Towards the end of July 2025, the Dolphin Research Institute experienced two incredible days on the water!
The first survey began as an impromptu trip and quickly turned into a record-breaking day when our researchers David and Ella encountered an estimated 80 to 100 common dolphins just off Mornington.
From this encounter alone, the team successfully identified 64 unique individuals, making it the highest number of dolphins ever photographed and identified by the Institute in Port Phillip on a single day.
With such a large, widespread group travelling and feeding together and with fading winter light setting in, it was no small feat to capture these fins for ID. Nearly 3,000 photographs were taken during the survey, followed by many hours of careful photo sorting and matching to identify individuals.
Among the highlights from this first survey was the resighting of a dolphin known as Round Mid Notch (below), an individual not been seen on Port Phillip surveys since 2018. Her appearance marks seven years between sightings, the longest gap so far recorded for an individual in Port Phillip. This survey also included a sighting of Traveller and her new calf, recently shared in a separate update.
Shortly after this initial survey, the team were on the water again for a second survey, once again encountering around 80 to 100 common dolphins. When data from both survey days were combined, we could confirm a total of 78 unique individuals were identified across the two days.
During the second survey, many of the dolphins were observed feeding in smaller groups, often accompanied by seabirds. Fish could be seen leaping clear of the water in attempts to evade dolphins just below the surface (below).
To our delight Missing Jaw, a well-known individual first documented in 2016, also made an appearnce. As the name suggests, this dolphin is missing the upper portion of its jaw. Despite this significant injury, Missing Jaw continues to survive and thrive, and has been sighted in most winters and springs since first being recorded. On this occasion, Missing Jaw was seen feeding and travelling alongside Scoop, another familiar transient dolphin they are often observed with.
The second survey also included an important reminder of the broader marine environment. A Subantarctic fur seal was spotted bearing visible scars from a recent entanglement. This individual is known to have been successfully disentangled by the Marine Response Unit earlier in July, making its sighting a positive sign of recovery following intervention.
Every sighting of common dolphins, whether from our dedicated research surveys or from citizen scientists, adds pieces to the puzzle. Dolphins can be identified by the unique shape and markings on their dorsal fins, which means that photos taken by our community can help track individuals and uncover important stories like Traveller’s.
If you’ve spotted dolphins (especially around Port Phillip or Western Port) and have photos, we’d love to see them! You can report your sightings through PodWatch, and help us better understand these amazing animals.
