First Footage of Dolphins Using Seashells to Catch Fish Captured in Australia

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia, documented the first-ever video of bottlenose dolphins engaging in 'shelling'—a technique where they use seashells to catch fish. This occurred in the Great Sandy Marine Park, Queensland, from July to October 2025. The findings, published in Marine Mammal Science, were shared by lead author Dr. Alexis Levengood while aboard a research vessel near Hervey Bay. The footage reveals dolphins corralling fish into shells and then draining them. This marks the first instance of shelling recorded on the east coast of Australia, a behavior previously noted only in Western Australia. Additionally, a young dolphin was seen mimicking its mother, indicating social learning. Older images from 2019 suggest this behavior might have been practiced for years.