A little-known species of dolphin, found only in northern Australia, is taking a battering from boats and lost fishing gear off the WA tourist town of Broome.
Nearly two thirds of the Snubfin Dolphins that live in Roebuck Bay show injuries from boat hits and fishing gear snags, a new report shows.
Dolphin researcher Deborah Thiele wrote the report for the conservation organisation WWF, which is working with the Broome community to minimise harm to the animals.
Dr Thiele identified 161 Snubfins in the bay, finding nearly two thirds had injuries such as deep gashes and line marks and in some cases completely severed dorsal fins.
The problem occurred because the dolphins' foraging and socialising grounds overlapped the heavily used recreational fishing zone in the bay, she told AAP.
Dr Thiele said the slow-moving dolphins, often in shallow water, were hit by speeding boats across the bay.
Even more injuries were caused by lost or discarded fishing line and hooks that cut into the animals' skins.
Dr Thiele has worked with the Roebuck Bay Working Group, set up to protect the bay's ecosystem, on guidelines to minimise harm to the dolphins, dugongs, turtles and other wildlife.
"My purpose is not to stop any fishing, my purpose is to get people who are fishing to slow down and to try and look after their line and just by doing that I think we're going to make a huge difference," she said.
The Snubfin Dolphin was only recently recognised as Australia's only endemic dolphin, found in tropical coastal waters across northern Australia.
Until 2005, they were thought to be Irrawaddy Dolphins found in Asia, but they are now classified as a separate species.
WWF's spokeswoman on tropical marine species, Lydia Gibson, said the number of injuries seen in Roebuck Bay meant it was likely dolphins had died, while injured animals would find it harder to feed and socialise.
She said raising awareness was key, but state, territory and federal governments must also work together to protect areas crucial to the Snubfins' survival, including more research, which could see it put on the threatened list.
Environment Minister Donna Faragher has said the WA government would commit nearly $30,000 for more research on Snubfins and there were opportunities for establishing a marine park at Roebuck Bay.
Broome Fishing Club president Jeff Cooper said the club was keen to ensure the Snubfins were unharmed, but tourists needed to be educated about how to protect the animals in the bay.
via news.smh.com.au
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