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Curious about our recent research trip to the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS)?

Our 2015 field session at Anthony’s Key Resort’s Roatan Institute for Marine Science (RIMS) was a success! We were able to collect six hours of video with the MVA2 camera as well as another ~9 hours of video with 1-2 GoPro cameras. That is, for all sessions, one GoPro was mounted above the MVA 2 facing forward to provide a wider view and greater area for confirming dolphin IDs from body parts that might be slightly out of view on the MVA camera but in range on the GoPro.

Today, Friday, dawned bright after an evening of thunderstorms that affected the early AM underwater visibility. Still, I was able to collect data during an early morning session and a second morning session on our last day at RIMS/AKR for 2015. Champ and Calli were as attentive as ever to me in the early morning as were French, Ronnie and Ritchie. Even Bailey spent a bit of time investigating the hydrophones.
The second morning session brought better underwater visibility (up to ~3.5 meters but still silty).

Even as our week begins to wind down, our mornings start early. This DCP team is a group of early risers! Perfect for catching the morning sun, best underwater visibility and social dolphins! You can see everyone preparing to take their positions around the enclosure for the best observer positions … and maybe also for the occasional game of seaweed toss with the younger dolphins!
This morning presented the best underwater clarity of the week, so far. Very little silt or precipitate in the water, clear for at least 6 m … and also social dolphins.

Observing the dolphins underwater and recording their behavior onto video cards or tapes equates to also being required to recognize each dolphin by her/his scars and marks. For the most part, here at RIMS/AKR, we can use the rake marks that are caused by other dolphin teeth during play or aggression. These rake marks are parallel white lines. They heal pretty quickly, but will remain for the week of data collection.
Coordinating with the trainers to confirm each dolphin’s marks is key to being able to readily recognize the dolphins.

This morning saw the MVA2 (second array built) with a second added camera! Typically, we have a GoPro mounted on the left top of the housing to get a wider perspective and be able to confirm IDs of all the dolphins visible in the view finder.

Three half-hour underwater sessions of data collection filled our morning! Everyone was VERY vocal – lots of whistling, click trains, buzzing, brays and more. Even Carmella was into the action and whistling with bubble streams. The early morning session had all but two dolphins in the main area, including Ronnie and French.

Today was a great day with roughly an hour of MVA2 video data collected! It was a welcome change from last year when Ronnie decided I was his play-toy! I was in the water by 6:40 AM and spent the first 30 minutes reacquainting myself with the dolphins, and vice versa. Calli, Elli, Lenca and Champ have grown noticeably. Each has a few rake marks that will allow more rapid confirmation of their IDs.

My 2015 RIMS research team was great with their observations and assistance.

Our team arrived in three waves on three different airlines. John, Ron and I arrived first on Roatan, at 11:40! 30 minutes early! Jillian and Jess arrived next about 45 minutes later followed by Bill, Jeanne, Lance, Chris and Dave. By early afternoon, we were all enjoying our first lunch and settling in to our rooms.

I was able to connect with Denry and Eldon to confirm that I could get into the water at 6:30 AM tomorrow … I sprang the early AM plan on my team at dinner.

Our bags are packed, each bit of gear snuggled compactly in each case. Of course, with Halloween the last day of our trip, I had to include a few “treats” for the trip.
I’m looking forward to this annual return to Roatan and Anthony’s Key to connect with colleagues at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS) but especially to see the dolphins.