Holidaymakers have been warned not to disturb seals, whales, or dolphins this summer amid fears the animals could be killed. Incidents of people bothering marine species are on the rise, according to the charity Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC).
Rising Disturbances
Danny Groves, head of communication at WDC, said: “We understand why people might want to interact with whales, dolphins and porpoises – they are awesome. UK seas are a special place for them, being home to more than 20 species, more than anywhere else in northern Europe. But, as visits to the coast surge during the summer months, we fear that disturbance incidents in the waters around the UK involving members of the public using leisure craft, jetskis, kayaks and paddleboards could increase.”
He added: “Of particular concern is the lack of awareness of the existing laws around disturbance by people using these craft, or who attempt to jump in and swim with dolphins in the sea.”
Impact on Marine Life
“Marine mammals are sensitive to disturbance, especially when they have young, are resting, feeding or socialising. Human disturbance can frighten them and scare them away from important habitats, and in extreme cases, injury or kill them. Giving marine wildlife space is important, watch them from a good distance and don’t crowd them. A good encounter is one that is enjoyable for you and the whales or dolphins,” Groves said.
There were 1,290 reports of seal, whale, or dolphin disturbances across Devon, Kent, and Yorkshire in 2023, a UK wildlife crime report published in November revealed. Convictions for disturbances of sea creatures are “shockingly low,” Mr Groves warned. There were 4,735 wildlife disturbance incidents recorded across the country in 2023 but only 456 convictions. WDC believes incidents are much higher because many boat users and holidaymakers do not know what the rules are or how to report incidents they witness.
Police Efforts and Dog Attacks
Police forces in the UK have increased their attention and effort to prevent dolphin and other marine species disturbance in recent years. WDC said awareness among officers, especially non-emergency call handlers, and their ability to deal with marine wildlife crime needs to be maintained and improved. Dog attacks are also a frequent cause of seal deaths on accessible public beaches across the UK coast. The UK is home to approximately 34% of the global population of grey seals, making British waters a globally vital habitat for the species.
A high-profile example of a disturbance came in 2021 when a barrister’s dog attacked a seal nicknamed Freddie Mercury. The animal, who was euthanised, was found to have a fractured flipper and a dislocated joint. The young common seal was given the name in honour of the late Queen singer by walkers in Barnes, west London.
