Fishing Litter Causes Death Of Much-loved Dolphin

Days spent searching unsuccessfully for Falcon

Three days of intensive searching for the entangled Port River dolphin known as Falcon has failed to find any trace. It now appears very likely that the dolphin has died and its body drifted into mangroves or out to sea.

"I am frustrated, angry and in despair" said Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) Australasia Managing Director Dr Mike Bossley. This dolphin has probably died a slow, painful death because of the entanglement."

We are getting rid of plastic bags. Now its time we took fishing litter more seriously.

"Recreational fishing litter is hundreds of times worse for marine wildlife than plastic bags. The current case of Falcon is just the tip of the iceberg. Dolphins, sea birds and other wild life are becoming entangled on almost a daily basis. People just have to learn that fishing line is a lethal weapon".

Dr Bossley has received dozens of phone calls, SMS messages and emails from the public enquiring about the entangled dolphin and expressing their distress at its fate.

The WDCS calls on the South Australian Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee (SARFAC) to urgently increase its efforts to promote environmentally friendly angling and offers to work with SARFAC to help develop and promote more responsible fishing practices.

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