Markets 
A dolphin calf has washed up on the foreshore next to the Blue Boat House in Crawley, sparking an urgent warning on fishing line responsibility.
The young animal was found on Tuesday morning with deep cuts to its snout and notches on its dorsal fin – something the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions said was consistent with dolphin entanglement incidents.
While it isn’t confirmed, the DBCA believes the calf is Bindi Bindi, a three-month-old dolphin that was spotted in the Swan Canning Riverpark in August.
“During a survey yesterday, we observed Bindi Bindi, a young dolphin calf, entangled in fishing line. Unfortunately, this is another case of a young calf becoming entangled in fishing line within the Swan Canning Riverpark,” the department said in a post to its social media last month.
“The line appears tightly wrapped around the calf’s mouth, cuts across the base of the dorsal fin and is also believed to extend around the pectoral fins.
“Bindi Bindi was observed swimming slowly, with mum Click nearby.
“At three months of age, Bindi Bindi is currently the youngest calf in the Swan Canning Riverpark dolphin community, making this a particularly concerning situation for both mother and calf.
Bindi Bindi was last seen on August 24, still with fishing line wrapped around its body.
“Unfortunately, the complexity of the entanglement has ruled out simpler boat-based intervention,” DBCA said.
In an updated post on Friday, the River Guardians (an arm of the DBCA) said they believed the dolphins to be the same.
“Photographs of Bindi Bindi were compared with post-mortem images. Bindi Bindi was last sighted on August 24 despite extensive efforts to locate her. Based on these comparisons, the calf is believed to be Bindi Bindi,” the post said.
“Although the scars and other identifying features are a close match, decomposition has affected some of these markers, so a definitive identification can’t be confirmed just yet.
“While no fishing line was found on or near the calf when it was retrieved, evidence of entanglement can be lost over time as a carcass decomposes.”
DBCA Marine and Riverpark rangers retrieved the calf on Tuesday and transported it to Ellam Street, where Dr Delphine Chabanne from Murdoch University examined the animal.
“The next Dolphin Watch scientific vessel survey may help provide more clarity. If Click is observed without her calf and all other known calves are accounted for, it would strengthen the likelihood that the deceased dolphin is Bindi Bindi.”
The department urged people to properly dispose of their fishing line and tackle to keep dolphins safe in the future.
“Discarded fishing line can have devastating impacts on wildlife. If you’re fishing and see a dolphin nearby, reel in your line. Always take unwanted fishing line and tackle with you and dispose of it responsibly,” they said.
“Keep your distance. All vessels, including boats, kayaks, jet skis and stand-up paddleboards, must stay at least 100m from dolphins. People and dogs must stay at least 50m away.
“If a dolphin approaches you, remain still and move away slowly when it is safe to do so.”
If an injured dolphin is spotted, contact the Wildcare Helpline.
From our partners
Read the full article here
