Ferry passengers from Upolu to Savai'i were recently graced with the sighting of a pod of dolphins swimming alongside their ship as they traveled to the Mulifanua wharf.

One of the passengers took a video of several dolphins from the pod jumping out of the water, putting on a show for those on board the vessel. 

"This is cute," said the unidentified member of the public. 

Dolphins are some of the few marine wildlife protected in Samoa, alongside whales, turtles, and sharks under Samoa’s Marine Wildlife Protection Regulation 2009 and the Amended Regulation 2018. Samoa’s waters are a sanctuary for these species.

Samoa’s resident whale and dolphin expert, Juney Ward said that dolphins caught in the footage could most possibly be the Stenella longirostris or spinner dolphins. 

“These dolphins are found in Samoa all year round because they are resident dolphins. We have other species of dolphins that are residents and found throughout the year too," Ms. Ward said.

"But spinner dolphins are the dolphins that you will see close to the reefs because they come close to the reefs to rest before they head back out to sea to hunt for food. Whales and dolphins in Samoa are protected because we do not hunt or catch them for food or for other purposes so they are not low in numbers. 

According to the dolphin and whale expert, humpback whales that migrate to Samoa between the months of August–November as well as sperm whales are also listed as vulnerable species. 

Under the Marine Wildlife Protection Amendment Regulations 2018, Samoa shall have a national marine sanctuary that provides and recognizes the conservation of whales, dolphins, turtles, and sharks within the country's exclusive economic zone. Protecting marine life is a responsibility for everyone in Samoa to ensure that they are not commercially fished or hunted for game. Samoa's laws protect them so that their numbers can flourish and add to the beauty of Samoa as native species.