A charter and commercial fishing captain in Florida, Zackery Brandon Barfield, 31, has been sentenced to 30 days in prison and ordered to pay a $51,000 fine for multiple counts of poisoning and shooting dolphins.
The sentence stems from violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
According to court documents, Barfield, a lifelong Panama City, Florida, resident and an experienced fishing captain, engaged in a pattern of harming bottlenose dolphins between 2022 and 2023 out of frustration with the animals taking red snapper from his clients’ fishing lines.
In the summer of 2022, Barfield began lacing baitfish with methomyl, a highly toxic pesticide restricted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in non-residential settings due to its potent effect on the nervous systems of humans and animals.
Despite knowing the chemical’s toxicity and environmental impact, Barfield repeatedly fed the poisoned bait to dolphins near his boat over several months.
Further incidents occurred in December 2022 and the summer of 2023 when Barfield resorted to using a 12-gauge shotgun to shoot at dolphins interfering with fishing activities.
On at least one occasion, a dolphin was killed instantly. Disturbingly, Barfield shot at dolphins while children were present on his vessel during one trip, and on another occasion with over a dozen fishermen aboard.
“The Gulf of America is a vital natural resource,” stated Acting United States Attorney Spaven. “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.”
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Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) also condemned Barfield’s actions.
“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 investigation, led by the National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Law Enforcement with assistance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), was praised by officials.
“These cruel and unnecessary deaths may have gone unsolved without the determination and expertise of our investigator and the close working relationship we have with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, U.S. Department of Justice’s Environmental Crimes Section and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida,” said Paige Casey, Acting Assistant Director, NOAA OLE Southeast Division. “The subject’s actions were intentional and heartless, and we’ll continue to pursue any harmful acts against marine mammals. Egregious crimes such as in this case have serious consequences.”
Captain Mike Godwin, FWC Investigations Northwest Region, added, “His actions were cruel, illegal, and a threat to the Gulf’s marine life. This case shows the power of teamwork and our shared commitment to protecting Florida’s wildlife and holding offenders accountable.”
Following his prison term, Barfield will be subject to a one-year term of supervised release.
The case was prosecuted by Environmental Crimes Section Senior Trial Attorney Patrick Duggan and Assistant United States Attorney Joseph A. Ravelo.
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