Up until the 1950s fishermen would harpoon dolphins to use as bait in their crab traps. The fishermen knew that once they had killed, a dolphin none from that pod would ever come near that boat again. The boat could be painted or modified but the dolphins would never be caught by that same boat again. That was over forty years ago. Now, we treasure our dolphins.
Charter boats run regular dolphin-watching cruises.
Port Stephens' dolphins are not fed or induced in any way to come to the boats. They do it out of curiosity. If they are not in the mood, they just swim away. When contact is made with the dolphins, there is always excitement. People rush to the sides and bow of the boat.