(WWSB) -- New research shows humans are playing a bigger part in the amount of dolphin injuries and deaths.
Researchers studied data collected over a decade by experts with the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program and Mote Marine Laboratory.
They found the wild dolphins who are fed by humans are at higher risk of injuries from other human interaction, like boat strikes, fishing gear entanglement, and ingestion of hooks and lines.
In the study area of Sarasota and Manatee counties, the human population has more than tripled and the number of registered boats has quadrupled since 1970 — increasing the chances of dolphin-human encounters.
Even through unintentional means like discarding bait, dolphins become more at risk.
Feeding or harassing wild marine mammals is illegal.
“Even if an animal survives with a wound or entanglement, it might be less able to survive the next challenge,” said Gretchen Lovewell, manager of Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program.
Violators can be fined thousands of dollars, or spend up to a year in jail.
