Dolphin Education Program
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Did you know that Captain Sams Inlet, which separates Seabrook and Kiawah Islands, is one of the few places in the United States where residents and visitors can regularly see dolphins engage in a unique hunting behavior called "strand feeding?"
Strand feeding occurs when Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) work together in small groups to herd fish towards the shallow water and shore. They then use a powerful wave to push the fish onto the shore. Finally, the dolphins lunge their bodies out of the water and onto the shore to eat the fish. Giving dolphins sufficient space while strand feeding is important minimize harassment and ensure that this unique behavior is not disrupted. The Seabrook Island Dolphin Education Program is a field-based program designed to engage and educate beachgoers while reducing human disturbances to the local dolphin population. The program is managed by the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network (LMMN), under contract with the Town of Seabrook Island, and relies on the support of citizen volunteers. Educators are present at Captain Sams Inlet each day during the peak tourist season to interact with beachgoers and collect valuable data about strand feeding activities. LMMN coordinates a similar program in the Town of Kiawah Island. During the 2020 season, program volunteers were present for more than 126 shifts between April and September and provided more than 504 hours of coverage on the beach. During that period, educators interacted with over 2,950 beachgoers, with most of the visitors showing a positive response to the information and guidelines. Educators also identified and tracked the behavior of 11 individual dolphins, including one 3-year-old calf known as Kai. VolunteerIf you are interested in volunteering with the Town of Seabrook Island's Dolphin Education program, please click the button below to download the volunteer application form.
If you have any questions about volunteering for the Dolphin Education Program, please contact LMMN by email at [email protected] or by phone at (843) 991-6953 for more information.
Helpful TipsHarassing or disturbing strand feeding dolphins not only threatens the continued occurrence of this rare behavior; it’s also a violation of the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act!
Beachgoers should observe the following guidelines when dolphins are present. Strand feeding is most likely to occur between two hours before and two hours after low tide. Tips for viewing dolphins from the beach:
Tips for viewing dolphins from a boat, kayak or other watercraft:
Click here for a complete list of NOAA viewing recommendations. The Town of Seabrook Island prohibits the harassment of dolphins. It is also unlawful for any person to swim in the waters of Captain Sam's Inlet during the period two hours before to two hours after low tide or at any time when dolphins are present. Violations are subject to $500 municipal fine and up to 30 days in jail. Harassing, feeding, or attempting to feed dolphins is also a federal crime punishable by fines of up to $100,000 and up to one year in prison. Any harassment of dolphins should be reported to the Seabrook Island Beach Patrol at (843) 718-6083 or the NOAA Fisheries Law Enforcement Office at (800) 853-1964. |
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Header Photo by Lauren Rust (LMMN)
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