© The Namibian Dolphin Project

The lack of information on the cetacean community occurring in Namibian waters is preventing adequate planning and mitigation of human activities which may impact vulnerable populations. Impacts include increased coastal development, ecosystem change due to over fishing, prospecting and mining for diamonds, oil, gas and phosphate. To address this, the Namibian Dolphin Project (NDP) will extend its research and conservation focus to Lüderitz to investigate the abundance and population dynamics of the endemic Heaviside’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii) and dusky dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) within the Namibian Islands Marine Protected Area (NIMPA) and assess the effectiveness of this area for protecting cetacean populations.