ADVANCING TECHNOLOGY

For every day that HBOI dolphin researchers spend taking Photo-ID images, we spend two days in the lab analyzing them. Our goal is to streamline this process through the development of sophisticated technologies.

A dorsal-fin-matching computer program -- much like the FBI's fingerprint-matching software -- is under development. This specialized software will allow researchers to input images for immediate identification of individual dolphins. This all-digital process will greatly reduce the reoccurring costs of film and development. All ID information corresponds to differentially-corrected GPS and ArcView GIS components, as well as environmental data collected at each sighting.

This technology will have a significant impact on the field of marine mammalogy. An accessible Internet repository of identified dolphins would allow scientists around the world to rapidly exchange information.