Citizen Scientists Keep Watch on Victor Harbor Dolphins Amid Bird Flu Threat

Citizen scientists are playing a crucial role in monitoring the health of dolphins in Victor Harbor, as concerns grow about the threat of bird flu in the region. The volunteers, who have been tracking the dolphin population for years, are now also on the lookout for signs of the viral infection.

Nedra Haines has been monitoring the dolphins off the coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula for 14 years, as part of the Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch Group. She has helped to compile a catalogue of 140 bottlenose dolphins and 50 common dolphins, identifying them through the shape and markings of their dorsal fins.

The information collected by Ms Haines and her group is fed into the South Australian government's state biological database. The dolphin watchers were some of the first to spot the early signs of a harmful algal bloom before it became a major issue in local beaches.

Ms Haines said that while the days of the bloom had been depressing, she had watched over the dolphins, diligently recording any signs of irritation to their thick, rubbery skins. Now, she is watching to see if they show any signs of the viral infection.

"If they're swimming crazy, if they're off balance. Just any neurological defects, [we] definitely keep an eye out for things like that," Ms Haines said.

On a recent boat trip, there was no behaviour to suggest the dolphins were anything but healthy. Those seen displayed playful antics, including tail slapping, curiosity, and even some carrying of seaweed.

Also on board was Samantha Sea from the group Phytoplankton of South Australia, which formed in response to the lack of data available during the early days of the algal bloom. She takes water samples home and prepares them for analysis.

The information from Ms Sea and the network of volunteers is being sent for use by researchers and government. The group was recently awarded the title of South Australian Citizen Science Champions for 2026.

Ms Sea noted that constant monitoring is still important, even though low levels of the Karenia algal species are now being recorded.

"We don't understand the ocean. Not well," Ms Sea said, noting that before the bloom there was no baseline for normal levels of algae.

Dr. Nikola Streiber, a scientist at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium, also collected water samples in 9-litre buckets from three different sites during the bloom. She remains ready to start again when needed, aware that the bloom could recur given the right conditions.

"We can't predict it for certain because Karenia cristata is able to survive on the bottom of the ocean; it forms little cysts, and they can spring back to life," Dr Streiber said. "That's why the ongoing monitoring is so important."