Florida Charter Boat Captain Sentenced for Dolphin Abuse

A charter boat captain from Florida has been sentenced to a month in prison after admitting to both shooting and poisoning dolphins, sometimes in the presence of children.

Zachary Brandon Barfield, 31, confessed to firing at five bottlenose dolphins during fishing trips in 2022 and 2023, which followed a frustrating incident where he allegedly stole fish from a charter client. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida provided details in a statement.

In a particularly alarming revelation, Barfield recounted shooting dolphins while elementary school students were aboard. Overall, numerous fishermen witnessed these troubling acts.

Authorities disclosed that his actions led to at least one dolphin’s death, alongside dozens of individuals consuming fish contaminated with pesticides.

During the charter trips—totaling six to seven—Barfield reportedly fed baitfish laced with a harmful dolphin poison that could cause serious harm. NOAA Fisheries noted the severity of the situation in their statement.

Federal environmental prosecutor Adam Gustafson emphasized that Barfield was well aware of the regulations meant to protect dolphins, but chose to disregard them, even doing so in front of children.

Barfield, previously a captain in Panama City, pleaded guilty to two counts of misconduct concerning marine mammals and a count related to the illegal use of a pesticide.

In court documents, Barfield acknowledged that the government’s version of events regarding his actions was accurate.

Additionally, he used a 12-gauge Remington Wingmaster shotgun, which is illegal for such purposes as stipulated by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Judge Michael J. Frank sentenced him to one month in prison for each of the three guilty counts. Along with the prison time, he must also pay a fine of $51,000, as authorities have confirmed.