How many dolphins are there in the world?

Although the true dolphin population is unknown, the National Marine Fisheries Service estimates that there are, on average, 29,774 bottlenose dolphins in the North Atlantic and 5,065 on the West Coast, as of 2014. The NMFS also estimates 45,000 located near the Gulf of Mexico.

In the North Atlantic, bottlenose dolphins migrate between New Jersey and North Carolina. These movements have been linked to seasonal changes and feeding habits. Although bottlenose dolphins are affected by pollution and netting, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that are they not endangered. Additionally, bottlenose dolphins can live between 30 to 50 years.