Algoa Bay: The Bottlenose Dolphin Capital of the World

This year will see Algoa Bay being launched as the Bottlenose Dolphin Capital of the World and being celebrated with an annual Dolphin Festival during October, the marine month.

Launching of the Bottlenose Dolphin Capital of the World

The launching of Algoa Bay as the Bottlenose Dolphin Capital of the World took place on the 18th April 2016 at the Algoa Bay Yacht Club.  Supported by the Licensed Boat Based Dolphin and Whale Watching Permit holders for Algoa Bay, the Algoa Bay Hope Spot, the Baywatch Marine Conservation Project, and Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism. Two guests of honour were the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Tokosile Xasa, and the CEO of Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism, Mandlakazi Skefile.

Scientific evidence in support of the Bottlenose Dolphin Capital

Scientific research conducted in the 1990s by leading South African cetacean scientist, Dr Vic Cockcroft from the Centre for Dolphin Studies, revealed that approximately 20 000 Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins Tursiops aduncus, were making use of Algoa Bay.

In a recent study of the population of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in Algoa Bay, Ryan Reisinger and Leszek Karczmarski* used a photographic data set of over 10 000 ID-images, which enabled them to accurately identify 1 569 individual dolphins by distinctive markings, such as deep notches, on the edges of their dorsal fins. Subsequently, photo-identification data collected on 54 occasions during a 3-yr-study period could be used in a ‘mark-recapture’ statistical analysis (without, you will note, having had to touch a dolphin to be marked or recaptured!). This estimated a population of 28 482 individuals. Ryan and Leszek concluded this was the: “LARGEST POPULATION ESTIMATE TO DATE FOR THIS SPECIES ALONG THE SOUTH AFRICAN COAST, suggesting that the bottlenose dolphins inhabiting the Algoa Bay region represent part of a substantially larger population that ranges along a considerable length of the South African coast” (Reisinger & Karczmarski, 2010; emphasis by capitalisation is ours).

World Cetacean Alliance (WCA)

During a presentation given at the World Whale Conference in the Azores Islands held during October 2015, delegates were amazed to see the size of the Bottlenose Dolphin schools frequently spotted in the bay: nowhere else in the world are such large schools seen. As a result of these findings, overwhelming support for launching Algoa Bay, as the Bottlenose Dolphin Capital of the World was garnered.

Worldwide appeal of Bottlenose Dolphins

Bottlenose dolphins are appealing to people worldwide. The permanent smiles on their faces and the interactions they have with people make them a hot favourite.

Port Elizabeth Dolphin Festival

Algoa Bay as the Bottlenose Capital of the World will be celebrated with an annual Dolphin Festival. The Whale and Oyster festivals of Hermanus and Knysna respectively have gained local and international popularity and are of much economic benefit to the communities there. The Dolphin Festival will certainly bring delight to local residents, as well as visitors, and attract further national and international attention to Port Elizabeth.

*Reference: Reisinger, Ryan and Karczmarski, Leszek. 2010. Population size estimate of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in the Algoa Bay region, South Africa. Journal of Marine Mammal Science 26(1):86–97.