through the food chain is another research program the management plan encourages.  Researching how recreational activities within the area (e.g. boating/kayaking) can interrupt and change dolphin behaviour, such as feeding and socialising would also provide further valuable knowledge. 

The ADS management plan highlights the critical role collective partnerships play, especially with research organisations, to better address some of the current research concerns. The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) will play a lead role in partnering with Australian universities and researchers to better understand and respond to these threats.

A recently emerging threat to dolphins is the use of heavy-gauge fishing gear. A review of risks posed to ADS dolphins by heavy-gauge fishing gear and large and/or live baits was undertaken. New regulations relating to gear size under the Fisheries Management Act are being trialed.

Concerns have been expressed in recent years that many ADS dolphins have been struck and killed by speeding boats. Since the inception of the ADS in 2005, post mortem examinations on deceased dolphins conducted by specialists at the SA Museum have confirmed 3 deaths by boat strike. A further 13 post mortems have recorded varying degrees of ‘blunt force trauma’ (i.e. severe internal bruising/hemorrhaging), however, injuries consistent with boat strike were not evident. Many of the dolphins with severe blunt trauma also showed evidence of other diseases or factors which could have contributed to the animal’s death, for example, dolphin morbillivirus, a highly contagious disease which can cause pneumonia and encephalitis, often resulting in mortality events.

Vessel strike is, however, an ongoing risk to ADS dolphins, especially in such a high-use commercial and recreational waterway as Port Adelaide. In April 2019, following a community consultation process, revised speed limits were introduced in the inner waters of the ADS. The new speed limits provide improved safety for the resident dolphins and for popular human recreational activities, such as kayaking.

There are many ways that you can help our local dolphins:

• Always dispose of rubbish in bins and be responsible with your fishing gear.
• Never be tempted to feed them. You may think you are helping the animal, but you are not
• If you are an angler, know and apply the rule to reel in lines if dolphins come within 50m of you. This could prevent an entanglement or accidental hooking of a dolphin
• If you’re in a kayak or boat, know and apply the legal approach distances. Let the dolphins come to you.
• Adhere to boat speed restrictions within the Port River and Barker Inlet.
• If you see an entangled or injured dolphin, report it to the NPWS duty officer 0427 556 676.