Dolphin Spotter: A Land-Based Citizen Science Project

Calling all Citizen Scientists!

Do you enjoy taking photos of wildlife? Are you interested in contributing to dolphin research? FAU Harbor Branch invites you to participate in our new land-based Dolphin Spotter citizen science project.

Photo identification is a non-invasive, opportunistic technique that is used to collect information about wild dolphin populations. Photos submitted by Dolphin Spotters will complement the research being conducted by the FAU Harbor Branch Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment team. With thousands of miles along Florida’s coastline, land-based citizen scientists can capture areas that our traditional surveys don’t reach, while providing valuable insights on the day-to-day habitat use and behaviors of our resident dolphin populations. Together these efforts play a critical role in understanding Florida’s wild dolphins and conserving this important species.

How to Participate:

1. Register HERE to become a Dolphin Spotter!
2. Download the WatchSpotter App on your mobile device.
3. From land, take photos of dolphins with your personal camera or cellphone.
4. Submit your photos through the WatchSpotter App or map below. Project code and app information will be provided through email after registration.
5. Check out the interactive map below to see where dolphin sightings are being reported!

Watch the tutorial video below to learn more about this project.

Note: This video is a required step for participation and will be included on the Registration Form.

Spotting Stations

Are you interested in hosting a Spotting Station? Do you live along the water? Citizens can install trail cameras along their docks or other waterfront structures to capture images of dolphins as they travel into coastal areas. These stations will allow for continuous monitoring of dolphins within areas that may not be along traditional survey routes.

How to Host a Spotting Station:

1. Download the Spotting Station Instruction Manual and follow all the steps to purchase, install, and register your Spotting Station.
2. Collect images of dolphins using your trail camera.
3. Submit your photos through the WatchSpotter App or map below. Project code and app information will be provided through email after registration.
4. Check out the interactive map below to see where Spotting Stations are capturing images of dolphins!

Watch the video below to learn more about this project.

Note: This video is a required step for participation and will be included on the Registration Form.

For questions about the Dolphin Spotter project or Spotting Stations please contact Samantha McGuire at smcguire2015@fau.edu.

Would members of your club or organization like to participate in this project? Click here to request a presentation and tutorial for your group.

Explore the map below to learn more about the data collected by Dolphin Spotter citizen scientists and images collected by registered Spotting Stations. Sign-in/Register to the map below (after registering to the program – see above) to submit your sightings or use the WatchSpotter App! Please note that each submission is reviewed before it is posted on the map.

This project was supported by the Protect Wild Dolphins Florida specialty license plate, which is administered by the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation.