Key points Eight eco-volunteers joined us over a six-week period.
27 dolphins were identified in the Tiputa area in July and August.
Two new dolphins were observed at the end of August.
Reminder of the regulations concerning the approach of cetaceans in Polynesia.
In July and August, the monitoring of bottlenose dolphins was carried out with our eco-volunteers Our eco-volunteering program was, this year, conducted from mid-July to the end of August and allowed us to welcome eight participants over a six-week period: Audrey, Benoît, Marine, Sarah, Thomas, Emma, Nathalie and Laurence all faced the threat of a lockdown to join our work on bottlenose dolphins, in partnership with the NGO Objectif Sciences International, the Teina & Marie pension, the Rangiroa Diving Center and with the support of the Relais de Joséphine. A big thank you to our participants for their commitment and enthusiasm!
What about the observations made during these six weeks?
On the weather side, the weather was rather unstable, alternating between periods of strong wind and periods of calm... The outings at sea and on land nevertheless allowed us to observe 22 of the 28 dolphins currently members of the Tiputa community, as well as five individuals identified for the first time this year: a great harvest! Underwater, the males Maui and Yuki were particularly present. Furthermore, the two young dolphins born in April 2021 were encountered several times, with their mother or accompanied by a babysitter.
Other beautiful observations punctuated this season, including manta rays, eagle rays, many sailfish, a tiger shark and several hawksbill turtles.
As usual, our eco-volunteers were trained, briefed, followed and supervised, which allowed them to become experts in individual dolphin identification and to be sensitized to the study of the behavior of these animals.
We finally noted an increased frequentation of the Tiputa site in July and August, with sometimes about fifteen boats in the area and, in general, a number of sea users much higher than that of the cetaceans present!
The authorities provide an update on the approach of wild and protected species in Polynesia In June and July last, the Direction de l'Environnement de Polynésie française published two communiqués to remind the rules of prudence to adopt in the presence of a wild animal as well as the regulations concerning the approach of protected species in the territory. Indeed, "social networks are full of photos and videos showing interactions of divers with wild animals". The administration also broadcast a video showing that it is possible to carry out a dive respectful of wild animals and reminds that "any action intended to obtain a specific reaction from a wild animal for its simple entertainment can be dangerous and is strictly prohibited by the Environmental Code".