A man has been fined more than $400 for hand-feeding a dolphin while on a fishing trip after Queensland’s environment department was tipped off to a social media video showing the incident.
Footage of the man cutting up a fish into small pieces and feeding it to the dolphin at Tin Can Bay, south of K’gari (Fraser Island), was posted online and later reviewed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS).
“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.
As a result, the man was fined $431 – although it could have been far worse for him.
“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,” Ball said.
“People in boats and swimming in the water also need to give dolphins space, and must keep at least 50 metres away if they are in the water.
“Skippers must not approach within 150 metres in front of and behind a pod of dolphins and 50 metres if approaching from the sides of the pod.
Read Related Also: Support Pours In For Bruce Willis & Family After Dementia Announcement
“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.
Shark’s dorsal fin ‘zipped back up’ after serious damage
“People who ignore these rules risk maximum penalties up to $17,000.”
Ball said feeding dolphins can create unexpected dangers.
“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.”
Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.
