The Red Sea is more accessible to research, and the marine mammal populations, except for the dugong, are not endangered. There are several pods of dolphins which live along the Israeli coasts on a permanent basis, and we are familiar with their location. From 1993 to this day, we have been compiling all reports of dolphins in our area. In addition, due to the increased level of public awareness, we receive information on every dolphin seen near the shore. Most of them are sick animals who approach the shore in order to beach themselves and die.
Every report is checked out, and a team goes out to the site and handles the problem.
Mira Roditi of the Department of Marine Civilizations at University of Haifa is responsible for compiling information on causes of death among dolphins along Israel's seacoasts. First, it is necessary to define the area and objectives of the survey. Surveys are implemented over periods of many days, from boats, using binoculars. After we have information on the regional population, we can attach TDR tracking devices to the animals themselves. These devices provide us with time and dive depth data, as well as with the animal's exact location.