NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums
NJ Saltwater Fisherman => News and Information => Topic started by: Hotrod on September 14, 2008, 05:54:57 PM
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A day I will remember for a life time..
Headed out of Barnegat Inlet late morning, with Rod sr. Ray Z and Bob Hare. to test out some new electronics I installed..
Ran North to Seaside and marked a lot of Bait Fish But nothing was on any of them.
So we worked our way back South.. Slowed up near IBSP in about 20 feet of water.. seen some bird action but no one home.. Noticed a Dolphin Coming out of the water and yelled to the crew to take a look. well It was the Dolphin that was Hunting us down t^ Stopped the boat and to my surprise this lone beauty Came right up to the boat. basically Begging for a treat. Knowing it is Illegal to feed wild Dolphins.. we did not hand feed him any of our "Fresh" Just snagged..bunker..
He was Branded #56 on his dorsal fin. We all took turns patting him on the head..
This guy is a celebrity. Bobby found this when he got home.
http://www.seaworld.org/wild-world/zoo-research/indian-river-project/dolphin-56.htm
I hope those that track him Find this and know where he is. I may try and contact someone..
A day to remember t^
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WOW!! That is really awesome Rod. He has really traveled quite some distance!! Funny how he is still people friendly, as if he was still at Sea World. Hopefully he continues to stay healthy and unbothered by anyone. That is a great experience.
Nice boat outing. Thanks for letting me know no one is home in the SSP/IBSP area, I won't bother going out tonight hhppy!
TT^
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awesome!
good job on the pics t^
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Look Familiar? Our family ran into him last November and took the attached picture. It was as you said an amazing experience. As a lark I typed in "Who is dolphin 56" and was amazed to find out he was 12 years old when first tagged 30 + years ago!
My son, offshore Ryan actually tracked down the research scientist who was at the time in Germany doing a study. We sent on the picture and our report. They told us it was the clearest one they had seen in years with the 56 clearly visible. Quite the thrill and shows you never know what you will run into on the water t^
(http://njsaltwaterfisherman.com/index.php?option=com_joomgallery&func=watermark&catid=1&id=213&Itemid=153)
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w0w That's cool! t^
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That is simply amazing. You are right Ken, you don't know what you will come across in the water.
One of the reasons this sport is so awesome. t^
Great pics.
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That is VERY cool t^
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w0w that is way too cool.
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Had a great day today Rod!!! chrz
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Really cool guys.
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That is really cool! I guess he likes NJ, unless he is a snow bird?? He is pretty old for a dolphin too. It says average lifespan is 20-55 years or so. Which is quite a big difference. Either way, he is up there in age.
TT^
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Rod like you said it si a once in a life time encounter. Glad you were able to get some really great pictures.
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That is amazing. Great fish story, with pictures no less! outstanding. Something
like that can really make you feel like
there's more to this than going out and
going fishing.
That's like a spiritual experience.
-Mr Limpett
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Ooo Hhh Mmmmm...Sorry I could not resist... ;D
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Ha! That's right OOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
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o@ w0w
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really cool.
thanks for sharing chrz
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Awesome find guys wish I was there. chrz
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A nice one t^
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;D
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t^
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That's Spectacular.
I've been looking for 56 all summer. Am doing a story for Outside magazine about 56 and my 15-year fascination with him. Will be in the area late this weekend and early next week. Can I meet with folks who've seen him?
All best,
Donovan Webster
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Hi Donovon..
Welcome to the site.. yes.. It was an awesome experience..
I will be in Barnegat this Sunday..
You can email me for My phone #..
I'll bump your posts to 8 so you can get that info from the members list t^
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welcome to the site..
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Welcome to the site Donovan. Dolphin 56's story is very fascinating.
Can you inform us when the story is in the Outside magazine? t^
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Very Cool chrz chrz
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whs
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Welcome!!
...and the story continues!! How awesome!!
grtn
TT^
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That's Spectacular.
