|
Nicks 'n' Notches Online
An enewsletter from the
Sarasota Dolphin
Research Program
July 2024
| |
|
Last month we introduced you to the first five calves of the year — now, meet the next five!
During our July 9 survey, we observed three new calves:
- 2274, the fourth calf of Patch (F227);
- 2352, the second calf of F235;
- CVR1, the first calf of Clover (2151), who got her nickname because she has survived injures from a boat propeller and a separate fishing line entanglement. She’s lucky to be alive!
Then, on our July 10 survey, we met:
- LEX1, the first calf of ILEX (1511), named after the genus for Holly, which is her mother’s (F151) nickname;
- MRK1, the first calf of Mudraker (MRKR)
In addition to the 10 living calves, we also noted two other calves that did not survive: 1976, the sixth calf of Mable (F197), and 1418, the eighth calf of Big Shout (F141). A week after Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program (SIP) recovered 1418, Big Shout’s body was recovered. The SIP necropsy showed evidence of a necrotic fluke entanglement, and she was extremely emaciated with recent shark bites.
|
|
Notes from the Lab and Field | |
This month, I’m heading to Greece where we will be working with our partners at the Tethys Research Institute’s Ionian Dolphin Project (IDP) to work with the critically endangered Gulf of Amvrakikos (also known as the Ambracian Gulf) bottlenose dolphin population. During this trip, Senior Researcher and Field Manager Aaron Barleycorn and I will help the IDP team with biopsy dart sampling so they can look at the level of environmental contaminants that might be impacting the dolphins there.
Our research with colleagues in Sarasota Bay and elsewhere has shown that contaminants can impact dolphin health, reproduction and the overall persistence of coastal bottlenose dolphin communities. But pollution is just one human-related factor that can impact dolphins.
Other deadly impacts — some more amenable to mitigation — include boating and fishing-related incidents. So far this year, we have rescued two dolphins (Roy Kent and 2615) that were entangled in fishing gear and, just after the Fourth of July holiday, received reports from the public about a dolphin with an injured dorsal fin.
| |
|
Subsequent surveys by SDRP allowed us to identify the injured dolphin as F312, an 8-year-old male dolphin born to FB90, also known as “Killer.” Since his birth in 2016, we’ve observed F312 more than 220 times, with two-thirds of those observations taking place in Cortez or Palma Sola Bay.
On June 10, 2024, we observed F312 with no fin injuries, other than the distinctive shape of his fin, possibly caused by an interaction with a shark in 2019 that gave his fin a scar at the top left and a slight bend. Then, on July 9, 2024, we observed him with new injuries, likely caused by a boat propeller strike.
| |
|
Over our decades of research, we have shown that most dolphin injuries and deaths from boat strikes in the Sarasota Bay population occur in the weeks surrounding the July Fourth holiday. In fact, one in every 20 Sarasota Bay dolphins has a boat collision scar, and 5% of dolphin deaths of known cause in Sarasota are from boat collisions.
We also know from our research that while boat strike injuries are severe, dolphins can sometimes heal without intervention, as long as injuries involve only soft tissue (for example, dorsal fin injuries). We’ve documented dolphins with similar severe boat injuries go on to live long lives, and even continue to reproduce. (see “Consequences of injuries on survival and reproduction of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) along the west coast of Florida”).
We do know, however, that the disfigurements left behind with such severe injuries make them more susceptible to entanglement in fishing gear and other trash in the water.
Please be a conscientious steward of our marine environment by being vigilant on the water to help prevent dolphin injuries from boat strikes and gear entanglement. The newest dolphins born to Sarasota resident dolphins so far this season are especially at risk as young, naïve calves that do not yet know how to avoid boats or gear.
| |
|
Until next month, here’s to fair winds, following seas and an injury-free dolphin community!
Randy Wells
| |
|
Safe Boating and Fishing Tips
- Please stay at least 50 yards away from dolphins and slow your vessel when they are nearby. If you want to watch the dolphins, be sure to put your motor in neutral and don’t engage your prop until the dolphins have moved on.
- Another way to help dolphins is to wear polarized sunglasses and post a spotter on your boat, especially as you move through shallow waters. The polarized glasses will help cut through the water’s glare and a second set of eyes will help increase your chances of seeing the wildlife in your path.
- Slow down when going through shallow waters. Dolphins are about three feet tall from their bellies to the tip of their dorsal fins. A boat that draws 18 inches cannot pass over a dolphin (or manatee) in 3 to 4 feet of water or less without hitting it, and the animal will always pay the bigger price from the collision.
- And remember: If you see an injured or entangled dolphin or other wildlife while you’re boating in Florida waters, call Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Wildlife Alert Hotline: 888.404.3922 (888.404.FWCC).
| |
|
Name: F340, also known as “Sake”
Age: 4
Sex: Male
A Dolphin's Life: We first observed dolphin F340 after his birth in 2020, and we can trace his lineage back four generations. He is the third calf of a dolphin (F211) nicknamed Ginger, who we helped to rescue after her stranding on Siesta Key Beach back in December 2008. She was treated at Mote Marine Laboratory’s former Dolphin and Whale Hospital and was even the subject of a wonderful children’s book called “No Dead Fish for Ginger! The Story of a Sarasota Bay Dolphin” written by one of our long-time volunteers Cathy Marine (who donates the proceeds book sales to SDRP). We have observed F340 81 times since his birth and, in May, he was the last “patient” during our dolphin health assessments. There’s a definite theme to the nicknames in this dolphin lineage: F340’s grandmom is nicknamed Edamommy; in addition to Ginger, other calves in this lineage are Wasabi and Nori. And now, we have Sake, too! Cheers!
| |
|
Dolphin Biology Research Institute — DBA Sarasota Dolphin Research Program — is dedicated to research and conservation of dolphins and their habitat.
DBRI IS A 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION — FEDERAL TAX ID #59-2288387. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION (#CH1172) AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OR AT WWW.FDACS.GOV/CONSUMER-RESOURCES/CHARITIES. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
| | | | |
