Ocean Grove Voice - Your Local Newspaper

LOCALS and visitors swimming in the river near Ocean Grove have been asked to keep a safe distance from the dolphin that has been living there for the last month.
Department of Sustainability and Environment wildlife officer Stan Williams said DSE and Barwon Coast have placed signs in the vicinity asking people to avoid swimming and undertaking any other water activity where the dolphin is staying.
Legally boats cannot get closer than 300 metres and swimmers cannot approach closer than 30 metres. Each regulation carries a penalty of over $2000. Mr Williams said DSE asks people to maintain a safe distance from the dolphin, to limit the risk of stressing the animal and preventing injury to both dolphin and humans.
“The sub-adult dolphin is not injured, ill or in distress and is being monitored closely by DSE officers, the Dolphin Research Institute and Melbourne Zoo staff.
“The most likely reason for its lengthy stay is that it has probably found an ample food source and a great spot from which to ambush passing fish.”
Picture by Andrew Zagdanski.