Distressed Dolphin Rescued After Being Caught in Illegal Net Under St. Pete Bridge

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A call from a concerned citizen likely saved the life of a dolphin in distress after its tail got caught in a net in St. Petersburg last week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.

While near a bridge, the citizen “heard the dolphin’s loud, labored breathing coming from under the bridge and observed it struggling to reach the surface of the water.”

The FWC Marine Mammal Response Team quickly arrived on scene and found the dolphin in distress struggling in the water. The dolphin’s tail was tangled in a monofilament net, which was wrapped around the bridge pilings.

“Our team lifted the dolphin to the surface to breathe and exposed a monofilament net wrapped around the dolphin’s tail and anchored to the bridge piling,” the FWC said.

Thanks to their quick action, rescuers were able to restrain the dolphin and allow it to breathe while others worked to remove the net. The dolphin was freed and was able to swim away safely.

“Thanks to the citizen’s prompt reporting, the dolphin was released and swam away alive. If their call had been delayed even a few moments, the dolphin likely would have had no chance of survival,” the agency said. “This response underscores the important role the public plays in wildlife rescue, as this dolphin would most likely have drowned without this citizen’s report to the FWC.”

According to the FWC, entanglements in monofilament and other fishing gear are common threats to marine mammals, potentially causing serious injury or death. After the dolphin was freed, the agency discovered that the net was likely an illegal gillnet.

To ensure anglers have the proper equipment, the FWC encourages citizens to familiarize themselves with fishing regulations and handling methods. Click here for more information.

Anyone who encounters entangled marine mammals or wildlife is urged to contact the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.