Recently, the Aruba Marine Mammal Foundation (AMMF) assisted to a stranded dolphin, who had been harassed, chased and mishandled, by jet skiers and beachgoers at the popular Eagle Beach, which has a designated jet ski area. Nestled close to Malmok and the hotel-lined Palm Beach, Eagle Beach lies adjacent to the primary traditional sheltering grounds for dolphins seeking refuge. (Figure 1)
Importance of Responsible Marine Tourism
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by marine mammals, including the impact of human activities on their habitats. The surge in tourist activities has raised deep concerns about the well-being of the shelter seeking dolphins and the preservation of this vital dolphin refuge. AMMF emphasizes the importance of responsible marine tourism and recreational activities to ensure the continued safety and thriving existence of Aruba’s dolphin refuge.
Harmful acts
The incident unfolded when a group of three Stennella attenuata dolphins approached the Eagle Beach area, inadvertently attracting the attention of jet skiers. Rather than respecting the dolphins’ presence and maintaining a safe distance, the jet skiers engaged in a series of harmful behaviors that endangered the wellbeing of the dolphins. The jet skiers chased and encircled the dolphins, took pictures, and in the process separated a young adult dolphin from the rest of its group. The dolphin swam towards the shoreline crowded with beachgoers, where harassment continued, and ultimately led to the stranding of the dolphin. Fortunately, concerned tourists and a local jet ski rental company alerted the authorities, and four compassionate beachgoers stepped in to provide support to the stranded dolphin, until the Aruba Stranding Network (ASN) responders for marine mammals arrived and took over the care of the in distress dolphin.
Species and sheltering behavior in Aruba
The Stenella attenuata is the 2nd most common of the known six dolphin species that traditionally seek refuge in Aruba’s leeward shallow inshore waters when vulnerable and in need, such as when injured, ill, exhausted, or giving birth. They may also seek refuge when weak to escape pursuit from natural predators, such as the pseudorca, orca, and sharks. The most popular refuge spots are the Malmok -Palm Beach and the Southside reef – Mangel Halto areas.
Dolphins are marine mammals that require surfacing to breathe air using their lungs. When weakened by illness or injury, they may struggle to reach the surface or be unable to do so altogether. Individuals from several dolphin species, including Stenella attenuata, Tursiops truncatus, Stenella frontalis, and Steno bredanensis, have been observed seeking refuge in Aruba’s shallow inshore waters, where they recuperate and sometimes sleep with one eye closed (Figure 3). The weakened dolphin adopts a semi-vertical position with its tail resting on the ocean floor, minimizing the effort required to reach the surface for breathing. Some may intermittently swim slowly for a few strokes before returning to the same position. Occasionally solitary weak-lings approach swimmers.
In Aruba, all documented sheltering incidents involving the Stenella attenuata have been non-solo, with the weak-ling having one escort or small groups. In one instance, an escort dolphin was observed continuously spiraling around the weakened individual below the surface, gently nudging its body with its own to assist it in reaching the surface for respiration. (Figure 4) During group sheltering incidents involving the Steno bredanensis, solitary or paired escort dolphins have been observed providing support to the weakened individual for surfacing to breathe by intertwining their pectoral fins, respectively, on one or both sides. Protective sub- groups may remain close by in synchronized rows, occasionally creating distractions, such as approaching swimmers, to keep them away from the weakling. There have been incidents where protective dolphins bumped swimmers who got too close. In other instances, a protective carousel formation has been observed at the surface, with a group of escort dolphins encircling a weakling in their center.
Typically, the dolphin(s) depart for the open sea around sunset. Recovery periods can last for a few hours, a few days in the same area, or weeks, with occasional changes in location.
Give space and seek help
Marine mammals require space and undisturbed conditions to rest and recuperate. AMMF urges the public to refrain from harassing dolphins. The actions of seafarers have a direct impact on the well-being of marine mammals. At all times, when encountering dolphins it is crucial for all vessels (including jet skis, windsurfers and kitesurfers, kayakers) and swimmers to respect their need for space and avoid any disturbance. Promptly notify ASN in any instances involving sheltering or stranded dolphins. ASN will provide guidance on how to help the dolphin while trained responders are on the way.
How to avoid harassment
To protect the well-being of the dolphins and prevent disturbance, maintain a safe distance. Abstain from approaching, touching, grabbing, holding on, following, chasing, encircling, feeding, crisscrossing between dolphins, or blocking their path to open sea. Refrain from excessive noise or commotion near the dolphins, such as banging on the boat, whistling, loud music, or yelling. Refrain from provoking a change in their behavior or attempt to entice them to approach you.
Refrain from sharing social and news media posts. Broadcasting the presence of sheltering and stranded dolphins can draw large crowds and potentially lead to disturbance, exacerbating their stress and disrupting their natural behavior, which is prohibited by Aruba law. In Aruba, such incidents have recurred frequently in the past, leading to uncontrolled situations, that posed risks to both the vulnerable dolphins and human onlookers.
Protection of marine mammals
Worldwide, marine mammals are recognized as sentinels of ocean health and are protected by international conventions (such as the Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife for
the Wider Caribbean Region of the Cartagena Convention – SPAW) and by national laws, to prevent their extinction for the value of biodiversity and because of their importance in the ecosystem. Cetaceans are also protected for moral and ethical reasons, because of their complex minds, intelligence, sentience and self awareness, and their societies and cultures, which led to the 2010 Helsinki Group proclamation of Cetacean Rights.
In Aruba, all dolphin and whale species are classified as endangered and protected, prohibiting their intentional killing, capture, harm, or disturbance under National Decree on Protection of Indigenous Flora and Fauna (AB 2017.48, Art. 1.b.3) and the Nature Ordinance (AB 1995, No. 2, Arts. 4.1, 5, 6, 7). It is not permitted to harass, disturb, and put their wellbeing at risk.
What is considered harassment, disturbance, and endangerment
Harassment includes any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance that has the potential to cause disturbance of a marine mammal.
Disturbance includes any act that causes disruption and alteration of behavioral patterns, including migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, resting, or sheltering. Disturbing marine mammals include approaching, interacting or attempting to, feeding, swimming with, touching, eliciting a reaction from the animals (f.e. whistling or banging on objects), separating a marine mammal from its group or a mother and calf pair, trapping them between a vessel and the shore, or between a vessel and another vessel. The noise and presence of vessels, drones and planes also cause disturbance.
Endangerment includes any act that has the potential to cause harm, injury or death of a marine mammal.
Education and Safety Protocol
AMMF’s priority is to ensure the well-being of marine mammals, including dolphins, and to work towards educating Aruba’s beachgoers, watersport operators, and seafarers to increase awareness and profound understanding of the correct approach in handling such events and the need for adhering to the Aruba marine mammal encounter safety protocol at all times. A safety protocol education program has been prepared during 2023, and will be offered to all watersport operators, boat owners and the coastal community, in the near future.
Acknowledgement
The conservation of Aruba’s marine mammals and their refuge depends on the collaboration of the entire maritime community. AMMF thanks everyone who has always given and continues to give their contribution and respect to the protection of marine mammals, for their collaboration and support, and everyone who contributed to the rescue of the stranded dolphin at Eagle Beach.
About AMMF
The Aruba Marine Mammal Foundation (AMMF) has been the stranding coordinator since 1998. In addition to AMMF volunteers, the Aruba Stranding Network (ASN) also comprises governmental and NGO stakeholders. When encountering a sheltering or stranded dolphin, please contact the ASN responders at 5924333 (AMMF) or 100 (police). For more information please contact AMMFinfo@gmail.com.
