Dolphins Sighted In Long Island Sound Near Rocky Point, NY (With Video)

Some folks out fishing in Long Island Sound near Tides Beach, Rocky Point, New York spotted a pod of about 50 dolphins August 5th and uploaded this video to YouTube.

On the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation Facebook page, there was another report of a sighting Tuesday around 10:30 a.m. of about 50 to 100 dolphins. "They seem to be healthy & feeding," the report said. "They came in approximately 100-200 yards NW of the CSH Gong Buoy, before heading back out into the sound. Last seen moving NW of Buoy G "1"."

When dolphins were sighted in Long Island Sound several years ago, in 2009, the Long Island Sound Study group wrote this:

"Historic sightings of dolphins and porpoises within the Long Island Sound can be dated back to pre-World War II times when pods of dolphins were a familiar sight to mariners and residents along the north shore of Long Island. Over the last few decades these sightings have become less frequent. Reports of cetaceans have been reduced to isolated individuals often compromised or stranded along the shoreline. The re- emergence of these marine mammals to the waters along the north shore of Long Island was highlighted this summer by the arrival of approximately 200 bottlenose dolphins to the waters of Cold Spring, Huntington, Northport, Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Smithtown and Rye, NY. Although the visit was short-lived, lasting less than a week, their presence captured the attention of many and brought to the forefront the beauty and challenges faced by Long Island Sound."

The Long Island Sound Study also provided this advice: "Observe wild dolphins, porpoises, and seals from at least 50 yards and limit viewing time to no more than 30 minutes. Do not circle or entrap marine mammals between watercraft, or between watercraft and the shore. Avoid abrupt movements or loud noises around marine mammals and move away if behaviors are observed that indicate the animal is stressed. Lastly, avoid touching or swimming with wild marine mammals, even if they approach you."

To find out more, read the Long Island Sound Study newsletter posted with this article.