David Donnelly

David Donnelly is a Melbourne based marine researcher and science communicator with a passion for marine conservation. He has extensive experience in a range of scientific disciplines as well as field experience ranging from fine-scale monitoring of the intertidal zone to open ocean surveys.

David is currently employed by the Dolphin Research Institute where he is responsible for vessel-based activities, project management and mentoring the next generation of marine mammal scientists. He is also employed by Melbourne based marine environmental consultancy firm ‘Fathom Pacific’.

David has spent the last 25+ years working alongside some of the world’s leading marine mammal scientists, studying whales and dolphins across Australia, the South Pacific, New Zealand and the Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic. He has worked with the Australian Antarctic Division, the Australian military and the Department of Conservation, New Zealand and is currently affiliated with three Australian universities.

Locally, David is coordinator of two citizen science project: Two Bays Whale Project and Killer Whales Australia. He also coordinates field efforts in the study of local dolphin communities, including the unique Port Phillip common dolphins with the Dolphin Research Institute.