I've been looking for 56 all summer. Am doing a story for Outside magazine about 56 and my 15-year fascination with him. Will be in the area late this weekend and early next week. Can I meet with folks who've seen him?
All best,
Donovan Webster
would be happy to meet with you as well just let us know when and where
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Welcome donovan, to our site. This is a great story please keep us in the loop on 56 as not only are we interested but our families are as well.
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#56 For President TT^
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He's got my vote... TT^
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Amazing pictures there Rod you don't see that very often really cool. Also to have someone respond who has been reasearching 56 all those years. Welcome Donavan never thought you would find your dolphin here.
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i cant believe i missed. this is an amazing story. rod and ken you guys are very lucky to be a part of this history. very touching story,all i can say is wow.
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This Sunday I will be meting Donavan at the boat, He is driving up from VA. We will be trolling IBSP for "fish" and hoping 56 makes an appearance.
There is a pretty good chance he will show. From what I'm told. he loves people.. and what will be the populated beach in NJ On Sunday..
IBSP..
If anyone is out there.. keep your eyes open for him. and give me a shout if you see him.. PM me if you need my Number.. or it's in the contact forum t^
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Very cool! Hope you find him again!
TT^
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Hit the inlet around 10:30 Am With Donovan from Outside Magazine. Ran 17 Miles North off the beach... Not a Dolphin in site.. Had a few reports of a lone Dolphin off IBSP.. but 56 was a no show today..
Was a great day on the water.. My Wife a Daughter were turning a little green.. but they stuck it out for Donovan t^
we will not give up..
If anyone spots him.. please let us know here t^
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i'm sorry he was a no show for you today rod.. still amazed by this story. your very lucky to be a part of this. :-*
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Too bad Rod. :-\ Nice try though! t^
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Stinks! It was certainly a good try and worth trying to find him for the story.
TT^
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Nice effort there Capt. Rod
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Hey Rod, maybe you should explain like you did to me about the way he swims. It will make for an easier spot now I know what I am looking for.
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Hey Rod, maybe you should explain like you did to me about the way he swims. It will make for an easier spot now I know what I am looking for.
why... does this dolphin have his own lil quirkey way of swimmen???
i'm glad i didnt just pass over this thread... awesome story...
slt
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It is really Cool..
This guy doesn't "porpoise" in the water like other Dolphin on the move.. when he is near Boats he stays out of the water.. so he can look around to see who he wants to approach.. Just like Ken's Picture. t^
(http://njsaltwaterfisherman.com/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=8638.0;attach=14310;image)
I will find this guy again.. or I am told .. he will find me.. ;) Next will be video t^
My trip out with Donavan should be in Outdoor Magazine in Jan / Feb..
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Cool! I am keeping an eye out for him when I am out fishing. I am sure there will be another siting, unless he heads south when it gets colder?
TT^
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I have been told.. from the sightings.. he has stayed in the North East for the past 10 years or so.. Where as.. his Brothers.. from the pod haven't left Florida.. They think he heads out to the Gulf Stream for the winter.. and waits for us to return in the spring..
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I guess 56 is a loner. But, I heard second hand that there was a lot of dolphins off northern LBI this morning.
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Cool! I guess he likes the solitude life...can't blame him!!
TT^
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Got this from a Thomas Fimple Yesterday. I have been getting a lot of emails about Dolphin 56.. seems he's been hanging around the brigantine area..
The date was yesterday Sunday July 18th 2010. The time was approximately 3pm. The location is called Corsons Inlet State Park of NJ. Its between ocean city and strathmere twp. His behavior was very alert avd playful. He swam under and around my waverunner doing barrel rolls for about 2-5 mins. Although the video is short the entire pod was in the area for a few hours. I knew nothing of the rare dolphin until I came home and began some research on the internet. What an experience it was to witness something like that.
Today Bobby and I are meeting a reporter at the boat from NJN that is doing a story on him..
