Dolphins spotted using shipping vessels in Charleston Harbor to catch prey

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Researchers at the South Carolina Aquarium have documented a unique feeding strategy of dolphins in the Charleston Harbor.

Dolphins can be seen using the side of a docked commercial shipping vessel to help catch their prey, according to South Carolina Aquarium Educator and Scientist Meghan Galipeau.

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Described as an adaptive strategy they developed in an urbanized estuary, the dolphins corner a fish by chasing it against the side of a ship. Oftentimes, the fish will try to escape by jumping out of the water.

"It's never been documented that the dolphins are using this type of commercial shipping vessel to do that," Galipeau said. "That's what makes this unique and special to seeing that happen here."

"It's really interesting to see how the dolphins are using those ships to their advantage to feed more efficiently," she continued. "It's really cool for us to be able to identify that and study that and see how they have adjusted to the environment that we share."

Those interested in witnessing the feeding behavior must remain 150 feet away from the dolphin, per federal law. Researchers at the South Carolina Aquarium were able to record the behavior by boat after receiving a permit allowing them to approach more closely while still disrupting the animals as little as possible.