I had my first shift of the year last week. Going to our beach is always a pleasure, but when I have the opportunity to see wild dolphins and their unique ’Strand Feeding’ behavior, I also feel so very fortunate.
Strand Feeding is when dolphins herd fish up onto the beach by making a wave and then thrust at least half of their bodies up onto the sand, essentially stranding themselves, to catch and eat just one fish. They catch a fish and then quickly return to the water. Usually a group of dolphins, two to five, do this together. The result is a lot of splashing, fish flopping, some noise, a meal for the dolphins and some fascinating viewing. I saw this happen three times during my shift last week.
There are only a handful of places in the world where dolphins Strand Feed. Feeding this way is only one of the methods used to catch fish and is a learned behavior. Young dolphins are taught by their mother if she is one of those who feed this way. After birth, the calf will nurse for more than a year and then typically stays with their mother for three to six years. During that time the calf will learn to Strand Feed.
There are more than 300 dolphins in low country waters around Charleston. Of those, only a few Strand Feed. In the immediate area around Seabrook and Kiawah we have documented only two or three Strand Feeding females. If a mother is harassed or threatened by dogs or people, either in boats or on the beach, she is likely not going to strand feed and may not teach her calf to do so. Since female dolphins calve only once every three or four years, it would not take long for this learned behavior to disappear should mothers stop teaching their calves for any reason.
A group of Seabrook residents, myself included, volunteer to spend up to 4 hours (2 hours before and after low tide) on the beach at the Kiawah River inlet twice a month throughout the spring, summer and fall months. A similar group from Kiawah are on the opposite side of the inlet. We are there to educate people about the dolphins and to record data for scientific research. Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network (LMMN), lead by Lauren Rust, coordinates our activities and teaches us about the dolphins.
I became involved last year after watching a very disturbing Youtube video where someone tried to jump onto the dolphins while they were Strand Feeding. The incident occurred on the same stretch of beach where we now serve as volunteers. For me, if my presence deters such incidents from ever happening again, then it is well worth my time.
If you make the mile+ walk from board walk #1 to the Kiawah River inlet, also known as the ‘Spit’, and you are fortunate enough to see dolphins, please stand back at least 15 yards and do not try to get into the water with them. They may swim near you or even Strand Feed nearby, seemingly oblivious to your presence. But they know you are there and are just as likely to move on to another area or stop feeding altogether. It is not worth the risk of losing this behavior to future generations for a few pictures today. (Besides, with the cameras today and even our phones, the quality and zoom capability makes it very easy to get great pictures from 15 yards away.) Please give the dolphins some space so my grandchildren and yours will be able to see Strand Feeding many years from now.
While you are there a volunteer may approach to encourage you to view from a distance. Our purpose is only to teach people about this rare and wonderful gift we have on Seabrook and Kiawah Islands. If you would rather be left alone, just politely let us know and we will move on.
We hope you have a chance to see these wonderful animals and their unique behavior. It is all too easy to take these sightings for granted. Not long ago I was reminded how special our island is when friends from Canada were visiting and became so excited to see dolphins just a few yards away in the water. Unfortunately, we did not see any Strand Feeding that day. I can only imagine what their reaction would have been.
Here are a few facts about dolphins. Should you encounter a volunteer, I am sure they can share more with you. Just ask.
- Dolphins only strand on their right side.
- A dolphin can swim at speeds of over 30km/hour and dive as deep as 250m.
- They weigh an average of 660 pounds and can reach a length of just over 13 feet.
- A dolphin can hold its breath for 10-15 minutes.
- Bottlenose dolphins, the type we have here at Seabrook, live typically between 30 and 50 years. Dolphins in captivity live much shorter lives than wild dolphins.
- The dolphins in our area Strand Feed at almost anytime, however, the prime time is about an hour before and after low-tide.
- It is a good bet that you will see them in the Kiawah River inlet between Seabrook Island and Seabrook Island.
If you witness dolphins being harassed you should contact either the beach patrol (843-718-6083) or security (843-768-6641). The US Government has passed the Marine Mammal Protection Act which makes it illegal to harass or interfere with the dolphins. Fines can be as much as $100,000. You can learn more about the act here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/laws-policies#marine-mammal-protection-act
Article by: Philip Miller
Credit for the images to Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network, Lauren Rust
