Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service fines fisherman for feeding dolphin

A fisherman didn’t realise he was doing the wrong thing when he fed a wild dolphin, now he’s been fined more than $400 for his decision.

A fisherman been slapped with a $431 fine after he was caught on camera hand feeding a wild dolphin during a fishing trip in Queensland.

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) was alerted to an online video showing a man hand feeding a wild dolphin at Tin Can Bay, in the state’s Wide Bay region.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) officers reviewed the video, which shows several adult dolphins and a calf approaching the boat.

A man has been fined $431 for illegally hand feeding a wild dolphin: Queensland Department of Environment and Science

“The video then 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.

“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.

“Strict conditions apply to the feeding activities at Barnacles cafe, 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.

“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.”

Wildlife authorities say it can be dangerous for wild dolphin to be fed by people if not regulated. Picture: Queensland Department of Environment and Science

The Barnacles Cafe in Tin Can Bay is one of the only places you can legally feed a dolphin under the legislation. Picture: Queensland Department of Environment and Science

The maximum penalty in Queensland for feeding wild dolphins is $11,500.

Ms Ball said skippers needed to be respectful of dolphins when interacting with them in the wild.

“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,” she said.

“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.”

The video uploaded online caught the attention of authorities. Picture: Queensland Department of Environment and Science

Ms Ball urged people not feed the marine mammals as that can cause health issues from being fed fish that is not fresh or part of their natural diet, such as pilchards.

“There are other risks that people must be aware of, including dolphins associating boats and people with free food,” she said.

“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.

“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.”

Originally published as Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service fines fisherman for feeding dolphin