About our research programs
The Marine Mammal Foundation’s research programs advance the knowledge, conservation and protection of Australia’s marine mammals. Our established and internationally recognised research involves robust population modelling and demographic assessments; marine mammal record; geospatial mapping; acoustics; genetics; toxicology and food-web assessment… just to name a few!
Internationally recognised research with peer-reviewed publications, representation at worldwide conferences and events, and calibrations with numerous University and other research organisations
Real research that can be used to inform management, policy and mitigation against increasing threats through government stakeholder relations.
Whilst our research focus is marine mammals, we take a holistic approach to marine biodiversity using new and innovative research tools, to investigate environmental variables and drivers, food-web interactions and ecological processes.
Our current Applied research programs
Marine Mammal Biodiversity
Acoustics
Drivers of distribution
Effects of disturbance on seals
Burrunan MHC and Health research
Burrunan dolphin social structure
Toxicology
Burrunan genetics/genomics research
Vessel impacts
Biotope mapping
Underwater eavesdropping: Corio Bay
Population demographics
Lesions and freshwater skin disease
Our previous research programs
Cetacean biodiversity Assessment
Mixed Species Associations
Project Burrunan
Project Burrunan is MMF’s overarching and flagship research program, and is the only of its kind with a special focus on the newly described and critically endangered Burrunan dolphin. This research aims to protect and conserve this charismatic and endemic dolphin for future generations to enjoy.
The Burrunan dolphin is endemic to southern Australian coastal waters and is characterised by small, genetically distinct and isolated populations. There are only two known resident populations, in Port Phillip Bay and Gippsland Lakes.
In order to establish greater protection and conservation for our unique Burrunan dolphin, we need to bridge the gaps in our current knowledge about this new species by addressing a number of data deficiencies. Greater scientific knowledge underpinning the correct management and conservation of this species is crucial. With no data, there is no incentive for action, and without action, we can have no conservation.
The specific aim of this project is to investigate the biology, population size and structure, and threatening process impacting the endangered Burrunan dolphin. With only 120 Burrunan resident to Port Phillip Bay and 65 resident to the Gippsland Lakes, the need to better understand these populations and the wider species is crucial. These populations have significant conservation concern due to their low levels of genetic diversity, close proximity to urban, agricultural and residential settings, and high exposure to various anthropogenic threats.