Some of the dolphins off Rumson in July, shortly after they moved upriver from the Shrewsbury to the Navesink.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which has jurisdiction over the pod of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins that has been in local inland waters since June, has decided not to try luring or driving the animals out to sea, the agency says in a press release issued this morning.
From the announcement:
Monitoring by NOAA dolphin researchers over the past week revealed no indications of stress, illness, or feeding problems. They identified 12 individuals moving easily from the Navesink to the Shrewsbury in two groups.
“These animals are in typical habitat, food is present, and we have no reason to believe they are stressed,” said Teri Rowles, director of NOAA’s National Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Program. “We’re not going to interfere in what appears to be a completely natural phenomenon, especially when doing so carries a high risk of harming healthy animals.”
NOAA consulted with a number of experts on the condition and behavior of these animals in this habitat and determined the conditions of the estuary are well within those tolerated by bottlenose dolphins.
There is also general agreement that efforts to move the animals from the area by luring, chasing, or catching them for relocation would be difficult, potentially dangerous for the animals and people, and not likely to succeed.
“Migratory bottlenose dolphins likely expand and contract their range in response to changes in environmental conditions, and this may well be what we are seeing,” said Larry Hansen, a NOAA researcher who studies the northern coastal stock of bottlenose dolphins to which this group most likely belongs. “They can spend the winter in colder water and even endure icy conditions, as long as there is enough to eat.”
NOAA has scheduled a press conference for early this afternoon.
Earlier this year, they expressed concern for the dolphins and fear that letting them stay in the river would likely yield a poor outcome…now, they are not concerned at all!?
I was told the fish that they feed on leave the river in the fall. Aren't they going to starve to death?
Are there any wildlife groups that are willing to do something? If yes, let me know; I'll get the funding together for a rescue operation.
Alison
im tired of hearing about these dolphins. Let the dolphins be they got themselves were they are and if they are going to leave they can do it on there own.
Allison,
They are wild animals that have been having a pretty good time of things this summer fattening up in some nice inland waters. When there food runs or leaves they will follow it to someplace else…just like every other wild animal on this planet. They are not abandoned 2 year olds in a forest they will be fine. How about you raise some $$$ for the homeless they probably need it more
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2008
(732) 671-3206
Kyrillos Very Concerned about Decision Not to Move Dolphins
Senator Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth/Middlesex) issued the following statement regarding the NOAA’s Fisheries Service announcement that there will be no effort to move the dolphins out of the Shrewsbury/Navesink Rivers:
“I am very concerned by this announcement and these experts better be sure that their inaction is what will ultimately turn out to be best for the dolphins.
“They should learn from the mistakes of the past and do whatever necessary to ensure the safety of these dolphins. Unfortunately, after today’s announcement, I fear this will not be the case.
“I will continue to ensure that NOAAA monitors the dolphins and it is my belief that they should take swift action at the first indications of stress for the dolphins, whether it is ice spots on the river or signs of sickness in any of the mammals.”
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"Signs of sickness"? Uh, Joe, two dead juveniles? That would be two "signs of sickness," no?
I say we dress Michael Phelps up in a dolphin costume and have him swim out to sea, leading the others.
I was hitting golf balls at them the other day. Thought it would scare them off.
Dolphins are wonderful creatures but honestly, the current state of this STATE and country really put this on a back burner.
How about some federal spending on fixing our economy, getting jobs for people getting laid off from the economy, and putting a stop to these oil barons raping our wallets?
When people are wondering where they are going to get money to pay their mortgage, who really cares about 5 dolphins?!
Hey joe, It's an insult that you put in the time and effort to put out that press release about dolphins, but you can't baby sit pelosi, dodd, and the rest of the idiots in Washington. Why didn't you do a press release when you were flushing our money down the toilet? Washington is destroying the country, and your fiddling around with dolphins, GREAT. THANKS joe
How about we don't allow one thing to affect thr other? They are not mutually exclusive.
And besides, what we could use is some good news–something to uplift our spirits.
I can't help the Fed, but I can help these dolphins, and I am going to try.
We all reserve the right to pick and choose our battles.
What are you doing to make a difference?
get a life and focus your efforts someplace where they r needed