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Dolphin pinger appeal

URGENT! Pingers could save hundreds of Cornwall’s dolphins.

Bottlenose dolphin, photo by Adrian Langdon

The recent stranding of 26 common dolphins in Froe Creek was a big shock to everyone. It is a tragedy that so many animals died in one day but these deaths are only a fraction of the number of animals that die each year in fishing nets.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust, working with major partners, holds the key to potentially preventing the deaths of hundreds of dolphins and porpoises – the pinger!

What is a pinger?

Tramel net with pinger entering tube, photo by Richard Caslake

The pinger can help prevent deaths. It is an acoustic deterrent device fitted onto a fishing net. It works by emitting a regular sonic noise which can be heard by cetaceans and scares them away from nets.

What Cornwall Wildlife Trust plans to do

The Trust wants to conduct a trial of pingers on fishing vessels. Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee is fully supporting the Trust in this project and has already identified three fishermen who are willing to participate in the trial.

Gillnet fisherman going through his catch, photo by Steve Trewhella

Simon Cadman, Cornwall Sea Fisheries Officer says, “The pinger trial aims to work directly with inshore fishermen to trial practical mitigation measures, an approach which in our experience is the most effective way to engage with the fishing industry. Pingers may offer us a solution to cetacean bycatch, allowing fisheries to continue whilst conserving cetaceans at the same time”.

Donations to this appeal can be used as match funding. For every £1 you give, we can get up to £10 worth of funding. For every £10 you give, we can get up to £100.

What your money can buy

  • £55 buys one pinger
  • £150 buys one mooring
  • £1,000 buys one C-POD

How much we need to raise

Target

Current amount raised

£15,000

£12,302

We still have £2,700 to raise so please help us reach our target and donate today.

For more information about this urgent dolphin pinger appeal please download the appeal leaflet.

This appeal is supported by the following organisations:

  • Frugi, a local children's organic clothing company. Frugi have supported the Trust through the 1% For The Planet scheme for the past three years and are proud to support this apeal.
  • NABU, our wildlife friends in Germany.
  • For details of businesses that have donated to this appeal click here.

To donate by phone (credit card donations only):

  • Please call (01872) 273939 ext 205
  • Calls will be taken Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.

To donate by post (credit card and cheque donations):

  • Please download the donation form and post with payment to:

    Dolphin pinger appeal
    Cornwall Wildlife Trust
    Five Acres
    Allet
    Truro
    Cornwall TR4 9DJ

  • Or if you are unable to print the form simply post a cheque made payable to Cornwall Wildlife Trust to the above address.

To donate in person (cash and cheque donations):

  • Please visit the Trust's head office at the above address to purchase your cards using either cash or cheque.

Please make a donation to this appeal today

Donate to dolphin pinger appeal now