The University of the Sunshine Coast is inviting citizen scientists to become trained ‘dolphin spotters’ who can help find answers to some of the many mysteries that still surround Australia’s dolphins.
Marine life enthusiasts can learn how to collect data any time they spot a dolphin from headlands, on a boat or simply walking on the beach, at a free one-day training workshop in Noosa Heads this Saturday.
“This is an ideal opportunity for anyone who has always wanted to be a citizen scientist, or is interested in finding out more about becoming a marine biologist or dolphin researcher,” said UniSC animal behaviouralist Dr Alexis Levengood.
“With such a large region to cover, it’s difficult for researchers to gather the vast amount of data we need on threatened, charismatic megafauna in our ocean without the help of citizen scientists,” Dr Levengood said.
“The data our newly trained dolphin spotters collect will contribute to advancing our understanding of these iconic coastal animals and our ability to better protect them.”
The workshop will involve a morning of theory, data collection skills and presentations on the latest UniSC research at The J Noosa community hub at Noosa Heads, followed by a land-based search for dolphins along the headlands in the afternoon.
Bookings are essential. You can go to the Facebook page Dolphin Sightings SEQ to register.
The workshop runs from 8.30am-4pm on March 29.
