Dolphin's jaw locked shut by plastic bottle top

Northlanders have been warned to be responsible with their rubbish disposal after a dolphin was found in the Bay of Islands with its jaw locked shut by a plastic bottle ring.

The bottlenose dolphin found washed up near Pahi Bay on the east of the Cape Brett peninsula survived, thanks to quick thinking of people walking on the beach.

Conservation Department marine mammals ranger Alan Fleming said such incidents were becoming too common in Northland because people were careless with rubbish.

Plastic bags, plastic six-pack rings, ropes, nets and strapping bands could kill marine mammals if they became tangled in them or swallowed such items.

Many mammals, such as turtles, dolphins and whales, confused plastic as food.

"A sperm whale was found dead with 50 plastic bags in its throat. A loggerhead turtle washed up at Whakatane and a post-mortem revealed the oesophagus was packed with polythene bread bags."

There were also reports of whales, seabirds, fish and seals being maimed or killed after they were tangled in rope.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)