Coastal Development Threatens Australia's Most Elusive Dolphin

Coastal Development Threatens Australia's Most Elusive Dolphin

A rare pod of 67 snubfin dolphins off Townsville faces the possibility of local extinction as a result of ongoing coastal development, water pollution and increased shipping activity, WWF warned today.

The elusive group of coastal dolphins is one of only several isolated snubfin pods around Australia, and is extremely vulnerable to threats from human activity around the busy port of Townsville, according to a report released today by WWF with the support of ING DIRECT.

The report Conserving Australia's unique coastal dolphins says an annual mortality rate of just five per cent of this Townsville population, or three individuals, is enough to drive the local extinction of the species.

"As these isolated dolphins are found in shallow waters close to shore, they are particularly vulnerable to impacts as a result of coastal developments, particularly those close to major centres such as Townsville, Cairns, Gladstone, Darwin and Broome," said WWF spokesperson Lydia Gibson.

The Queensland Government is currently considering a $150 million development in prime snubfin dolphin habitat at the mouth of the Ross River in Townsville.

The proposed Townsville Marine Precinct Project is designed to address the ongoing and increasing demand for marine facilities in Townsville, and will include a commercial slipway, docking facilities, 40 trawler berths and public boat ramp.

"As pressures on their habitat increase, we need to put more effort into understanding dolphin populations through ongoing research and where possible establish protected areas in key habitats. This will avoid the need for costly recovery measures in the future," Ms Gibson said.

In addition to coastal development, the report outlines a range of other human impacts threatening snubfin dolphins including fishing and netting, pollution and climate change.

The snubfin dolphin is Australia's only endemic dolphin and was first described in 2005 near Townsville. It is the first new dolphin species to be described anywhere in the world in decades.

Until recently it was thought to be an Irrawaddy dolphin, the critically endangered species found in coastal rivers of south-east Asia, but recent studies confirmed that it is a distinct species unique to northern Australian waters. Other small pods have been subsequently found near Darwin and off the Kimberley coast in Western Australia.

An ING Direct funded research project has been looking at snubfin dolphin populations in these locations and conducting photo-identification and genetic sampling of the species.

"While the future of the Snubfin is precarious our staff and customers are happy to help finance research which may ultimately unlock the key to the survival of the species," said ING spokesperson Christian Bohlke.

"Our long term support of Snubfin research has focused attention on the need to fully understand the life cycle of these wonderful mammals," Mr Bohlke said.

For a copy of the report, file images or interviews, please contact:
Charlie Stevens, WWF Australia, 02 8202 1274, 0424 649 689
David Breen, ING DIRECT, 02 9028 4347, 0412 933 060

About WWF
WWF-Australia is part of the WWF International Network, the world's largest and most experienced independent conservation organisation. It has close to five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. This is achieved by working on the ground with local communities, and in partnership with government and industry, using the best possible science to advocate change and effective conservation policy.

About ING DIRECT
ING DIRECT began operating in Australia in 1999. By doing business online, over the phone and through intermediaries, ING DIRECT keeps it overheads low and passes the savings onto customers in the form of competitive rates. Today, it has grown to become Australia's fifth largest retail bank, with around $20 billion in deposits, more than $34 billion in mortgages and more than 1.35 million customers.

About ING Group
ING Group is one of the world's largest financial institutions, offering banking, insurance and asset management to more than 85 million clients in over 50 countries. With a diverse workforce of about 115,000 people, ING comprises a broad spectrum of prominent companies that increasingly serve their clients under the ING brand.

SOURCE: ING DIRECT