This region is renowned for its recreational fishing, and with increasing areas of national park and marine reserves along with the 'catch and release' attitude of many anglers and clubs, the conservation of this rich environment is a high priority. The leafy seadragon is closely related to the seahorse, and is a member of the pipefish family. The Great White, which like most sharks has a very slow reproductive cycle and has been victim to some fishing and aquaculture practices, is now a protected species. Research is underway to develop additional farm-based industries, such as finfish, mussels, algae, scallops, and rock lobster. Boats cruising around Boston Bay and surrounds are often accompanied by these playful mammals, surfing in the bow waves.
Dolphins also use clever and varied methods, many cooperative, to trap their prey.
The bottle-nosed dolphin is probably the most studied of all the dolphin species, which may in part be due to their seeming enjoyment of interaction with humans. Reaching adulthood in 5-9 years, they vary in size from about 1.8m to 3.5m in length, males tending to be slightly larger than females. Dolphins feed on a variety of species of fish, squid and crustaceans, using a very accurate echo-location system to identify and locate their prey. Between June and October the whales congregate in this area to give birth to their calves and breed. Over 50 whales may be seen from the spectacular cliffs at the Head of the Bight between these periods, some very close inshore, lazing or frolicking at the base of the cliffs or off the pristine beaches at the eastern end of the Nullarbor Plain.