Department of Environmental Management spots pod of dolphins near Mt. Hope Bridge

BRISTOL, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management shared video of a pod of dolphins feeding in Mt. Hope Bay on Tuesday.

The department said their Office of Water Resources saw the pod while conducting a routine water quality test for the shellfishing program.

The feeding frenzy was caught on camera where seagulls are seen above the dolphins feasting on baitfish.

The DEM said seeing dolphins in the bay isn’t unusual but is actually a sign of a healthy and productive ecosystem.

Mt. Hope Bay was removed from the Environmental Protection Agency’s impaired waters list in 2021, according to the DEM.

After the passing of the Clean Water Act in Rhode Island over 50 years ago, officials said sightings like these highlight the great improvements in water quality the Ocean State has achieved.

The department also used this sighting as an opportunity for boaters to slow down for marine wildlife including sea turtles, sharks and whales.

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