The case of Zachary Brandon Barfield, while extreme, is not as rare as you might think. Barfield was sentenced to 30 days and given a $51,000 fine after being convicted of poisoning dolphins with an unlawfully used pesticide and killing dolphins with a firearm.
The frustration makes sense. A nice day on the water fishing goes downhill quickly when a dolphin comes along and takes your bait or fresh catch. But according to biologists, this kind of behavior is often reinforced by humans.
When fishermen retaliate against dolphins stealing their catch, it’s often out of anger and pure frustration. According to scientists, Panama City, Florida is a historically known hot spot for dolphin feeding and interacting with humans.
Over the years biologists have studied the Panama City area. They’ve spent a lot of time and resources working to educate fishermen, the public, and tour boat operators about the dangers of feeding wild dolphins. The same dolphins that humans feed nearshore in Panama City to bring them closer to see on a tour, or attempt to swim with then learn to associate people and boats with food. These same dolphins are also more likely to go after fishermen's catch father offshore. This learned behavior is dangerous for both dolphins and humans.
A recent study found that the coastal waters off Panama City had the greatest rates of dolphin interactions with fishermen in Florida, most likely stemming from dolphins being conditioned to people from illegal feeding and from close interactions with vessels in waters around Panama City.
Dolphins have learned to associate food with people and the sounds of boats. When people and boats are present, they beg for food instead of searching for it on their own. This conditioning often leads to dolphins taking a fisherman’s bait and catch right off their lines or waiting boat side to feed on thrown-back fish, which has become very problematic in waters off Panama City.
Humans can Take Action to Protect Dolphins
While biologists continue to study safe ways to deter dolphins, ultimately it really is up to us. We have to stop feeding them and observe dolphins from a safe distance. If we do better, they will be better.
Barfield is not alone, there are many case studies pointing to people hurting dolphins interfering with their fishing trip. The best way to protect your catch and reduce the chances of dolphins feeding on discarded fish is to leave the area. If they approach your boat while you’re fishing, pull in your lines and move to another fishing spot. Encourage others to do the same. If you see something, say something to keep people from feeding wild dolphins and help end the cycle.
While we appreciate and understand people wanting to get closer to these amazing animals, we are loving them to death by trying to get too close. Dolphin feeding and human interactions is why they end up injured, poisoned or even worse—dead.
Please help us help dolphins—stop feeding and attempting to swim with them, and report illegal behavior to our NOAA Office of Law Enforcement hotline (800) 853-1964. Ultimately if we do better, both dolphins and fishermen will benefit!
