🐬 Dolphins of Moreton Bay, Queensland: Discover the Marine Life of Australia's Coastal Gem

Bottlenose Candles
Aug 17
3 min read

Updated: Oct 19

Moreton Bay, located in Southeast Queensland, is a vibrant marine ecosystem teeming with life. It is home to two incredible resident dolphin species: the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin and the Australian humpback dolphin. These dolphins can be found here year-round, navigating the Bay’s reefs, mangroves, and coastal shallows. However, life for dolphins in Moreton Bay isn’t without challenges. As the surrounding region rapidly urbanizes, dolphins face growing threats from human activity.

🌊 Dolphin Species in Moreton Bay

Two dolphin species inhabit Moreton Bay Marine Park:

Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus)
Australian humpback dolphin (Sousa sahulensis)

These species are the focus of the Moreton Bay Dolphin Research Project. The humpback dolphin is listed as Vulnerable and is a high conservation priority.

🐬 Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins: Social, Smart, and Adaptable

Where They Live

The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin is the most commonly seen in the Bay, with an estimated 554 individuals divided into two sub-populations:

Southern Sub-Population (~172 dolphins): Prefers shallow, nearshore waters.
Northern Sub-Population (~446 dolphins): Inhabits deeper, open waters.

Despite their close proximity, these two groups rarely interact. This is due to differences in diet, genetics, and habitat use.

Dolphin surfacing in blue ocean water, front view. Text: Dolphin Research Australia. Emphasizes research and conservation efforts.

🍽️ What They Eat

Their diet includes:

Fish
Cephalopods (squid, octopus)
Crustaceans
Small rays

Some dolphins have adapted to follow fishing trawlers to feed on discarded catch. This behavior showcases their incredible intelligence and adaptability.

Did you know? *Bottlenose dolphins form strong social bonds based on shared feeding strategies? Those that forage together tend to stick together.

⚠️ Threats They Face

Living near the Port of Brisbane and busy coastal zones puts them at risk of:

Marine pollution
Boat strikes
Fishing line entanglement
Unregulated feeding by humans

The southern group, being smaller and more confined, is especially vulnerable to these threats.

🐋 Australian Humpback Dolphins: Shy and Rare

With only around 128 individuals, Australian humpback dolphins are far less common. Moreton Bay represents the southernmost edge of their range.

🌿 Preferred Habitat

They prefer:

Shallow waters (<20m)
Estuaries, mangroves, reefs
Channels near the Port of Brisbane

🧠 Behaviour and Social Groups

This species is:

Sexually segregated
Fragmented into five distinct social communities
Known to play with seaweed, shells, and jellies

Unlike bottlenose dolphins, they tend to avoid human interaction and boats.

🚨 Key Threats

Due to their high site fidelity, localized threats can have lasting impacts, including:

Pollution and sedimentation
Coastal development
Boat traffic
Fishing gear entanglement

Pink dolphin leaping out of water, Dolphins of Moreton Bay Australia's coastal gem.

Why Dolphins Matter to Moreton Bay

Moreton Bay (Quandamooka) is a place of incredible biodiversity and cultural significance to the Quandamooka People. They have shared a deep connection with Buangan (dolphins) for generations. Dolphins are not just iconic; they play a vital role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. Yet, with increasing threats from urbanization, tourism, fishing, and climate change, the future of Moreton Bay’s dolphins is far from secure.

Research That Drives Conservation

Dolphin Research Australia helps scientists:

Track dolphin populations
Monitor health and behavior
Identify critical habitats
Inform protection strategies

This long-term research is crucial for marine conservation in Queensland and beyond.

📣 How You Can Help

Want to protect the dolphins of Moreton Bay? Here's how:

🐬 Don’t feed wild dolphins.
🛥️ Slow down your boat in dolphin zones.
🎣 Dispose of fishing gear responsibly.
📞 Report entangled or injured dolphins.
🌱 Support local marine conservation efforts.

💬 “By protecting dolphins, we’re protecting the health of Moreton Bay itself.”