Florida man sentenced for poisoning, shooting dolphins
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA) Office of Law Enforcement launched an investigation into Zackery Brandon Barfield, 31, who was found to be in violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
'The defendant's selfish acts are more than illegally poisoning and shooting protected animals – they are serious crimes against public resources, threats to the local ecosystem, and a devastating harm to a highly intelligent and charismatic species. With our dedicated law enforcement partners, we will ensure that the coastal waters remain safe for our citizens and its wildlife,' said Michelle Spaven, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
According to a DOJ release, Barfield has been a licensed charter and commercial fishing captain in Panama City for the entirety of his adult life.
Court filings and statements revealed that from 2022 to 2023, Barfield poisoned and shot bottlenose dolphins on multiple occasions.
The investigation revealed that during the summer of 2022, Barfield became frustrated with dolphins eating red snapper from the lines of his charter fishing clients. He then began placing methomyl inside baitfish to poison the dolphins.
Methomyl is a highly toxic pesticide that affects the nervous system and is restricted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
According to DOJ, Barfield recognized the pesticide's toxicity and impact on the environment but continued to bait dolphins with the poisoned fish.
While captaining two separate fishing trips in December of 2022 and in the summer of 2023, Barfield witnessed dolphins once again eating snapper from his client's fishing lines. He then used a 12-gauge shotgun to shoot the dolphins nearest to the boat, killing one of them immediately.
These incidents were corroborated by two elementary-aged children and a dozen fishermen who were aboard the boat and witnessed the shootings.
'Barfield was a longtime charter and commercial fishing captain,' said Adam Gustafson, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). 'He knew the regulations protecting dolphins, yet he killed them anyway — once in front of children. This sentence demonstrates our commitment to enforcing the rule of law. It should deter others from engaging in such conduct.'
The Marine Mammal Protection Act prevents the killing or harming of wild dolphins and is punishable with civil penalties of up to $36,498 or one year in jail.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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