When the dolphins are out, “It’s just boats, boats, boats parked out there,” says Ruben Nagy of McLoone’s Rum Runner.
Amid rising concern about their safety, a pod of dolphins will be led out of the Shrewsbury River toward open water before the Independence Day holiday if they don’t leave on their own, redbankgreen has learned.
Bob Schoelkopf, director of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, says federal and state marine agencies yesterday came up with a plan to “extricate” the dozen or more bottlenose dolphins out of concern that a flotilla of recreational vessels arriving for the holiday would seriously endanger them.
“Unfortunately, there’s a narrow window of opportunity,” Schoelkopf says. “We’re expecting 20,000 or so boats on the water [in the vicinity], so that’s a problem.”
Past efforts to save animals trapped in the waterway haven’t yielded positive results, Schoelkopf says. He cited a 1993 effort to remove dolphins that had spent the summer and fall in the river; an attempt to get them out ahead of a freeze only resulted in the mammals swimming under the ice, where they drowned.
“They’ve never had a happy ending before,” he says.
He declined to say what measures would be taken to induce the dolphins to leave, fearing that amateurs might attempt it on their own.
The National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Coast Guard and marine operations of the New Jersey State Police and state Fish & Game agency are expected to participate in the effort, along with several nonprofits, such as Schoelkopf’s center.
The daily appearances of the dolphins in the Shrewsbury between Rumson and Sea Bright since Father’s Day have been a delight to customers at McLoone’s Rum Runner restaurant, employees say. The animals often frolic just a few hundred feet from the eatery’s outdoor patio, giving patrons quite a performance.
“I keep joking that they’re Tim McLoone’s trained dolphins — shows at 7 and 9,” says restaurant staffer Ruben Nagy.
But the waterway is frequently crowded with boats and jet skis carrying gawkers, raising concern among onlookers and the marine conservationists alike.
“It’s just boats, boats, boats parked out there,” Nagy says. “The Coast Guard comes in and drives them away. They’re doing a great job, but they can’t be here 24 hours a day.”
Many of the watercraft operators are mindful, says Schoelkopf, but “a small percentage of them feel they’re on vacation and they shouldn’t have to move.”
Schoelkopf says it’s unknown why the dolphins are in the river, but he speculates they were heading south from Sandy Hook Bay and made a wrong turn, getting trapped. “In their minds, they’re going south, but don’t know they have to go north again” to reach the open sea.
And despite their apparent playfulness and health, he says the animals are likely stressed out by confusion, and thus not eating enough to remain healthy.
The Cape May County Herald has a story and video of dolphins in the waters off the Wildwoods and Cape May. Every year, it seems, about 600 dolphins return to the area to calve.
coming soon to a mcLoones near you— mahi mahi
If I were Mr. McLoone I would ask Ruben to wash his hair and pull it back over his ears. I would request a different server if he showed up at my table. I am sure Ruben is just oiling his hair with something like many kids do but after all is said and done oil attracts dust and dirt. How many times during a shift do you think he pushes that wisp of hair dangling in front of his face back?
Hey Alex…did it occur to you that maybe Ruben had just washed his hair and it was/is still wet? Or will you just keep making assumptions
No it didn't PK. I will live by my assumptions. Where did he wash it in the sink or in the Navesink?
Hey Alex, are you a balding man? I ask cause your ugly comment is one that could only come from an obnoxious, miserable, middle aged, balding slob. Take your envy else where. Better Yet> >> People like you should do everyone else a favor… end it. Ya know what I mean? LOL!!!
Anyway,I think Ruben's hair is lovely!
***Muah***
Gia,
I think you are lovely too Gia. Obnoxious and middle aged, YES I AM. Bald , no. As a matter of fact at 45 years old I have all of my hair and am not greying, not that that should matter. My mother is in her late 60's and has a full head of jet black hair too, and it doesn't come from a bottle. Gia, what issues do you have with bald men? Why would you be so harsh as to suggest someone "end it"? What are you suggesting here? End what? I would be very careful answering this question if I were you. As for Ruben, I think he is a very handsome young man, my point reflects a sanitary issue not one concerning looks. I am sorry we don't see common ground on this. Perhaps my "shallowness knows no depths", or maybe yours does. By the way tell Pat Menna the BALD mayor of Red Bank and Jim Curley the BALD councilman and our future representative how ugly they are and that they should end it too. Bless the Dolphins, I hope the efforts to rescue them will not "end it" for them!
Are you people serious? Think about the conversation we are having. Everyone just leave Ruben and Rubens hair alone. I'm sure he's a fabulous waiter… and perfectly sanitary! AMEN!
sheesh, leave the kid alone!
I couldnt have said it better myself. And that is why I Opted not to respond to rude one, simply said my peace.
***MUAH***
ORIGINALLY
CAME HERE TO READ ABOUT THE DOLPHINS AS THEY ARE SO DEAR TO ME.
I'VE BEEN SOOOO WORRIED ABOUT THEM. ANYONE HEARD NEW UPDATE/PLAN ON HOW THIS SITUATION IS GOING TO BE HANDLED. HOW MUCH LONGER CAN THIS DIRE NEED BE IGNORED?
In regards to the dolphins…aside from being an animal lover, I have interacted with these magnificent creatures on a very personal level. I am constantly agonizing over various attempts that could be implemented fairly easy if this society in which we live would learn to stop being so self-absorbed and perhaps take a moment to recall just how amazing these creatures are and how they have actually saved humans in "dire" situations…It truly disgusts me that they may actually let this ever so crucial situation attempt to resolve itself…We know why they ended up here, and although they are amazingly intelligent, we also know why they won't make it back to where they need to…We know so much about them, yet the attempts to save them have been more or less laxidasical..pitiful to say the least. We have been blessed to have these creatures pay us a visit, and they are breathtaking to watch to say the least…but we all know what the end result will be if they don't say farewell…So we need to act…I'm personally willing to do whatever it takes to help…money is no issue so at any cost…I'm willing to do whatever I possibly can to help…I refuse to witness another failed attempt based on sheer selfishness and stupidity…Something must be done soon!
In regards to the dolphins…aside from being an animal lover, I have interacted with these magnificent creatures on a very personal level. I am constantly agonizing over various attempts that could be implemented fairly easy if this society in which we live would learn to stop being so self-absorbed and perhaps take a moment to recall just how amazing these creatures are and how they have actually saved humans in "dire" situations…It truly disgusts me that they may actually let this ever so crucial situation attempt to resolve itself…We know why they ended up here, and although they are amazingly intelligent, we also know why they won't make it back to where they need to…We know so much about them, yet the attempts to save them have been more or less laxidasical..pitiful to say the least. We have been blessed to have these creatures pay us a visit, and they are breathtaking to watch to say the least…but we all know what the end result will be if they don't say farewell…So we need to act…I'm personally willing to do whatever it takes to help…money is no issue so at any cost…I'm willing to do whatever I possibly can to help…I refuse to witness another failed attempt based on sheer selfishness and stupidity…Something must be done soon!
airlift the dolphins, im sure that Sarah palin can skin them…
prob the same recipe for "haarp" seal!!
Dana Maybe a pathfinder giant delux waterproof and a moonroof? LOL they can I-95 bak 2 busch gardens………