Local nonprofit issues a plea to boaters after a rise in the number of dolphins hit by boat propellers
by Jenny Peterson | Current Staff Writer
A rise in the number of dolphins struck by boat propellers near Folly Beach has caused a marine mammal non-profit to issue a public plea for awareness to not approach or “chase” dolphins in local waterways.
“We responded to a third dolphin near Folly Beach that had been struck by a boat propeller since September. Two of them died, one was followed and appeared to have survived its injuries, but is now without a dorsal fin,” said Lauren Rust, executive director of the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network. “As we were necropsying the (deceased) dolphin, we watched two boaters chasing and approaching dolphins within several feet of them. The Folly River has long been on our radar for boaters harassing dolphins, and these (instances) were all in the same area, in the Folly River and near Morris Island.”
The non-profit organization’s 24/7 hotline takes calls about injured, dead, or distressed marine mammals as well as reports of boaters harassing the mammals.
“We’re the first responders for the state. We’re the only group that comes out,” Rust said. The group responds to about 50-60 marine mammal reports each year in South Carolina.
While the majority of deceased marine mammals died of natural causes or poor health (and a necropsy, or marine mammal autopsy, report is taken along with samples to confirm), all too often does the group observe dolphins with prop marks on their backs and fins, or discover that a deceased dolphin has ingested plastic or another man-made hazard.
“It’s usually one death that we respond to from boat propeller, but three (occurrences) in this small area in two-and-a-half months is a lot and very alarming. And those are just the three instances that we were made aware of,” Rust said. “It’s really frustrating because while we were out there working on this third animal that was hit by a boat, we watched two boats chase dolphins nearby.”
Rust notes that dolphins are federally protected, and federal recommendations say to keep 50 yards away, which is half a football field. If dolphins are near a boat or swimming under it, Rust suggests putting the boat in neutral until they swim away. Never feed dolphins or otherwise entice them to come to the boat.
“Certainly, don’t go rushing up to dolphins as fast as possible so you can get a great picture,” she said.
The Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network aims to bring awareness to and protect the area’s 300 resident dolphins that live in our rivers year-round.
“Sometimes it’s unintentional where dolphins collide with a boat, but we do see videos of people getting way too close, as close as possible, to get pictures,” Rust said. “There are a lot of boats on the water, so everyone needs to do their part to protect the animals.”
To report a distressed or injured marine mammal or to report harassment of marine mammals, reach the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network anytime at (843) 410-7990.
