Puffer Fish Kills Dolphin

[mrmoshe]

Puffer fish kills dolphin

WO dolphins have died in South Australia from unusual causes in as many weeks.

The first, found near Dublin on Christmas Eve, is thought to have died after becoming entangled in a fishing net.

When another adult male of the same species was discovered near Port Clinton, Project Dolphin Safe was called into action.

Today, the state's Dolphin Trauma Group conducted a post-mortem examination of the second dolphin to determine the actual cause of death.

After a three-hour autopsy, group leader Dr Catherine Kemper, from the SA Museum, said the dolphin died because it had a very large puffer fish stuck in its throat.

"All species make mistakes, just like humans," she said.

"For some reason this adult male, at least 15 years old, was doing silly things. He'd eaten other ones. There were other, smaller puffer fish spines in the stomach. But he met a sticky – or spiny – end by taking one that was too big."

Dr Kemper said the death of the dolphin was initially thought to be a case of entanglement in fishing nets because it had "the most incredible bruising, with distinct line marks".

It looked as if the dolphin's head had been caught in a net.

Project Dolphin Safe president Aaron Machado said it showed how important it was to do a thorough investigation and urged people to report cases of injured or entangled wildlife.

Acting director of fisheries Martin Smallridge said commercial fishers were required to report net entanglements to SA Research and Development Institute and must return trapped dolphins to the water.

Mr Smallridge urged people to report any fishing offences to the freecall 24-hour hotline FISHWATCH, on 1800 065 522, for investigation.