Unfortunately, the number of marine mammals that strand each year is increasing. Even more alarming is the fact that the majority of these animals are washing ashore dead or dying due to human related activities such as boat strikes, propeller slashings, serious illness from contaminated bait, plastic ingestion, gear entanglement, or from being shot. Public awareness is a key factor in effectively addressing this problem. Most people who engage in these illegal activities do not realize that they are placing the dolphins and themselves at risk. Feeding dolphins can be dangerous to humans as well.
Dolphins can become aggressive and do bite.
Feeding marine mammals in the wild alters their behavior in ways that put them at increased risk of injury and death, and may impact their ability or willingness to forage for food. NMFS encourages viewing most wildlife, especially large mammals, from a safe distance of at least 100 yards to avoid harassment of wildlife and dangerous situations for people. For dolphins, a much smaller animal, passive observation from a safe distance of at least 50 yards with binoculars or a telephoto lens is the best way to observe them in the wild. He has the capability of rapid helicopter aid response by flying in from Baltimore.