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This is such a cool, ongoing story!
clp TT^
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Can't wait to see it on the news tomorrow TT^
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t^ Yea that was fun Bob t^
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What happened with this? Did they ever run the piece?
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Looks like this Wednesday. 6:00 news t^
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TT^ TT^ TT^
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t^ t^ t^ t^ clp Rod, any video clip?
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I MISSED IT>.. it will be on their youtube .
also run again at 7:30
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Ah they cut out all of Bob.. 5hrug
sorry Bob..
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That was neat..
Here is a really cool right up Donavan Webster from outside magazine did last year..
He did a great Job t^
http://outside.away.com/outside/culture/200907/dolphin-56-1.html
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Nice job Rod... clp clp clp
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Dolphin 56 is on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dolphin-56/102451231888
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Dolphin 56 is on Facebook
dam I knew they were smart, but evidently they also now have waterproof computers and special keyboards so they can type with their noses!!!
so long, and thanks for all the fish...
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t^
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Awesome Rod!!!!!!!!!!!
chrz
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whs
You couldn't get the banner set up as a backdrop? ;)
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t^
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TT^
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Got this from A guy this morning..
Our boy is in Barnegat t^ Best Video Ever taken.
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Cool video! t^ clp
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t^
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clp
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I met up with Dolphin 56 in Absecon Inlet, Brigantine 10/2/10. I feel even more blessed for the experience. Posted my video on you-tube.
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clp Good for you.. clp
Did you know of him prior?
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Fantastic shots, glad to see him again.
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Very cool. t^
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Great video...thanks!
TT^
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10-23-1o did not get to fish but it was worth going for a ride. Heading out the Cape Mat Inlet there he was. Dolphine #56. came up to the boat and popped his head out and sat there. He would swim away and then come back up. From what i read about him, i didnt mind not going fishing.
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t^
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t^
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t^
Every time I see dolphins of IBSP, I wonder if 56 is out in the pod.
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I took my daughter to see Dolphin Tale (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1564349/) last week. When we watched it I was thinking of 56 also.
SEE HERE FOR..NJ Saltwater Fisherman Dolphin 56 Article (http://njsaltwaterfisherman.com/forums/index.php?topic=8638.0&Itemid=210)
It's a true story and a pretty good movie. t^
[youtube=640,390]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdpg9NsgEaI[/youtube]
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Yea.. Looks like a Cool Movie. We Run their banner here on the site.. "By Their Choice" t^
SEE HERE FOR..NJ Saltwater Fisherman Dolphin 56 Article (http://njsaltwaterfisherman.com/forums/index.php?topic=8638.0&Itemid=210)
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Hasn't been seen this year, hope he is ok and just in hiding.
By Wallace Mckelvy/Press of Atlantic City
BRIGANTINE — Where is Dolphin 56?
Bob Schoelkopf has asked himself this question many times this year.
The bottlenose dolphin swam from Florida up to New Jersey every year for decades after being branded in 1979, making it one of the longest and most comprehensively tracked dolphins on the East Coast. Dolphin 56 went missing this year, sparking a national watch for the 45-year-old dolphin.
"This is the first year in many years we haven’t seen him," Schoelkopf, director of the Brigantine-based Marine Mammal Stranding Center, said. "We’re concerned he reached the end of his lifetime."
A Facebook page was set up in 2009 to track the dolphin. The last reported sighting was in July 2011, when the dolphin was photographed off the coast of Wales. Many followers have posted concerns about Dolphin 56’s well-being.
"It is not a good sign that no one on the East Coast has seen him yet," wrote Kathy Hunter, of Sea Isle City. "But I will not give up hope!"
Every time the Brigantine center gets a report of a dolphin washed up on shore, Schoelkopf’s thoughts turn to Dolphin 56. Because it had exceeded the average lifespan of a bottlenose dolphin — Dolphin 56 was somewhere between 40 and 45 years old — he said it’s likely the cetacean has died.
