According to Angie Gullan, "conscious interaction" with wild dolphins refers to a philosophy and practice where human engagements with dolphins are initiated by the dolphins themselves, ensuring that the interactions are on the dolphins' terms rather than forced or manipulated by humans. Here's how Angie defines and implements this approach:

 

• Respect for Autonomy: The key principle is to allow dolphins to choose whether and how they want to interact. This means swimmers and boats should wait patiently for the dolphins to approach rather than chasing or herding them. 

​

• Non-Invasive Interaction: Angie emphasises passive, non-intrusive encounters. This involves observing dolphins from a distance or entering the water only when dolphins show interest in human presence, often through behaviours like circling or approaching swimmers.

​

• Education and Awareness: Before any interaction, Gullan ensures participants are educated about dolphin behaviour, the importance of not disturbing their natural activities, and the need to respect their space. This education aims to turn tourists into advocates for dolphin conservation.

​

• Behavioural Observation: Through years of observation, Angie and her team have learned to recognize signs of dolphins' willingness to engage, such as specific vocalizations, body language, or repeated approaches. This knowledge informs when and how interactions should proceed.

​​