on the vessel. Once schools were encountered, the boats were slowed to match the 

 speed of the dolphins and moved parallel to the schools to obtain photographs. 



Every dolphin school encountered along a survey route was approached for 

 photographs. We remained with each dolphin school until we were satisfied that we 

 had photographed the dorsal fin of each member of the school, or until conditions 

 precluded complete coverage of the group. A suite of data including date, time, 

 location, activities, headings, and environmental conditions were recorded for each 

 sighting. Numbers of dolphins were recorded in real time as minimum, maximum, 

 and best point estimates of numbers of total dolphins, calves (dolphins < about 80-85% 

 adult size, typically swimming alongside an adult), and young-of-the-year (as a 

 subset of the number of calves). A young-of-the-year is defined as a calf in the first 

 calendar year of life and is recognized by one or more of the following features: ( 1 ) 

 small size; 50%-75% of the presumed mother's length, (2) darker coloration than the 

 presumed mother, (3) non-rigid dorsal fin, (4) characteristic head-out surfacing 

 pattern, (5) presence of neonatal vertical stripes, (6) consistently surfacing in "calf 

 position". The specific parameters recorded are defined, and a sample data sheet is 

 presented, in the Appendices 1 and 2. 



We used Nikon camera systems (FE, F3, 2020, 8008) with zoom-telephoto lenses, 

 motor drives, and data backs to photograph each school. Over the course of the 

 project, longer lenses (up to 300 mm) and auto-focus cameras and lenses were 

 incorporated, resulting in improved photo quality, and decreasing the time required 

 to obtain satisfactory photographic coverage of each group. Kodachrome 64 color 

 slide film was used throughout the surveys. The fine grain of this film provided 

 excellent clarity for resolution of fin features. Color film allowed evaluation of the 

 age of some wounds and fin features. 



During the first four years, the survey team was based on Anna Maria Island, 

 in Region 1. This field station was 72 km from the farthest extent of the study area in 

 Region 6, and 68 km from the most distant point in Region 7. The long distance and 

 the large areas of exposed waters in Tampa Bay meant that the boats often faced 

 abrupt changes in weather conditions and sea states during any given day, at times 

 preventing us from reaching or adequately covering some regions. To facilitate 

 access to the more distant regions, a second field station was established at Ruskin, in 

 Region 5 along the southeastern shore of Tampa Bay, during 1992 and 1993. 



Photo-Identification Catalog 



The patterns of nicks, notches, and scars on the dorsal fin and visible body 

 scars have been used successfully in numerous studies of bottlenose dolphins to 

 identify individuals over time (Wursig and Jefferson 1990, Scott er al. 1990a). Our 

 photographic catalog is based on exclusive categories that classify individuals with 

 similar features together. Each of the 14 categories of the catalog is based on: (1) the 

 division of the trailing edge of the dorsal fin into thirds and distinctive features 

 located in each third; (2) distinctive features on the leading edge of the fin; (3) 

 distinctive features on the anterior portion of the peduncle and (4) evidence of 

 permanent scarring or pigmentation patterns on the fin or body. 



The primary photo-ID catalog is composed of the most diagnostic and best 

 quality original slides of each animal, filed alphabetically by each individual 

 dolphin's unique four-place code. Prints are made from the original slides and filed 

 in a working catalog used for initial searching for matches. A duplicate catalog made 

 from color photocopies of the color prints is maintained off-site as a backup copy. 



