Police in Scotland are investigating after a small power-driven vessel, thought to be flying a Norwegian flag, deliberately harassed a pod of bottlenose dolphins off the coast of Fort George in the Moray Firth. The incident occurred at approximately 1:30pm on Monday, June 15, near Ardersier in the Highlands.
Vessel description and illegal activity
The boat was described as having a dark-coloured hull with a light or white-coloured cockpit. Witnesses reported that the vessel appeared to be deliberately targeting the dolphin pod, which is an offence under Scottish law. Deliberately or recklessly disturbing dolphins, porpoises, or whales (cetaceans) in coastal waters is a criminal offence.
PC MacDonald from Burnett Road Police Station in Inverness stated: “We are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed this while watching the dolphins. Anyone that could identify or further describe the vessel in question should speak to us also. I’d kindly ask anyone with private CCTV which looks over the firth to check it for footage of this vessel.”
Police appeal for information
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are appealing for information after a pod of dolphins were reportedly harassed off the coast of Fort George in the Moray Firth. This happened at about 1.30pm on Monday, June 15. We are keen to trace a small power-driven vessel, which appears to have a dark coloured hull and a light or white coloured cockpit. The vessel may have been flying a Norwegian flag. It is an offence to deliberately or recklessly disturb any dolphin, porpoise or whale (cetacean).”
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference CR/0262252/26, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the protection of marine wildlife in the Moray Firth, a key habitat for bottlenose dolphins.
