A recent large-scale survey for inshore dolphins in the northern Great Barrier Reef Marine Park led by Daniele Cagnazzi, was conducted to cover major monitoring gaps identified in the Reef 2050 Plan. Findings indicated that both Australian humpback and snubfin dolphins are found in very low numbers in the northern Great Barrier Reef. Extremely concerning is the low population estimate of snubfin dolphins (N ~ 600), with the majority of the sightings in Princess Charlotte Bay (PCB). Based on the data, PCB is the only area in the northern GBRMP with a resident population of snubfin dolphins, and potentially one of the largest in the GBRMP. PCB may be a source population and a key area for the survival of snubfin dolphins in the GBRMP and supports a significant population of Australian humpback dolphins and dugongs. To assess the critical value of PCB to threatened inshore dolphins, the Queensland Department of Environment, Tourism Science and Innovation in collaboration with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Yintjingga Aboriginal Corporation and Cape Melville and Howick Islands Aboriginal Corporation are conducting 3 years dedicated mark-recapture survey. Results from the first-year support original expectation with PCB supporting one of the largest populations of snubfin dolphin along the east coast of Queensland as well as resident populations of Australina humpback dolphin and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. Results from the first year of survey confirm PCB as a key area for the conservation of threatened inshore dolphin species in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.