Dolphins & Whales (Cetacean) Conservation Project
The coastal ecosystem of Zanzibar is rich in biological resources including long, white sandy beaches, diverse coral reefs and mangroves, a rich cultural history and traditions, and abundant marine and terrestrial wildlife. It is listed as one of the top 34 Global Biodiversity Hotspots - harbouring more species of plant and animal life than anywhere else on Earth.
Kizimkazi off the south-western tip of Zanzibar, is known for its populations of semi-habituated bottlenose dolphins and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, which can be found in the coastal shallows throughout the year. During the daytime they often come close to shore to rest, feed and socialise. The frequent sightings of calves also indicate that this area is a breeding ground for both types of dolphins. The Menai Bay area, and indeed the whole of the southern tip of Zanzibar also supports a number of green and hawksbill turtles.
In order to create a structured and managed dolphin tourist industry within the Menai Bay, Camps International are developing a conservation initiative in partnership with KIDATOA (Kizimkazi Dolphin Tourism Operators Association) aimed at educating the local communities to preserve their marine environment and to carefully manage the dolphin tourist activities. This ensures that this important economic activity is sustainable and involves the community so that it is able to benefit from the activity and at the same time conserve the dolphins.
The 4-day course is designed to give you a taster into practical cetacean conservation work and gives you the opportunity to learn new skills and make a valuable contribution to the protection of Zanzibar’s dolphins and whales. Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in conservation and research, or simply have a passion for marine mammals this course offers an informative and entertaining insight into ways of conserving these amazing animals.
Highlights
- 4 day cetacean conservation course
- Learn practical conservation skills
- Key involvement in ongoing cetacean conservation projects
- Exclusive cetacean theory and practical workshop
- Indian Ocean Beach location
- Enhances your CV and gives you a competitive advantage in conservation
Course outline
Our 4-day Marine Mammal programme combines practical presentations and discussions on marine mammal biology, ecology and conservation. The course is lead by the very qualified KIDOTOA research team who are based in Kizimkazi, and is designed for anyone with an interest in cetacean (whale and dolphin) research.
The course consists of illustrated lectures and video presentations as well as dolphin watching aboard a local dolphin-watching vessel. The practical element of the course combines both land and boat-based guiding allowing participants to directly learn about the whale or dolphin watch trip, the skills needed for species field identification and individual identification of dolphins in Menai Bay and interpretation of different cetacean behaviours.
Key Cetacean Conservation Objectives
- Reducing bycatch of dolphin
- Maintain and enhance measures to reduce by catch of dolphins in drift and bottom set gillnets
- Minimising tourism disturbance to dolphins
- Promote public awareness and voluntary user compliance with dolphin watching guidelines through educational programmes
- Increase knowledge of dolphin biology, ecology and behaviour
- Ongoing research and monitoring
Make effective use of research results by incorporating them into information and interpretation programmes.- Collaborate with the public and private organisations in promoting compatible use of the area by coordinating surveys and monitoring programmes and by exchanging information concerning commercial and recreational use of the area
- Education and interpretation
- Broaden public support for the conservation area and management by offering programmes suited to visitors of diverse interest, ages, and skills
- Provide for public involvement by encouraging feedback on the effectiveness of interpretive projects
- The development of outreach programmes
Day 1 (Theory)
- Introduction on the local marine/coastal ecosystems and their importance to the local livelihood and dolphins
- Basic biology and ecology of whales and dolphins. Presentations will include whale and dolphin biology, ecology, behaviour and the conservation and anthropogenic impacts of local species. The presentations provide information on local research on dolphin population in Menai Bay Conservation Area
- Discuss case study (Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin population and distribution) in Menai Bay Conservation Area
DAY 2 (Theory)
- Introduction to research techniques (e.g. photo identification, mark-recapture method, line transect method, etc) used in Menai Bay Conservation Area
- Presentation on whale and dolphin watching and its importance
- Dolphin watching video presentations
- Discussion on how survey data are used in conservation of species
Day 3 and 4 (At sea)
2 half-day field trips at sea to watch dolphins and learn how dolphin watching is conducted in Menai Bay Conservation Area off Kizimkazi. The trips are used to demonstrate whale and dolphin watching as a way to increase knowledge about cetaceans and the marine environment, while contributing to the conservation of these endangered species.
Other topics covered on these 2 days are:
- Dolphin behaviour
- Behaviour indicating disturbance
- Safety issues including boat and diving safety and the fact that dolphins are wild animals.
