• Fishing Captain Sentenced For Shooting, Poisoning Dolphins In The Gulf of Mexico

    A Florida fishing captain has been sentenced after pleading guilty to a disturbing series of crimes involving the intentional killing of protected marine mammals in the Gulf of Mexico.

    Zackery Brandon Barfield, 31, a longtime charter and commercial captain from Panama City, Florida, was sentenced to 30 days in federal prison and ordered to pay $51,000 in fines for illegally poisoning and shooting bottlenose dolphins, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

    A Pattern of Violence at Sea

    Between summer 2022 and summer 2023, Barfield reportedly grew frustrated with dolphins eating red snapper off his clients’ fishing lines. In response, he began feeding the animals baitfish laced with methomyl — a highly toxic pesticide banned for residential use. He also admitted to using a 12-gauge shotgun to shoot at dolphins on multiple occasions, killing at least one.

    The charges include violations of both the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

    “This defendant committed egregious acts of cruelty against dolphins,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The Justice Department will continue to work with our partners to investigate and prosecute those who harm protected marine species.”

    Dolphin Deaths Not Isolated

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports 21 known intentional dolphin killings in the U.S. over the last decade (2014–2024). These have involved gunshots, arrows, explosives, and sharp objects. However, most of these cases remain unsolved, largely due to the difficulty of identifying perpetrators at sea.

    Barfield’s case is one of the few that resulted in a successful prosecution — and it highlights ongoing tensions between marine mammals and fisheries, particularly in red snapper hotspots across the Gulf.

    Marine Mammals and Angler Frustration

    Incidents like this reflect a growing issue in recreational and commercial fisheries: dolphins and other predators often follow boats, snatching hooked fish before they can be landed. While frustrating, intentionally harming dolphins is a federal crime, and NOAA reminds captains that marine mammals are protected under multiple U.S. laws.

    Protecting Marine Wildlife

    NOAA encourages the public to report any suspected harassment or injury of marine mammals to its enforcement hotline. Anglers are also urged to avoid feeding or interacting with dolphins, as it can lead to habituation and increase the risk of harmful encounters — for both humans and wildlife.

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