Rare Australian snubfin dolphins facing extinction

News.com.au: Rare Australian snubfin dolphins facing extinction
AUSTRALIA'S only native dolphin is at risk of being put on the endangered list - just six years after it was discovered.

The snubfin dolphin, which has a distinctive bulbous head and small dorsal fin, was first thought to be the more common irrawaddy dolphin and was not listed as its own species until 2005.

A recent population estimate found there could be fewer than 1000 mature snubfin dolphins along the tropical coastline from Queensland to Western Australia.

The World Wildlife Fund estimates more than 30 per cent of the dolphins have been wiped out over the past three generations.

Only last month, two dead snubfin dolphins had been tied and weighed down in a mangrove north of Townsville in an apparent bid to hide that they had been killed in fishing nets.

WWF tropical marine species manager Lydia Gibson said the dolphins lived in small, isolated communities, which made them especially vulnerable.

In some cases if you lose just one individual ... that could spell the local extinction of that population," she said.

The government's Threatened Species Scientific Committee meets this month to consider listing the dolphin for inclusion on the endangered species list.

The two snubfin dolphins found dead last month were discovered by recreational fishermen on May 23 in the upper reaches of Two Mile Creek near Toolakea Beach, north of Townsville.

Authorities believe the dolphins were caught accidentally during netting.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority field management director Mick Bishop said this type of behaviour was totally unacceptable and was being investigated.

"Given the circumstances, the death of these animals is of concern and we urge anyone with information relating to this incident to come forward," he said.

"Their deaths should have been reported.

"Instead, there has been a clear attempt to conceal the bodies of these dolphins."

Mr Bishop said snub-fin dolphins are rare and are listed as "near threatened" under Queensland law.

"(Australian) Snub-fin dolphins inhabit the inshore waters of northern Australia and they face a number of threats, particularly from coastal development, habitat loss and illegal netting," Mr Bishop said.

Anyone with information should contact the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on 07 4726 0588