On January 27, 2017 the Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder unit was alerted to the plight of an Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin entangled in a crab pot. Around 7 a.m., shortly after receiving the call from the National Marine Fisheries Service, the MMR team was scouring the ocean side and bay side waters half a mile off Lignumvitae Key.
Working with Captains Matt and Ann Bellinger of Bamboo Charters, the group quickly located boaters who had made the initial call. The crew soon spotted a 2-3 year old dolphin entangled in two crab pots, struggling to fight to the surface to breathe.
Acting quickly, the MMR unit freed the young dolphin, who was swimming off into open water by 11:30 a.m. All in all, a good day on the water!
If you are interested in donating to or volunteering for the not-for-profit MMR unit, please contact art@dolphinsplus.com. If you see a marine mammal in distress, please call 1-888-404-FWCC or 1-888-404-3922