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Dead Dolphins In NJ Worry Some
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 27, 2013
Modified Jul 28, 2013
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 27, 2013
Modified Jul 28, 2013
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Multiple dolphin deaths are concerning some in NJ; the Press of Atlantic City reports, "In the past week, six dolphins have washed up dead or dying on beaches."
According to Robert Schoelkopf, of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, "Two of the dolphins showed signs of being caught in some type of fishing net, Schoelkopf said, an indication the animals were ensnared during a commercial fishing operation. A third dolphin washed up with its throat slit, the knife wound running all the way down to its stomach, he said." He contacted the Bureau of Marine Fisheries to see "if there is some type of commercial fishing operation that was observed."
The dolphins washed up in Long Beach Township, Holgate, Barnegat Light, Ocean City and Ship's Bottom. Commercial fishing fleets are required to report any accidental catchings of marine mammals. A marine mammal stranding coordinator with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries told the Asbury Park Press, "It may be unusual, but it’s not necessary to cause alarm right now."
Another NOAA representative indicated that the combination of warm weather (meaning, more boats in the area) and dolphins' migration patterns might result in more dolphin strandings. Also, with the increase in dolphins in the area, the more likely it is for old or sick dolphins to wash ashore.
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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