Identification of individual bottlenose dolphins by analysing their signature whistles

Many of the world's cetaceans are endangered by human activity. A major threat is the incidental take such as the by-catch in commercial and artisanal fisheries, and accidental entanglement in passive gear like the gill-net. Experiments to test dolphin/gill-net deterrent devices with the wild dolphin population in the Moray Firth (Scotland) have been ongoing. Since the detection/avoidance behaviour of each animal will be influenced by its previous experience, the study of the animal's identity becomes very important. Photo identification techniques are impractical as the photographer's presence in the animal's vicinity affects its behaviour. The problem of identification of dolphins with the help of whistle 'signatures' has been addressed in this thesis. [Continues.]