Ocean lovers keen on spotting a frolicking dolphin or two should head to their local beach in the service of science.
The inaugural Dolphin Census is kicking off on Saturday in NSW across beaches, headlands, estuaries, bays and coastal waterways.
All that is required is an eagle eye along with some binoculars, a passion for conservation, and a bit of patience.
Dolphin Research chief Elizabeth Hawkins is encouraging anyone who cares about dolphins and whales to get involved by recording and reporting their sightings.
"The census is essentially a big step to create a snapshot in time of where we will find dolphins, where and how they're using their habitat, and also the numbers of dolphins all along the coastline - basically at the same time," Dr Hawkins told AAP.
"It gives us a little bit of information to help start filling some very big knowledge gaps in how well our dolphins are doing."
Observers should spend at least 15 minutes continuously watching for dolphins from their favourite vantage points along the NSW coast.
The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin is the most-often cited species in NSW, even though they are globally listed as near threatened.
Dr Hawkins said they are impacted most by human activities ranging from pollution and coastal development to vessel movements and noise pollution.
Other species seen in NSW waters include the Australian humpback dolphin, oceanic dolphins, and Risso's dolphins.
''We need to know more information about these incredible species so we can better conserve their habitat and protect them into the future," Marine wildlife officer Andy Marshall said.
Some 500 volunteers have already signed up to workshops conducted at various locations such as Forster, Coffs Harbour, Lennox Head, Hastings Point, the Tweed Shire, and online.
The census is funded by the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy and is being delivered in partnership with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