On Sunday, a bottlenose dolphin washed up on the beach in Sea Isle City and another on Wednesday under a dock at the Golden Nugget marina in Atlantic City. Both were false alarms. The first was struck by a boat the same weekend, while the second was too badly decomposed to positively identify.
"It was all white and he said it looked like a piece was coming off of it, which could mean it was attached by a shark," he said. "This time of year, we see animals like that one because the old dolphins die off."
Suzanne Thurman, executive director of the Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation (MERR) Institute based in Nassau, Del., said Dolphin 56’s disappearance has sparked discussions between stranding centers all along northeastern coast.
While its age is troubling, Thurman said it’s still possible Dolphin 56 is out there but hasn’t been spotted yet. Another dolphin, Dolphin 437, went missing for more than a year before it turned up again at Cape Henlopen in Delaware.
"We hadn’t had any sightings all of last year, but it showed up again this year," she said. "I’m hoping the same happens for this one."
Dolphin 56 was freeze-branded in 1979 off the coast of Florida when it was about 10 years old. The process involves branding a large identifying number on the dolphin’s dorsal fin with liquid nitrogen.
"Freeze-branding is a one-time pain, and they last an unlimited amount of time," he said.
Schoelkopf said the process is still used today because satellite beacons tend to fade after eight to 10 years and can cause a lot of distress to the animal.
Dolphin 56 was memorable because of how eager it was to approach people. While there are often gaps in the histories of other dolphins, Schoelkopf this one had predictable travel plans.
"He likes to go to New Jersey all the time in the summers," he said. "He’d go back every year in early summer or late spring."
For many years, Schoelkopf said he got reports of the dolphin swimming alongside rowing crews from Holy Spirit High School as they practiced in the inland bays.
"He’d come behind the center a lot and we’d go out in a boat to follow him," he said. "He’d play with seaweed and toss live fish in the air."
For a time, fish and wildlife agents also followed the dolphin, waiting to slap unsuspecting boaters with a $20,000 fine for feeding Dolphin 56.
"This dolphin would come up to a boat and squeak at them to get some fish," Schoelkopf said.
Jennifer Dittmar, stranding coordinator for the National Aquarium in Baltimore, said it’s unusual for a dolphin in the wild to develop such a following. That, she said, is probably a function of its personality.
As Dolphin 56 migrated north to New Jersey, Dittmar said, it typically arrived in the Chesapeake Bay around Easter, where it approached boaters for food and attention.
The Facebook page was "a rare event, but it really worked well," she said. "If people would post their pics, researchers could see how far this behavior had progressed."
Stranding centers also used the Facebook page to tailor their outreach campaigns instructing boaters not to feed Dolphin 56 as it entered their waters, Dittmar said. It also helped the centers learn more about how dolphins interact with humans.
"He’s kind of a unique animal that might lend us some insight into the dolphins that are off the area," she said. "It sparks some good research questions."
Thurman said Dolphin 56’s ease with people is also troubling.
"He definitely had risky, albeit friendly and sociable, behavior," she said. "Not every person a dolphin comes up to is so kind."
Every time a dead dolphin washes up, Schoelkopf looks to the dorsal fin for Dolphin 56’s telltale identification stamp. The dolphin also had a unique face, caused by a fractured jaw it suffered during one of its voyages.
"It’s bent," he said. "Like a boxer who had a broken nose. It stays that way."
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/08/dolphin_56_where_are_you.html
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Thanks for posting:
Hope he is still around. He has made many great memories for the people that came acroos him.
t^ 56 t^
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Im still amazed by this story, so cool how far they travel every year t^
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My Buddy... :-\ If he did pass.. he lived a great Life t^
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Lets hope he turns up. t^
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NO new info as of 1/18/13 No sightings
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I'm thinking... He has gone to The deep Blue in the sky..
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Not even anything in the West Atlantic where he was last seen?
He certainly was up there in age...