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Australian Snubfin Dolphin (Orcaella heinsohni)

The Australian snubfin dolphin is a dolphin found along northern Australia, from Broome in Western Australia to the Brisbane River in Queensland. Shallow coastal and estuarine waters, particularly near river and creek mouths, are important habitat for the species.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Vulnerable.

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Vulnerable.

Western Australia, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Listed migratory. Listed migratory species are a matter of national environmental significance, so a significant impact needs referral.

Seasonal planning

Breeding and birthing occur year-round in Australian snubfin dolphins.

Seasonal evidence: From published sources for this species.

Timing varies between sites and years.

  • Breeding season: Breeding and birthing occur year-round in Australian snubfin dolphins.

Identification: Appearance

It has a rounded forehead and a small, snub-shaped dorsal fin. Its colouring is typically dark brown on the back, lighter on the sides and white underneath, distinguishing it from the more uniformly grey Irrawaddy dolphin.

It has a rounded forehead and a small, snub-shaped dorsal fin. Its colouring is typically dark brown on the back, lighter on the sides and white underneath, distinguishing it from the more uniformly grey Irrawaddy dolphin.

Identification: Confirming identity

Confirm the identity of any suspected record with a specialist and a photograph or voucher, as required by the relevant permit.

Distribution: Known range

In Australia, it occurs along the northern coast from Broome in Western Australia to the Brisbane River in Queensland. Its range may extend to Papua New Guinea.

In Australia, it occurs along the northern coast from Broome in Western Australia to the Brisbane River in Queensland. Its range may extend to Papua New Guinea.

Distribution: National mapping

The Commonwealth species distribution model (SNES) maps where the species or its habitat is known, likely or may occur. Use it with local records and site inspection.

Habitat: Habitat

The species generally inhabits shallow coastal and estuarine waters, often near river and creek mouths and mangrove systems. Most sightings are in water up to 10 metres deep, although it has also been recorded offshore.

The species generally inhabits shallow coastal and estuarine waters, often near river and creek mouths and mangrove systems. Most sightings are in water up to 10 metres deep, although it has also been recorded offshore.

Foraging habitat: Diet

Its diet includes fish, shrimp and other crustaceans, and cephalopods such as squid, cuttlefish and octopus. Fish eggs are also reported as food.

Its diet includes fish, shrimp and other crustaceans, and cephalopods such as squid, cuttlefish and octopus. Fish eggs are also reported as food.

Breeding habitat: Breeding

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Threats: Threats

Australian snubfin dolphins are susceptible to accidental capture in gillnets, particularly in nearshore areas and around river mouths. Coastal development is also identified as a potential threat.

Australian snubfin dolphins are susceptible to accidental capture in gillnets, particularly in nearshore areas and around river mouths. Coastal development is also identified as a potential threat.

Threats: Works risk

Coastal development may affect the species, which uses shallow coastal and estuarine waters near river and creek mouths. In-water works involving gillnets could also pose an entanglement risk in these areas.

Survey methodology: 1. Commonwealth guidance

Use methods consistent with the Commonwealth survey guidelines and engage a specialist with the right permits.

For EPBC Act referrals, survey effort and methods should be consistent with the ePBC Act publications, including the National Guidelines for the Survey of Cetaceans, Marine Turtles and the Dugong (2024), read with the Significant impact guidelines 1.1.

Survey methodology: 2. Limits

A non-detection is not proof of absence. Match survey timing to the species and season, and record effort.

Vegetation associations: Mangrove

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

The species generally inhabits shallow coastal and estuarine waters, often near river and creek mouths and mangrove systems.

Automatically indexed from existing profile text. Not a verified preference, mapped occurrence or habitat requirement. Check the original source and regional qualifiers before use.

Evidence: Unreviewed profile-derived candidate

Confidence: Not independently verified

Region: Scope as described in the quoted profile text; not independently verified. Profile states: NT, QLD, WA.

Habitat use: general

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations: Water-associated habitat mentioned in profile

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

The species generally inhabits shallow coastal and estuarine waters, often near river and creek mouths and mangrove systems.

Automatically indexed from existing profile text. Not a verified preference, mapped occurrence or habitat requirement. Check the original source and regional qualifiers before use.

Evidence: Unreviewed profile-derived candidate

Confidence: Not independently verified

Region: Scope as described in the quoted profile text; not independently verified. Profile states: NT, QLD, WA.

Habitat use: general

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before disturbance: 1. Desktop and approvals

Confirm whether the project could affect the species before works begin.

Check national mapping, state records and recent surveys for the site. An action likely to have a significant impact on this nationally listed species needs EPBC Act referral, and state permits apply where it is state listed.

Before disturbance: 2. Plan to avoid

Plan in-water works, vessel movements and lighting to avoid known habitat and sensitive periods, and set observer and shutdown procedures before works start.

During disturbance: 1. Controls

Keep works inside the approved footprint and conditions.

Use spotters and exclusion zones for in-water works and vessels, and pause works if the species is seen within the zone.

During disturbance: 2. Stop and report

If the species is found unexpectedly, stop work at that spot and contact the project ecologist and the relevant agency.

After disturbance: 1. Records

Record outcomes.

Record sightings, habitat lost or retained and any injury or death, and report them under the approval conditions.

Rehabilitation: 1. Restore

Restore disturbed habitat where possible.

Remove temporary structures, restore natural flow and substrate, and monitor water quality until it returns to baseline.

Sources