Bottlenose Dolphin conservation

Bottlenose dolphins are listed as nationally endangered in New Zealand, and unfortunately their populations are in decline. The dolphins are particularly threatened as they are a coastal species and are therefore are at an increased exposure to heavy boat traffic activity which can disrupt their behaviour. Bottlenose dolphins are often seen around the coast (even from the beach) off the north-east North Island. Great Barrier Island has been identified as an important area for these animals, but at the moment, we're not entirely sure why. The aim of my project is to identify exactly why Great Barrier Island is an important habitat for these animals. I also wish to study their above-surface and sub-surface behaviour as well as their acoustic behaviour in this area. This will help to identify how the dolphins behave in the absence of heavy boat traffic in comparison to other areas of frequent vessel traffic.