Army Bay dolphin drive-through ‘risky’
Boaties filmed driving illegally through a pod of dolphins are under investigation by the Department of Conservation.
Two speedboats were filmed being driven directly over a pod of dolphins at Army Bay, Whangaparaoa.
The video - shot by drone operator Sam Kynman-Cole from topVIEW Photography - has been supplied to DOC, which is asking for help in the investigation.
‘‘We want to talk to the people who drove the speedboats through the dolphins,‘‘ DOC Auckland Marine Ranger Dr Krista Hupman said.
Hupman asked the drivers, anyone who could identify them, or anyone who spotted a marine mammal being harrassed to call the DOC hotline, 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
She reminded boaties to follow the rules in the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations.
‘‘That is, all boaties must ensure they travel no faster than 10 knots within 300 meters of any dolphins, orcas, whales, seals and sea lions.
‘‘In addition vessels must only approach whales and dolphins from behind and to the side, and must not obstruct the animals path or cut through any group.’’
The drone footage was uploaded to the whale and dolphin watch Whangaparaoa Facebook group where some expressed outrage.
‘‘Some people shouldn’t be allowed on the water. What an idiot on the boat,’’ Brian Howe commented.
Marine experts have long been calling for boaties to take greater care and be aware of aquatic mammals in the Hauraki Gulf.
Coastal-Marine Research Group (C-MRG) PhD student Sarah Dwyer was lead researcher for a paper describing severe propeller strike injuries sustained by an immature bottlenose dolphin in 2014.
‘‘In this instance, the bottlenose dolphin sustained injuries that penetrated to the bone. Considering the severity of the wounds, it was surprising that these injuries weren’t immediately fatal,’’ Dwyer said at the time.
Sam Kynman-Cole made global news headlines earlier this month for his footage of Timothy Stewart swimming with orca, also at Army Bay.
Stewart’s actions are also under investigation by DOC, and he could face fines or prison time should he be found guilty of harassing the marine mammals.