Best fishing practices for avoiding interactions with wild dolphins
National Marine Fisheries Service

PEEP shadowing fishermen in southern Tampa Bay on March 6th, 2006.

These "Best Fishing Practices" were developed in cooperation with NMFS scientists and fishery managers, and other research groups, including the Chicago Zoological Society, Mote Marine Laboratory and Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute. They were developed by reviewing information gathered from research observations at fishing piers and elsewhere, interviewing recreational anglers, and reemphasizing current conservation efforts and existing regulations.

Best Fishing Practices for Avoiding Interactions with Wild Dolphins:

1. Never feed wild dolphins—it is against federal law and is harmful to the dolphins.
2. Avoid tossing leftover bait to dolphins if they are nearby. Make use of leftover bait by taking it home to freeze for later or by giving it to your fishing neighbor.
3. Check your gear and terminal tackle to make sure they are in good shape and will not break too easily, resulting in a lost fish with a hook that could be eaten by a dolphin.
4. Avoid fishing in an area where dolphins are actively feeding—dolphins may mistake your bait or catch for food.
5. Do not release caught fish in the presence of dolphins—this reinforces the association of recreational fishing activities with a food source. Anglers should try to release the fish as far from the dolphin and as quietly as possible.
6. Change fishing locations if dolphins are showing interest in your bait or catch. Some fishing guides and anglers have reported that fishing success may decline at a site where dolphins are actively feeding. If the dolphin does not leave, or if it follows your vessel, we recommend ceasing fishing activity for a short time to discourage the dolphin’s behavior.
7. Do not cast your line toward a dolphin.
8. Use corrodible hooks—any hook other than stainless steel. It may take anywhere from a couple of days, to weeks, or more for a corrodible hook to dissolve. Hooks are made from different alloys, with different coatings, that all affect how long they last. Using corrodible hooks in combination with other preventative measures may help reduce the chance of these interactions, as well as the degree of serious injury caused to the dolphins.
9. Use circle hooks—it is believed that they reduce injuries to fish and dolphins.
10. Never try to reel in a dolphin that may be hooked – if a dolphin is hooked and the hook is set, cut the line as close to the dolphin as safely possible. If the hook is not set, put slack on the line and give the dolphin time to release itself.
11. Stay at least 50 yards away from wild dolphins while boating or using personal watercraft.
12. Stow used fishing line. Make sure to collect any broken or used fishing lines to discard in recycling bins (Please visit the Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program Website for a list of bin locations). If a recycling bin is not available, please discard in a secure bin. It’s against Florida law to intentionally discard monofilament into area waters because such line can kill or injure marine mammals, birds, and sea turtles.