Fisherman get more than they bargained for after rescuing dolphin

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Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:00a.m.

The snapper season is starting to heat up, but a Northland recreational fishing boat hooked more than it bargained for recently.

Skipper Dean Musgrove and deck hand Edan Craig were taking a group fishing off the Mokohinau Islands, just east of Whangarei, when a dolphin swam slowly past.

The dolphin was distressed and exhausted - it had become tangled in a discarded long line, cutting in around its snout and tail..

Mr Craig cut the line away, unsure if it would survive.

It took about five minutes to get its balance – was tipping side to side,” he says.

“We kept it in close view to make sure it would see freedom again.”

Mr Craig describes it as a “pretty quiet moment”, saying there was barely a dry eye on the boat.

“It was a special time I suppose.”

But the story does not end there.
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Comments

31 Dec 2009 08:59a.m.

Rob wrote:

Go DeanMarine

29 Dec 2009 01:23a.m.

Farah Maraikayer wrote:

Dolphin is eaten as delicacy in Japan and many other countries. I dont understand why people cry when a dolphin is slaughtered, while we dont mind relishing ourselves with beef burgers and steaks..why this hypocracy

16 Sep 2009 03:30p.m.

ashley wrote:

awesome to see uncle.
Really proud of you.
Arohanui
Ash

27 Aug 2009 09:47p.m.

Steph wrote:

Here we worry about one dolphin while thousands of these highly intelligent animals are being brutaly slaughtered every year in Taiji or die a very slow death in captivity around the world. If saving one dolphin is worth a story on national TV then the New Zealand nation obviously has a great compassion for these mammals. Therefore, I believe that Campbell Live should write a story about what Ric O'Berry and his team are currently trying to achieve all over the world, so New Zealanders are informed and can help. Because knowledge is the key for solving problems. We can only act if we know about something. That is the purpose of the documentary THE COVE: to inform the world about the activities in Taiji, and to provide help.

27 Aug 2009 10:36a.m.

Jane wrote:

Deeply moved by dolphin encounter and Northland fishermen.I would also like to contact Dean Musgrove. After viewing this its hard to believe that Japanese fishermen are still carrying out barbaric killing of these beautiful intelligent creatures.

26 Aug 2009 10:17p.m.

Ash Cheyne wrote:

What a civilised country we live in. Brilliant story !

26 Aug 2009 08:33p.m.

Jeanette wrote:

Heart warming story.. Great to see some good news on the TV.

26 Aug 2009 08:15p.m.

helen Murphy wrote:

I would love to contact Dean Musgrove and tell him about a documentary called THE COVE all about the killing of dolphins every September on an island in japan called Taiji over about 23,000 dolphins are slaughtered every year.The man who trained Flipper took a film crew undercover to record the killing and I saw this doc in Christchurch during the film festival early in august.It makes one feel very sick and sad to see these intelligent mammals treated this way. regards Helen Murphy Christchurch