Harassment of marine animals

We all love seeing dolphins and seals playing in our coastal waters but sadly our actions often cause distress, whether intentional or accidental. Cornwall Wildlife Trust receive numerous reports of harassment to these and other marine mammals, such as chasing pods of dolphins, driving motor boats over the top of animals, and going too close. These actions can cause severe distress - if not injury or death - and we are doing our best to work with the police to stop such activities and make people aware of the issue. Below is our Code of Conduct for all boat users which highlights the legal aspects as well as what to do to safely watch these beautiful animals.

If you see any activity which appears to be causing disturbance to marine animals please report it immediately to us or to the police wildlife liaison officer on 08705 777444.

Such action can cause severe distress if not injury or death

Code of conduct for minimising disturbance to dolphins, basking sharks and other marine animals

Marine Code of Conduct The Marine Code of Conduct is now available as a downloadable pdf document 469kb.

Dolphins, porpoises, whales, basking sharks and turtles are some of the animals that share these waters with you. They are sensitive to disturbance so please show understanding when in their vicinity. These animals are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

Certain vessels can disturb their daily activities, scaring them away and even causing injury. If you see anyone harassing or recklessly disturbing them, please report it to the police.

It is an offence to intentionally kill or injure cetaceans (dolphins, porpoises and whales). It is also an offence to disturb cetaceans and basking sharks. To do so intentionally or recklessly* may result in a prison sentence.

By following this code of conduct, and any local guidance that is in place, you will not commit an offence and will minimise stress to marine animals when you encounter them at sea.

*Recklessness is a legal term. A person who is heedless of the consequences of his actions or of danger will be reckless.

1. On sighting cetaceans and other marine animals, fast vessels should gradually slow down to a slow speed (less than 6 knots). Wait until well clear of animals before gradually resuming original speed.
2. On encountering marine animals continue on your intended route. This will present predictable movements. Avoid erratic movements such as circling around the animals or sudden changes in speed.
3. Let the animals approach you. If they do choose to approach the vessel or bow-ride, maintain a steady speed without changing course.
4. Allow groups of animals to remain together. Avoid deliberately driving through, or between, groups of animals. Proceeding slowly on a steady course will enable them to remove themselves from the path of a vessel as a group.
5. Leave cetaceans or sharks with young alone and avoid coming between a mother and her calf.
6. Always allow animals an escape route. Be aware of your surroundings. If there is more than one vessel in the vicinity avoid boxing animals in.
7. Do not swim with, touch or feed the animals, for your safety and theirs.
8. Do not throw rubbish or food near or around marine animals.
9. Minimise possible sources of noise disturbance and take care to avoid collision with animals when using sailing boats or boats with low engine noise as the animals are less likely to hear the vessel until it is close.
10. There should be no more than 1 vessel in close proximity to marine animals (less than 100m), and no more than 3 vessels in the vicinity (100m-1km) at any one time. Refrain from calling other vessels to the animals.
11. Presence in the watching area should be limited if there are other vessels in the vicinity interested in watching the marine life (15 minutes). The Wildlife and Countryside Act makes provision for licences to be issued to allow certain activities such as research and survey to take place.
12. Move away slowly if you notice signs of disturbance, such as erratic changes in speed and direction, or lengthy periods underwater.

Additional guidelines covering general use of the sea

• Remember that it is an offence to dispose of sewage, fuel, oil and litter at sea.
• Avoid conflict with other users by knowing the rules and practising them.
• Additional guidelines covering vessel maintenance and fittings
• Keeping the engine and propeller well maintained can reduce excessive noise.
• If you regularly use vessels in areas where cetaceans are known to occur you should consider fitting propeller guards to minimise the risk of injury to the animals.

Other items that may be of interest:

• Marine strandings emergency contacts
• Marine sightings in Cornwall
• Marine Strandings in Cornwall
• Marine Conservation in Cornwall