Cornwall Wildlife Trust has received shocking footage showing multiple injured dolphins. The imagery recorded by crew on the Mevagissey to Fowey ferry on Sunday, 3rd August, shows at least five animals within the pod of dolphins filmed had injured dorsal fins. Three dolphins had dorsal fins damaged or bent over and two had them completely cut off.
Veterinary Pathologist James Barnett from the Cornwall Marine Pathology team judged that the injuries had most likely come about from impact with high-speed watercraft or propellers.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust has received a number of reports recently of boats going straight towards and even through pods. It is illegal in the UK to intentionally or recklessly kill, injure, or disturb cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Rebecca Allen, Marine Conservation Officer at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said:
“Over the last 10 years we’ve had increased numbers of common dolphins in our Cornish inshore waters. Whilst this can lead to spectacular encounters for us, it also brings them into our very busy coastal waterways.
“We urge water users to please keep at a sensible speed and follow Government guidelines if they do see marine animals: reduce to slow, ‘no-wake’ speed and keep to a safe distance – at least 100m away.”
Over the past decade, coastal waters in the UK have become significantly busier with recreational boats, a trend that accelerated dramatically after the Covid-19 pandemic. The increased activity in the water, alongside a notable rise in the number of dolphins around the Southwest coast, elevates the risk of negative encounters and harm being caused to the animals.
Water users who would like to become more wildlife-friendly can find detailed advice at the following link: Marine & Coastal Code | Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Or via the DEFRA Marine and Coastal Wildlife code
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