New Dolphin Signs Installed At Jennette’s Pier And NC Aquarium
The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, Jennette’s Pier, and the Outer Banks Community Foundation have teamed up with the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research (OBX CDR) to develop and install informational graphic panels at these two aquarium facilities.
Christin Brown, education curator at Jennette’s Pier, said she’s proud of the project, which she and her staff helped organize and implement. Pier Director Mike Remige was glad they are in place for this summer season.
Jessica Taylor, principal investigator for the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research, said she is pleased with the new informational sign at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. Now, people can reference important information about dolphins while using the nearby spotting telescope. (JennettesPier.net photo)
“These weather-resistant signs highlight the work of the dolphin research center and focus on the importance of conservation of bottlenose dolphins,” he said. “The two, three foot by two foot signs, have already been installed in strategic locations at each facility to highlight the potential of spotting one or more of these amazing creatures.”
Jessica Taylor, principal investigator for the research center, said she was also pleased with the way the signs turned out. She hopes the general public will learn how to do their part to protect bottlenose dolphins.
A pair of bottlenose dolphin frolic in the surf near Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head recently. They are a protected species under the U. S. Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 but continue to be threatened by fishery entanglement, coastal development and pollution. (JennettesPier.net photo)
“Bottlenose dolphin are a protected species and an important part of the environment,” she said. “Support from the public is an integral in continuing their conservation. Public support is key.”
Coastal dolphins live between 40 to 50 years. As adults, they grow six to eight-foot long. They are warm-blooded, breath air and even have hair in the early stages of life. The research center uses markings on dolphin’s dorsal fins to track the area’s population and they have identified more than 600 of these energetic and playful marine mammals, Taylor said.
A new sign about the importance of conservation of bottlenose dolphins has been installed along the trail to the new Soundside Pier at the N. C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island. The Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research uses markings on dolphin’s dorsal fins to track the area’s population and they have identified more than 600 of these energetic and playful marine mammals in this area. (JennettesPier.net photo)
At Jennette’s Pier, the sign is conveniently located next to the spotting scope on the north side of the pier with direct views of the Atlantic Ocean. At the Aquarium, the graphic panel is located next to the entrance to the new Soundside Pier.
“Both facilities’ panels focus on conservation efforts while the Aquarium’s sign also includes information about how scientists identify individual dolphins,” Brown said. “Guests at the Aquarium have the potential to spot one of our local Outer Banks dolphins frolicking in the beautiful Croatan Sound!”
This unique educational project was made possible through a grant received from the Outer Banks Community Foundation with matching funds provided by both the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island and Jennette’s Pier.
A new informative sign about dolphins is now at the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island. (JennettesPier.net photo)
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