Home / Environment / Injured Dolphins Prompt Urgent Warning for Cornish Boaters
Injured Dolphins Prompt Urgent Warning for Cornish Boaters
6 Aug
Summary
- Multiple dolphins injured with damaged or cut-off dorsal fins
- Injuries likely caused by high-speed watercraft or propellers
- Increase in dolphin sightings and water activity in Cornwall
In a concerning development, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust has recently issued a warning to boat owners in the region to exercise caution and stay away from marine animals. This comes after the trust received "shocking footage" from the Mevagissey to Fowey Ferry crew, showing at least five dolphins with damaged dorsal fins, including two that had been completely cut off.
According to the trust, a veterinary examination of the injuries revealed that they were most likely caused by high-speed watercraft or propellers. The trust's spokesperson emphasized that it is illegal to intentionally or recklessly kill, injure, or disturb cetaceans, which include whales, dolphins, and porpoises, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
The trust has also noted an increase in the number of dolphins spotted in Cornish waters over the past 10 years, as well as a rise in recreational boating activity. While this can lead to "spectacular encounters," it also brings the marine animals into "very busy coastal waterways," increasing the risk of collisions and injuries.
To address this issue, the trust is urging water users to maintain a "sensible speed" and follow government guidelines when encountering marine animals. This includes reducing to a "slow, 'no-wake' speed" and keeping a safe distance of at least 100 meters (328 feet) away.
