My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our publication describing sampling of bottlenose dolphins within estuaries and nearshore coastal waters of the western Gulf of Mexico to elucidate population structure amongst adjacent groups of bottlenose dolphins. This study was initially funded in 2011 and as such any language and interpretation thereof should be considered a description in time around the year 2016 when draft of this study was presented.

Garrison LP, Glenn III DW, Karrigan H, Stoni T. 2024. Bottlenose dolphin stock structure in the Gulf of Mexico. New Orleans (LA): US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. 42 p. Contract No.: M11PG00041. Report No.: OCS Study BOEM 2024-020. 

Abstract:
The common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), is ubiquitous in the estuarine and nearshore coastal waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the population is divided into population stocks, or group of animals that occupy the same habitat and interbreed when mature. This study was conducted to assess bottlenose dolphin stock structure in the Gulf of Mexico and analyze contaminants the population may be exposed to. A total of 247 and 81 biopsy samples were collected during the Texas Coastal Bend and western Mississippi Sound surveys, respectively. Photo-identification analysis in Texas waters indicated the encounter of at least 1,347 individuals in estuarine waters and 450 individuals in coastal waters, indicating a relatively high abundance of dolphins within the surveyed areas. Genetic analysis samples from Texas indicated genetically distinct stocks occupying each of the tested areas. This study is the first to examine population structure within the estuaries along the Texas coast and demonstrates a high degree of genetic differentiation among adjacent stocks.

https://espis.boem.gov/Final%20Reports/BOEM_2024-020.pdf

Thank you!

Donald (Tre) W. Glenn, III, Ph.D., P.E., CFM
Protected Species Biologist
Consultation Specialist 

Professional Environmental Engineer

National Certified Floodplain Manager

Contracting Officer's Representative III

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)

GOMR, Office of Environment

Mail Stop GM 673E
1201 Elmwood Park Blvd.

New Orleans, Louisiana  70123