Lighten up on the dolphins

In all due respect to Dennis Kelly, the marine mammal expert, I think

he needs to lighten up a little (“Dolphins nose about bay,” Aug. 12).

We know he has studied dolphin behavior for a long time and is very

credible.

However, we all know that the dolphins are highly-intelligent

creatures, and if they didn’t want to interact, they would certainly

find their way out the way they did in.

We know dolphins can locate food from miles and miles away, and

certainly if they can catch the schools of fish in the vast ocean

from where they came, they can catch that school of fish in the Back

Bay, even if the electric boat scared that one school.

Practically every day for the last 30 years, between here and Long

Beach, I observe dolphins frolicking in the ocean, interacting with

the surfers, surfing beside them in the waves, hanging right next to

them in the surf line. The surfers are there; the dolphins come to

them. Are the surfers also violating federal law? When people go out

in boats and dolphins follow playfully alongside, in front and

behind, are they violating the law?

And what happened to the idea that kayaking or canoeing brings us

quietly close to nature to view birds and other wildlife in the

waters more closely? There is no way a kayaker can catch up with a

dolphin. They are so speedy. If the dolphins didn’t like the goings

on in that portion of the bay, don’t you think they would leave?

The only danger to the dolphins in the bay is the pollution, some

of the off-shore boats, with huge propellers and blasting rap music,

and the occasional, disrespectful, large boaters, who head right into

them, knowing full well they are out in front. This I have observed

firsthand. Perhaps a check from the Harbor Patrol can slow them down.

The dolphins are too smart to hang around if they are being

disturbed. They wouldn’t come up to the kayaks, which are standing

still, if they were so disturbed.

Let the public have a little excitement, and by all means,

everyone should lighten up. By the looks of it, the dolphins have.

SHIRLEY REINKER

Newport Beach