Ever since the 1963 release of the movie "Flipper" people have dreamed of interacting with a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Like humans, dolphins are mammals, give live birth, have hair when they are born, communicate by vocalizations and are very social. People seem to have a kinship with these animals and delight in tales of dolphins saving humans from drowning, since the time of the early Greeks.

Bottlenose dolphins are found in Florida's coastal waters year round. They prefer warm, shallow inshore waters and can often be found in bays and lagoons. Many of Florida's aquatic preserves and National Estuarine Research Reserves provide the perfect habitat for bottlenose dolphin. In these waters dolphins can find the fish, shrimp and squid they like to eat.

Humans often come into contact with dolphins because they live and eat in the waters near shore. Unaware of the potential dangers from boat propellers, dolphins often swim close to boats, and can get injured. Many animals drown from being entangled in, or from eating debris. Sometimes, humans may be injured by being bit or pulled into the water while trying to feed dolphins. We need to remember that dolphins are wild animals and it is against the law to interact with them. Please treat them with respect.

Five things you can do while on the water to help protect wild dolphins:

1. Stay at least 50 yards away from dolphins; never head directly towards a dolphin or try to intercept it.
2. Never feed or pursue wild dolphins.
3. Put your engine in neutral and reel in any fishing lines if dolphins are near.
4. Move away cautiously if a dolphin shows interest in your bait or shows signs of disturbance (slapping the water's surface with their tail, exhaling forcefully or changing direction or speed).
5. Recycle fishing line and stash your trash.