The Chesapeake DolphinWatch program, based at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Solomons, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Since launching in 2016, the participatory science project has engaged more than 20,000 registered users who have reported over 11,000 dolphin sightings across the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
The free app allows community members to record and view bottlenose dolphin sightings from boats or shore. The data collected represents the only long-term dataset of its kind for dolphins in the Bay, according to program officials.
“DolphinWatch continues to be CBL’s flagship citizen science program. Not only does it engage tens of thousands of community members in marine conservation, but the information collected is the only long-term dataset of its kind—and it is transforming what we know about dolphins and the Chesapeake Bay,” said Beth Polidoro, director of the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory.
In its first decade, DolphinWatch has provided valuable insights into when and where dolphins appear in the Bay, tracking annual fluctuations in these patterns. Previously, such information was poorly documented. The project now aims to expand its scope in the coming years to include abundance estimates — how many dolphins are in the Bay at any given time — and to better understand their movements in and out of the estuary.
Future goals include modeling the ecosystem and food web in which dolphins participate. Researchers hope to explore correlations between dolphin numbers and other key Bay variables such as water quality, crab and fish populations, and fisheries management decisions.
The power of the project lies in its reliance on volunteer “DolphinWatchers” who contribute sightings from across the region. “Volunteer DolphinWatchers are the cornerstone of this project,” said Jamie Testa, project coordinator. “By collectively looking for dolphins around Chesapeake Bay, we have created a nearly constant network of eyes on the ready. The power of folks simply sharing their bottlenose dolphin sightings with us, combined with our ability to harness all of those sightings into a better understanding of bottlenose dolphins in the Bay, is just astounding.”
Anyone can participate for free by downloading the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play or accessing it online. Users can view recent sightings and submit their own observations, contributing to a growing body of scientific data.
The Chesapeake Bay is home to a population of bottlenose dolphins that use the estuary seasonally. The DolphinWatch dataset has helped researchers understand these patterns and the factors influencing dolphin presence. As the program enters its second decade, the focus on abundance and ecosystem modeling will provide deeper insights into the health of the Bay and its marine inhabitants.
Southern Maryland residents, particularly those in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties, are well-positioned to contribute sightings given the area’s extensive shoreline and proximity to the Bay. Boaters, anglers and shoreline observers all play a role in the project’s success.
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Solomons serves as the hub for the program. CBL has a long history of Bay research, and DolphinWatch represents one of its most visible community engagement efforts.
The 10th anniversary highlights the value of participatory science in addressing complex environmental questions. By involving thousands of volunteers, the project generates data that would be difficult and expensive to collect through traditional research methods alone.
Program leaders encourage new participants to download the app and begin logging sightings. Even occasional observers can contribute meaningful data to the long-term record.
As the Chesapeake Bay faces ongoing challenges from climate change, pollution and habitat alteration, understanding dolphin populations and their role in the ecosystem becomes increasingly important. DolphinWatch provides a valuable tool for monitoring these changes over time.
The project’s success over the past decade demonstrates the power of community involvement in scientific research. With continued participation, DolphinWatch is poised to deliver even greater insights in the years ahead.
