That’s a wrap for 2023!
The Marine Mammal Foundation team has had an absolutely incredible 2023! This was a particularly special year for MMF, as we turned 10 years old! Check out our year-at-a-glance video reflecting on all we have achieved this year, or read on for some of the highlights…
Our research efforts reached new heights!
MMF published a scientific paper this year, while another 2 were submitted for review in peer-reviewed scientific journals, with 7 underway, ready for submission early next year
We completed 55 seasonal dolphin surveys of Port Phillip Bay and the Gippsland Lakes, spending 302 hours on the water, undertaking 75 sightings of Burrunan and short-beaked common dolphins, and collected 58,303 fin ID images
Our acoustics program collected over 85,000 sound files of the underwater soundscape and marine animal sounds, totalling over 7,080 hours of recording
Our genetics program focusing on immune response in Burrunan dolphins generated data on the genes of the adaptive immune system and skin microbiome of over 70 Burrunan dolphins
We collected 85 water samples across the Bay and the Lakes
We completed an environmental DNA pilot program, utilising cutting edge eDNA biomonitoring tools, as part of our marine mammal biodiversity program
We also had an incredibly successful year for outreach and education!
We participated in 58 Community events, 129 presentations, and 5 major festivals, engaging 5356 people
Thanks to the nomination of Life Saving Victoria, our Outreach Director Matt was voted Westfield Local Hero of the year for his incredible outreach work
We hosted 46 Marine Litter Project events at 23 LSV clubs across Victoria
We received over 2650 citizen sighting reports across all of our submission platforms, including TrakMM, Dolphin and Whale Spotting Victoria, and through direct email and social media messaging
Our amazing education programs we delivered in 63 schools, reaching 5,119 students across 92 individual programs
We’ve also featured in several media stories this year, across the web, TV, and radio.
MMF have also been incredibly lucky to welcome 14 new volunteers, who have generously contributed 1,573 hours of their time to assist with our research and outreach programs.
As we continue to grow, we want to acknowledge and thank our supporters, and you, our amazing MMF community!
We cannot wait to see what 2024 will bring!