Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary

In reply to the Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Leader of the Opposition) ((23 June 2022).). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Minister for Defence and Space Industries, Minister for Climate, Environment and Water): I have been advised:

Two studies are being undertaken with Flinders University as a part of the ADS investigation.

The first is an Honours project on 'Fishes as indicators of dolphin health within the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, South Australia'. This study aims to evaluate the potential health risks to dolphins arising from consumption of prey within the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary (ADS). The prey items will be tested for the presence of bacteria or chemical contamination (e.g. trace metals, biotoxin or other chemicals).

This honours student project is expected to be complete by December 2023.

The second Flinders University project i. a collaboration with Adelaide University that will form the basis of a PhD. The project ADS 'Dolphin Health and Port River study' will work to elucidate the causes of morbidity and mortality in the ADS dolphins. It will also broadly examine the health and threats to health and welfare of dolphin species across South Australia through:

Assessing the health status of live ADS dolphins by examining their body condition and early signs of disease

Assessing the relationship between environmental pathogens and pathogen profiles detected in sick/dead dolphins, as examined by metagenomics

Examining water quality and environment parameters in the Port River and Barker Inlet ecosystem during 2022-23 as part of the disease investigation process

Identifying environmental and biological factors affecting mortality of dolphins in the ADS and adjacent waters by building a model which combines multiple potential variables.

This project is expected to be complete by June 2023.