An in-depth knowledge of the biology of marine life is a necessary condition to create good conservation strategies. By determining the population size of the marine mammals and the effects that humans have on these species, allows the stage to be set for future projects that will bring about a centre for the rehabilitation and the study of stranded animals, a lab for the analysis of pollutants accumulated in marine mammals and the surrounding environment, to better understand the potential risks that humans may face.

This project in its entirety is divided in two parts:

· Ecological distribution of Delphinidae family in the Eleuthera waters.

· Environmental pressure on the Marine Mammals endocrine system.

The study will add to what is known about the abundance estimates, distributions pattern, behavioural ecology and human activity interaction of the Delphinidae family (bottlenose;spotted dolphin) in the Bahamian waters.

Distribution patterns and group compositions will be systematically documented as well as biological sampling will be conducted during daily surveys on board of small boat.

The animals will be photographed and later identified with the support of apposite software to recognize unique body characteristics, dorsal fin, body colour, permanent scars. The interaction with boats present when the sight take place will be documented and photos and videos both above and below the water will be taken to allow us to study behavioural patterns, social interactions, sex identification and size of the animals. A Hydrophone recording system will allow us to record the animals vocalization and possible underwater noise pollution.

Data of interest during the encounters will include the number, age, sex , characteristic marks of the animals, time at the encounter and weather condition. GPS receiver will be use to record the position of the research vessel and a Depth Sounder to record the physical characteristics, in addition water samples will be collected during each sighting. The best pictures will be catalogued and shared with other research catalogues of photographically identified animals to track movement of the animals in the water of the Bahamas and other possible areas in relation with the species, organizing workshops addressed to students, member of the community, fishermen, water operators and vacationers to inform them about the beauty and the fragility of the surrounding marine ecosystem, what they can do and how important is to protect our resources.

The data collected will be useful for the local government in developing conservation strategies for marine ecosystems, Eco-tourism guidelines and island development plans.

A better understanding on the marine mammals’ presence and distribution in the surrounding waters, the construction of a rehabilitation centre for stranded animals with lab for analysing the tissue of deceased animals is amongst our top priorities.

Sighting forms with identification of species, along with biological and conservation cards including tips for approaching marine mammals in order to be less invasive on the animals, will be distributed to all Marinas

A VHF information net will be implemented in order to minimize striking which unfortunally is still one of the major causes of death for deep diving cetaceans.