Last Updated:June 30,. 2009

 

Dolphins Seen on North Shore

• LC Colgate
Over the past several days, large groups of bottlenose dolphins have observed seen
in Cold Spring Harbor,  Oyster Bay and the surrounding environs. 
There are two types of bottlenose dolphins and the ones visiting this area are the coastal variety.  They are rarely seen north of New Jersey and this large a pod is unprecedented in the Long Island Sound.
According to Kim Durham, rescue program director and biologist with The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation, this group seems to be as large as 150.  They have created a great deal of buzz and excitement because they are "congregating all over the place."
The Riverhead Foundation has been following the dolphins and is observing their feeding patterns and watching them play.  Tail slapping and jumping in and out of the water seem to be their favorite pastimes.  Ms. Durham believes they are here because they followed a food source into the Sound.  According to local town officials, there is a preponderance of bait fish in the area and that is a mainstay of the dolphin diet.  They seem to be young and therefore not as wary of humans as they probably should be. 
Bottlenose dolphins are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.  Durham said that it is "absolutely against the law" to swim with the dolphins or feed them.  Make sure you keep a distance if you are boating.  Under federal law, one must stay at least 50 yards away from the dolphins.  If by chance a dolphin does swim up next to your boat, kill your engines, float and be respectful.   
Should you happen to see a dolphin, Ms. Durham encourages residents to call the Riverhead Foundation hotline at 631-369-9829.

 

 

 

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