Man fined for feeding wild dolphin at Tin Can Bay

Two brothers out fishing in Tin Can Bay shared footage of one brother feeding a pod of wild dolphins that swam up to them. What happened next was unexpected.

A man has been fined $431 after being caught feeding a wild dolphin from his boat while off the coast of Tin Can Bay.

Feeding a wild dolphin off the coast at Tin Can Bay proven a costly exercise for one man who was caught on film hand feeding the mammal.

A media release from the Department of Environment and Science said the footage, which was shared online, was sent to it by a member of the public.

The video showing several adult dolphins and a calf approaching the boat was reviewed by wildlife officers and the man was hit with a $431 fine.

“The video … shows the man cutting a mullet in pieces and feeding it to one of the adult dolphins on several occasions,” senior wildlife officer Tina Ball said.

“During the investigation, the man admitted to hand feeding a wild dolphin at Snapper Creek while his brother recorded the interaction.

Senior wildlife officer Tina Ball said the video of the man feeding the dolphin was captured by his brother and shared on social media. it was then forwarded to the Department of Environment and Science.

“Both brothers told wildlife officers they were not aware it was an offence to feed wild dolphins as they knew people could pay to feed dolphins at Barnacles Cafe, Tin Can Bay.”

Ms Ball said “strict conditions” applied at the town’s Barnacles Cafe tourist draw, including “the type and the amount of fish the dolphins can be fed, and how long the fish can be frozen for to ensure freshness”.

Revealed: Emails confirm Gympie maternity ward’s closure risk

“This is a regulated activity overseen by the department and ensures the dolphins don’t receive their daily food intake at Barnacles Cafe and continue to hunt for fish in the wild,” Ms Ball said.

“The fine of $431 is much lower than the maximum fine a court can impose for feeding a wild dolphin, which sits at $11,500.

“People in boats and swimming in the water also need to give dolphins space, and must keep at least 50m away if they are in the water.

Revealed: Biggest cause of region’s $50m SPER debt

“Skippers must not approach within 150m in front of and behind a pod of dolphins and 50m if approaching from the sides of the pod.

“If a dolphin approaches a boat within these distances the skipper must disengage the gears or withdraw from the area at a speed less than six knots.

Barnacles Cafe, where guests can feed the dolphins, operates under strict rules to ensure the mammals continue to hunt for their food in the wild.

“People who ignore these rules risk maximum penalties up to $17,000.”

Dolphins associating boats or people swimming with “free food” was another risk to the mammals.

“This can put wild dolphins in danger of being struck by vessels or becoming entangled in fishing gear if they begin to approach boats for food,” Ms Ball said.

“Hand-feeding wild dolphins can also interfere with their natural hunting behaviour and their natural pod behaviour.

“People are advised not to attempt to touch or feed a marine mammal, unless it is part of an authorised dolphin feeding program.”