Dolphin feeding continues despite ban

Feeding wild dolphins was outlawed a few years ago, but the marine mammals are unaware of that and apparently so are some boaters, authorities said.

They are trying to get the word out, at least to humans, in the Panama City area where dolphin feeding has been going on for years with some dangerous consequences.

About a month ago, boaters reported seeing a dolphin embedded with fishing hooks. Biologists from Florida State University, Gulf World Marine Park and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found the animal Wednesday but determined it was in no need of rescue.
Ron Hardy, Gulf World's general manager, said a hook had come out of the dolphin's eye and it appeared to be healing.

Dolphin feeding has declined, but the animals are accustomed to it and approach boats for handouts, Hardy said.

NOAA biologist Trevor Spradlin said begging for food was an easy way for dolphins to supplement their diets, but the animals would learn to stay away from boats if people would stop giving in to them.

Charter boat captains also have complained about dolphins waiting for fish to get hooked and then stealing the catch. Hardy said one captain videotaped a pod of dolphins that followed his boat in the Gulf of Mexico looking for a free lunch.

Breaking the dolphins' behavior is going to be difficult and research is needed to come up with new tactics, Hardy said.

Lt. Stan Kirkland of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said dolphins also target undersize fish that anglers toss back.

Kirkland said officers have been advising boaters and commercial operators that dolphin feeding is against the law.

"We do arrest people on occasion, but our focus is ultimately on education," he said.