PEOPLE OF INTEREST
The DOLPHIN RESEARCHER
ANTHONY INSWASTY
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Nicole Mader, a field biologist with the Dolphin Ecology Project, enjoys relaxing at home with her dog, Salty.
For Nicole Mader, going to her job hardly seems like
work. It’s almost a mini-vacation. As a volunteer field
biologist with the Dolphin Ecology Project, she studies
and monitors Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in the southern part
of the Indian River Lagoon down to Jupiter Inlet. Aboard the
Julie Mae with her dog, Salty, nearby, she carefully photographs
and gathers data of those playful marine mammals who can
tell us more about the health of our local waters.
“Dolphins are a top predator in our estuaries,” she explains.
“They are a great indicator species on what’s happening
with our environment. I want to make sure that dolphins
have a voice in this area because of the water quality issues
we are facing.”
A South Florida native, Mader was destined to spend her
life on the water. Her father was a local boatbuilder and
former president of the Rybovich super yacht marina and
facility in Palm Beach County. During her childhood, she frequently
traveled to the Bahamas with her family, where she
first became acquainted with dolphins.
“I would see them swimming in those clear blue waters
as a kid,” she recalls. “I’ve just always been drawn to them.
I actually dream about them. Working with dolphins is all I
wanted to do.”
During her early years, Mader fueled her passion for
marine life by visiting the Environmental Studies Center in
Jensen Beach. Today, she remains actively involved with the
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BY DONNA CRARY