Florida Fisherman Sentenced for Shooting, Poisoning Dolphins

Zackery Brandon Barfield, a licensed charter and commercial fishing captain from Panama City, Florida, was sentenced to 30 days in prison and fined $51,000 for shooting and poisoning bottlenose dolphins protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Barfield admitted to using a 12-gauge shotgun to shoot dolphins during fishing trips in 2022 and 2023, including incidents witnessed by elementary school children and groups of fishermen. Frustrated that dolphins were eating red snapper caught by his clients, he also fed them baitfish laced with methomyl, a highly toxic pesticide, poisoning an estimated 24 to 70 dolphins. Federal prosecutors condemned Barfield's actions as serious crimes against public resources and the local ecosystem, emphasizing his knowledge of the regulations he violated. In addition to his prison sentence and fine, Barfield will serve one year of supervised release. The case highlights enforcement efforts to protect marine mammals and maintain ecosystem health in the Gulf of Mexico.