Learn hands-on about our local bottlenose dolphins while promoting their conservation through research and education!
The Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research is currently seeking volunteers to become involved in our dolphin research program. Volunteers will gain a richer understanding of the Outer Banks dolphins and their marine environment by accompanying researchers on boat-based surveys, learning how to identify individual dolphins, and educating the public about dolphin conservation at outreach events.
Research volunteers will:
Assist on boat-based dolphin field surveys year-round in the sound, including:
Scanning/searching for dolphins out on the water
Operating the research vessel during dolphin sightings
Collecting data on dolphin groups and environmental parameters (water temp, salinity)
Identifying dolphins by dorsal fin markings
Outreach volunteers will:
Teach others about dolphin conservation at outreach events and fundraisers.
Volunteers are also needed to participate in the development of outreach materials, land-based beach surveys, and building the photo-identification catalog.
All boat-based surveys are conducted on the sound from a 16’ outboard research boat. Our research boat accommodates up to 4 people at a time. Bottlenose dolphins are individually recognizable by unique markings (notches and nicks) on their dorsal fins that they acquire throughout their lives. We use a research technique known as photo-identification to photograph the dolphins’ dorsal fins and import the photographs into a catalog so that we can track them over time. Photo-identification trainings are required for all volunteers to safely participate in boat surveys.
To become a volunteer with the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research, click here