WDCS was among an initial select group of stakeholders invited to participate in a November 14th workshop established to examine solutions to minimize human impacts on wild dolphins in Florida.

Held at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, the workshop covered wild dolphin feeding, depredation and harassment issues around the state. (Depredation is when cetaceans remove bait from fishing hooks.)  Presenters called for more consistent educational messages that would address problematic and detrimental human interactions with wild dolphins under current federal laws. The workshop was the first step in developing a long term consortium of stakeholders that will work together to provide messages and solutions to address wild dolphin harassment in Florida, and elsewhere. 

Feeding and harassment of wild dolphins is illegal under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, and despite outreach efforts conducted by Mote, NOAA, WDCS and other stakeholders over the past decade, these activities continue to increase.  Harmful interactions with recreational anglers and wild dolphins also appear to be on the rise in Florida, and specifically, dolphins stealing bait/catch from recreational fishing gear.  This is leading to increased deaths or serious injuries of dolphins, as well as a decline in the quality of fishing experience for anglers. 

WDCS has focused on this issue, both in US and international waters, through a variety of campaign initiatives.  In 2000, WDCS published “Chasing Dolphins”, a preliminary report on the failure of existing legislation to protect whales and dolphins from harassment and injury in UK waters.  WDCS helped develop and currently oversees the Dolphin Space Programme in the Moray Firth (see www.dolphinspace.org), a collaborative program with dolphin tour operators to promote responsible commercial vessel operation in and around sensitive dolphin habitats in Scotland.  Similarly, in the US, WDCS helped develop Dolphin SMART, a program designed to reward commercial operators for their adherence to codes of conduct, educational initiatives, and responsible stewardship of dolphins within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (see www.dolphinsmart.org).  Most recently, a third US operator has been recognized under this program.