SOLOMONS, MD — In an ongoing effort to track bottlenose dolphins in the Chesapeake Bay, researchers from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s (UMCES) Chesapeake Biological Laboratory have tapped into a powerful resource: the public. Since the introduction of the Chesapeake DolphinWatch App in 2017, over 14,600 users have registered, contributing to more than 7,000 reported dolphin sightings.
UMCES Professor Tom Miller, who currently leads the initiative, emphasized the role of community involvement. “We are about to begin our eighth year of leveraging citizen scientists to understand the biology and ecology of bottlenose dolphins in the Chesapeake Bay,” Miller stated. The app collects vital data such as the time, date, GPS location, and number of dolphins spotted, which are enhanced with user-submitted photos and videos.
Initially, bottlenose dolphins were considered rare visitors to the bay. However, the installation of underwater microphones revealed more frequent visits than previously thought. This prompted a more structured observation method, leading to the launch of the DolphinWatch app. Miller noted that the app not only allows users to record sightings but also to view others’ findings, helping to pinpoint where dolphins have been observed recently.
The data gathered has shown that dolphin activity in the Chesapeake Bay is largely seasonal. Sightings increase from May to September, extending northward as the waters warm and fish populations increase. “We know from the sounds we hear underwater that dolphins are actively feeding during much of their time in the Chesapeake Bay,” said Miller. He also mentioned that the bay serves as a nursery, with photographs showing young dolphins alongside their mothers.
The DolphinWatch program is a critical tool for researchers to collect, analyze, and synthesize data to better understand how dolphins utilize the bay. The team works to verify each sighting through photo evidence or detailed descriptions, ensuring the reliability of the information for scientific analysis.
For those interested in participating or learning more about the research, additional information is available at www.umces.edu/dolphinwatch. The program also maintains active social media presence on Facebook and Instagram, offering updates on sightings and interactive content about dolphins.
This initiative is supported by the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, the Chesapeake Bay Trust, and contributions from the JES Avanti Foundation and DolphinWatch users themselves. Those looking to support the program can contact Tom Miller at miller@umces.edu.
Located at the confluence of the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay, the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory is a historic site and a leader in research on fisheries, estuarine ecology, and aquatic ecosystems.
