Researchers to study rare dolphin-fisher kinship in Ashtamudi Lake

Standing waist-deep in the murky waters of Ashtamudi Lake, the artisanal fishermen may seem like lonely figures merely patiently adapting to the rhythm of the tide. But in reality, they are waiting for a sign from their underwater allies. Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins as a classic example of interspecies cooperation (Sousa plumbea)) drift dense schools of fish into shallow waters along the shoreline and signal fishermen with a dramatic tail slap or roll. The nets are cast instantly and the catch is often great, with dolphins catching the mess.

This rare strategic collaboration will now be studied as part of an international joint research project initiated by the University of Kerala, and the study will continue until 2028. The collaboration team includes researchers Mauricio Cantor (Oregon State University, USA), Fabio Jorge Daura Jorge (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil), Damien Roger Farine (Australian National University, Australia), A. Biju Kumar (University of Kerala) and Dipani Sutaria. (Dakshin Foundation, Bengaluru).

Ecology and Evolution of Cultural and Cooperative Behavior Between Dolphins and Humans, A study supported by the National Geographic Society and coordinated globally by Oregon State University aims to uncover the mechanisms driving the unique cooperation between wild dolphins and artisanal fishers in Lake Ashtamudi.

Human-wildlife cooperation

India’s principal investigator Prof, who together with Smrithy Raj from the University of Kerala, documented the interaction at Ashtamudi for the first time. “This study examines one of the world’s few remaining examples of human-wildlife cooperation and analyzes the active behavioral coordination used by both species to secure mutual advantages,” says Biju Kumar.

Chief global researcher Prof. “This project is groundbreaking because it will compare dolphin-fisher cooperation on three continents, including those observed for the first time in Brazil and Myanmar. This comparative analysis aims to investigate how such complex interspecies behaviors have evolved independently in different cultural and ecological contexts,” says Cantor.

The research will use strictly non-invasive methods, utilizing detailed photographic and video documentation, meticulous behavioral observations, and semi-structured interviews with local artisan fishermen. Most importantly, no animals will be captured, handled or disturbed as part of the research. As capacity building is a key component of this project, experts abroad will provide fieldwork training to Indian PhD and postgraduate students on advanced scientific methods to study dolphin behavior and ecological cooperation.

“The results are expected to shed light on how these interactions emerge and persist, providing valuable insights into the evolution of cooperation, animal culture and the importance of local ecological knowledge. Beyond research, the project aims to create a framework for long-term monitoring of dolphin-fisheries interactions in India and directly support the development of sustainable fishing practices that preserve marine biodiversity,” says Prof Biju Kumar.