Dolphin found dead after
swallowing fishing gear
Mote Marine Laboratory photo
Sarasota Bay dolphin FB93, found dead on Dec. 8, was examined by Mote Marine Laboratory scientists, who reported that it most likely died from swallowing fishing gear. Above, FB93 has fishing line trailing from its mouth to a hook embedded in its "melon," or forehead. Photo taken under authority of Mote's stranding agreement with NMFS.
A local bottlenose dolphin was found dead Dec. 8 in Venice Inlet and examined by Mote Marine Laboratory scientists, who report that it most likely died from swallowing fishing gear. This case serves as a reminder to keep waterways clear of fishing line and other trash that can harm marine animals.
The female dolphin was 27 years old — relatively young — and was part of the year-round resident population of bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, according to the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, a collaboration between Chicago Zoological Society and Mote that has monitored and studied the local population for 42 years. This dolphin, known as FB93, had been observed since 1985.
