Advancing Marine Science in the Strait of Gibraltar
Every tour we run is also a research expedition. Since 1994, Dolphin Adventure Gibraltar has partnered with leading marine institutions to study, monitor, and protect the remarkable cetacean populations of the Strait.
Ongoing Research Projects & Partnerships
We currently run or contribute data to six active research programmes spanning population dynamics, acoustics, migration ecology, and human-wildlife interaction.
Common Dolphin Population Survey
Long-term photo-identification catalogue of the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) population transiting the Strait. Our crew captures dorsal-fin imagery on every tour, contributing to a database now exceeding 2,400 individual IDs.
Acoustic Monitoring Programme
Hydrophone deployments record cetacean vocalisations across key migratory corridors in the Strait. Datasets are shared with EU-funded ACCOBAMS network to support broader Mediterranean cetacean protection.
Fin Whale Migration Mapping
Collaboration with the University of Barcelona to track seasonal fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) passage through the Strait. Tour sightings are logged as opportunistic presence–absence data points for the wider Atlantic migration model.
Striped Dolphin Sociality Study
Multi-year study examining group structure, social bonds, and mother–calf associations in the resident striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) pod. Imagery collected aboard tour vessels forms the primary observational dataset.
Shipping Noise Impact Assessment
Three-year assessment of the effect of high-density commercial shipping traffic on dolphin communication and stress behaviours. Findings informed ACCOBAMS traffic-calming recommendations for the Strait.
Citizen Science Sightings Database
Our guests contribute to a growing citizen science dataset. Every recorded sighting — species, heading, group size, behaviour — is entered into our validated database and shared quarterly with partner institutions.
How We Collect & Share Data
Rigorous, non-invasive field methods underpin every study. Our crew are trained observers who collect publication-quality data while delivering exceptional guest experiences.
Photo-Identification
Unique natural markings — nicks, scars, and pigmentation patterns on dorsal fins — allow us to recognise individual animals across decades. Our photo-ID library is the oldest active cetacean catalogue in the Strait.
Passive Acoustic Recording
Towed and moored hydrophones capture clicks, whistles, and burst-pulse calls. Spectrograms and automated classifiers distinguish species and behavioural states without disturbing the animals.
GPS Sighting Logs
Every confirmed sighting is geo-stamped with species, count, heading, sea state, and behaviour code. Thirty years of logs form an unparalleled time-series of Strait cetacean distribution.
Citizen Science Observation
Trained guests complete standardised sighting forms aboard each tour. Data undergoes expert validation before entering the shared database, maximising rigour while multiplying observer capacity.
Open Data Sharing
Verified datasets are exported quarterly to the GBIF Global Biodiversity Information Facility and partner universities under Creative Commons licences, ensuring maximum scientific utility.
Field Ethograms
Systematic behavioural state sampling records activity budgets — foraging, socialising, resting, bow-riding — at five-minute intervals, supporting longitudinal welfare and disturbance-impact analyses.
Marine Species We Monitor
The Strait of Gibraltar is one of Europe's most biodiverse cetacean corridors. We actively monitor six focal species and record opportunistic sightings of a further twelve.
Common Dolphin
Delphinus delphis
Most abundant cetacean in the Strait. Resident population supplemented by Atlantic migrants. Photo-ID catalogue spans 30+ years.
Striped Dolphin
Stenella coeruleoalba
Resident pod of approximately 200 individuals. Subject of our ongoing sociality study; individual IDs recorded since 2001.
Bottlenose Dolphin
Tursiops truncatus
Coastal ecotype observed year-round near Gibraltar Bay. Known for bow-riding behaviour; highly cooperative in social structure.
Sperm Whale
Physeter macrocephalus
Seasonal passage through the Strait recorded April–October. Photo-ID of fluke patterns contributes to the CIRCE Atlantic database.
Fin Whale
Balaenoptera physalus
Second-largest animal on Earth; passes the Strait during spring and autumn migration. Collision risk with shipping is a key research focus.
Orca
Orcinus orca
The critically endangered Iberian orca subpopulation (<40 individuals) is actively monitored. We contribute to the GTOA working group on vessel-interaction incidents.
Conservation status follows IUCN Red List criteria. Population trend data sourced from ACCOBAMS 2022 Assessment and our own long-term monitoring records.
Partnering with Marine Research Institutions
We collaborate with universities, intergovernmental bodies, and conservation NGOs to maximise the scientific value of every tour and ensure findings reach policymakers.
ACCOBAMS
Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area
Long-term sightings data & acoustic recordings shared to the ACCOBAMS monitoring network.
University of Barcelona
Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals
Collaborative principal investigators on the fin whale migration mapping study since 2017.
CIRCE
Conservation, Information and Research on Cetaceans
Photo-ID cross-matching for sperm whale fluke catalogues; joint field campaigns in the western Strait.
GTOA
Grupo de Trabajo Orca Atlántica
Vessel interaction reporting for the critically endangered Iberian orca subpopulation.
University of Gibraltar
Faculty of Science & Environment
MSc and PhD student placements; joint seminars and public science education events.
GBIF
Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Verified cetacean occurrence records published quarterly under CC BY 4.0 licence.
Recognised by the Gibraltar Government for Marine Conservation Excellence
Dolphin Adventure Gibraltar received the Gibraltar Environmental Agency's Marine Conservation Partner Award in 2022, recognising over two decades of data contribution and public science education.
Conservation Findings & Scientific Outcomes
Three decades of disciplined data collection have generated results that matter — for animals, for policy, and for the communities that depend on healthy marine ecosystems.
Our research demonstrates that responsible ecotourism and rigorous science are not just compatible — they are mutually reinforcing. Every paying guest enables an additional day of field observation that no grant committee needs to fund.
Population Recovery
Common dolphin numbers in our survey zone have increased by an estimated 22% over the last decade, correlating with improved fishery management and reduced bycatch in the Strait.
Vessel Noise Impacts
Our 2021 shipping-noise study found a statistically significant reduction in foraging behaviour during peak commercial traffic hours, leading to a joint recommendation for voluntary speed limits.
Tour Protocol Validation
Behavioural analysis across 4,000+ tour encounters shows our approach-protocol (no bow-riding chase, 50m minimum distance) produces no measurable change in dolphin behavioural state.
Habitat Use Shifts
GPS data shows dolphins progressively using the western Strait corridor more frequently during summer, likely tracking sardine shoal distribution changes linked to sea surface temperature rise.
Published Outputs
Our data has contributed to or been cited in 14 peer-reviewed publications, three technical reports for ACCOBAMS, and two Spanish national biodiversity assessments since 2010.
Policy Influence
Research findings have directly informed Gibraltar's Marine Protected Area boundary review (2023) and contributed to ACCOBAMS Resolution 8.17 on cetacean-watching code of conduct standards.
Every Ticket Funds Real Marine Research
A portion of every tour booking directly funds crew training, equipment maintenance, data management, and contributions to our institutional research partners. You're not just watching dolphins — you're helping protect them.
No grant committee, no government subsidy — our research is self-funded through responsible tourism. Book today and become part of the longest-running cetacean monitoring programme in the Strait of Gibraltar.