Loggerhead turtle research being conducted on Dirk Hartog Island

Research for Conservation

Shark Bay provides an excellent opportunity to study a range of terrestrial and marine wildlife. The information gathered from these studies helps us to better understand the local ecosystem and conserve it more effectively.

Research also gives unprecedented insights into the lives of some of the Bay’s familiar animals, such as the bottlenose dolphin. The dolphins at Monkey Mia have been studied for more than 20 years, the longest continuous study of bottlenose dolphins in the world. This research has not only contributed to the understanding of dolphins worldwide but has helped reduce the impacts of human activities, such as dolphin-focused tourism.

Research in Shark Bay is long-term and ongoing. Click on the links to discover more about these studies:

• Dugong
• Loggerhead turtle
• Bottlenose dolphin
• The mammals of Bernier and Dorre Islands
• Project Eden