Despite cetaceans in UK waters being protected by wildlife legislation, in recent weeks there have been several reports of dolphins being harassed by people on jet skis and personal watercraft around the English coastline.
Concerns were raised over a pod of dolphins in Weymouth Bay (Dorset) when a number of boats and jet skis were reportedly seen harassing the animals and while many operators observe wild dolphins safely and in a respectful manner, some irresponsible water users have been known to deliberately speed towards wild dolphins, harassing them. Northumbria Police also have had two incidents of jet ski riders getting too close to dolphins in Berwick and Whitley Bay in late May 2020, those involved were advised their behaviour was indeed inappropriate with no further action taken. When similar incidents occur and the pod of dolphins have a young calf within the group, it could cause the youngster to become separated from its mother.
In 2103, a bottlenose dolphin calf which was part of a small inshore pod living in the waters off the south-west coast of England was hit by a boat and killed off Padstow (Cornwall) private, commercial and sightseeing vessels were sighted in the area at the time but the culprits were never found and convicted. Warmer weather leads to an increase in marine craft operating and this naturally leads to an increase in the likelihood of a lucky encounter with a cetacean. UK seas are a special place for dolphins and whales, home to at least 21 species and although disturbance is usually a regular occurrence over the summer months, prosecutions are far and few between. If you see inappropriate behaviour around UK marine wildlife, please report it by calling 101 and ask to be passed on to the local Wildlife Crime Officer.
