About PADPIC
The Papua New Guinea & Australian Dolphin Photo-Identification Catalogue (PADPIC) is an online platform developed to efficiently manage and share images and sighting information of inshore dolphins.
Data submitted to PADPIC will provide valuable information about the distribution, movements, status and longevity of these species, which will inform conservation management and assess the current status of inshore dolphin populations.
Individual inshore dolphins can be recognised by distinctive nicks and notches on their dorsal fin, often in association with other marks and scars (i.e. such as from shark bites) on other parts of their body. This catalogues facilitates the submission and management of images from sighting events so individuals can be identified and tracked through time.
By facilitating data sharing, PADPIC is a tool that can inform conservation management and improve an understanding the status of inshore dolphins in northern Australia and Papua New Guinea. Sharing data provides more data analysis opportunities and more opportunities to improve our knowledge of the species and their habitat.
The quality and quantity of data available reflects the dedication and commitment of field researchers, indigenous ranger groups, and the general public that have collaborated with this project.
User levels
All of the images and some of the associated sightings information within PADPIC are viewable by the public. The public can conduct searches to match their own sightings and browse the catalogue of identified dolphins.
The public can view and search the catalogue and also submit a new sighting to the catalogue via the Australian Marine Mammal Centre’s sightings form: https://data.marinemammals.gov.au/report/sighting
A registered contributor to PADPIC can upload images of photo-identified dolphins, assign sighting information (such as date and location), match the uploaded image to other dolphins in the catalogue using the computer-assisted matching system, and submit the data to a curator for verification. Once the data are verified, the dolphin is added to PADPIC.
Videos available online explain how contributors can upload and manage their data.
Development and management
PADPIC is currently managed by Dr. Isabel Beasley, in collaboration with indigenous ranger groups that have collaborated with this project.
PADPIC is hosted and maintained by the Australian Marine Mammal Centre and Australian Antarctic Data Centre of the Australian Antarctic Division (Department of Environment and Energy).
PADPIC exists thanks to the initial development of ARWPIC (i.e. a collaborative effort of many people and organisations over a number of years), and thanks to recent collaborative research efforts in Papua New Guinea and northern Australia:
| Group | People involved |
|---|---|
| Systems development and advisory group | Will Rayment, Rachael Alderman, Saras Kumar, John, Bannister, Mandy Watson, Rob Harcourt, Alice MacKay, Claire Charlton, Pin Needham, Cath Kemper, Stephen Burnell, Dirk Holman, Mike Double, James Cusick, Kieran Lawton, Rebecca Pirzl |
| Application development |
ARWPIC & PADPIC: Andy Townsend |
| Project managers | Isabel Beasley |
| Primary Collaborators | Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation (QLD), Dhimurru Rangers, Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation (NT), Girringun Rangers, Girringun Aboriginal Corporation (QLD), Kenbi Rangers, Northern Land Council (NT), Li-Anthawirriyarra Sea Rangers, Mabunji Aboriginal Resource Centre (NT), Mandubarra Rangers, Mandubarra Land and Sea Inc. (QLD), Jabalbina-Yalanji Rangters, Jabalbina-Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation (QLD), Yirralka Rangers, Laynhapuy Homelands (NT) |
| Systems |
Australian Government through grants of the Australian Marine Mammal Centre, Australian Antarctic Division Tasmanian Department of Primary Industry, Parks, Water and Environment South Australian Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Otago University, New Zealand Victorian Department Environment, Land, Water and Planning |
| PADPIC funders |
Exxon Mobil PNG Ltd |
