Cocoa Beach, FL (May 10) — Clearwater Marine Aquarium participated in a multi-agency disentanglement of a bottlenose dolphin calf in the Banana River (lagoon), near Cocoa Beach, FL on May 10, 2017. The mom and calf were safely captured and the calf was successfully disentangled, removing all fisheries gear that caused life-threatening entanglements involving both gapes of the mouth and both pectoral flippers.
Organizations involved included the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), SeaWorld, Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSRI), Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI), Georgia Aquarium’s Dolphin Conservation Field Station (DCFS), Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA), and FWC Law Enforcement.
Another important reminder to always properly dispose of fishing gear and marine debris!
Rescue efforts and images authorized by NOAA Fisheries.