Dolphins provide special birthday treat for Zach, 9
SEEING a pod of dolphins was a wonderful surprise for nine-year-old Zach Langlois as he went fishing off Castle Breakwater on Sunday afternoon.
The mammals have been in the Russel for the last few weeks and have been spotted often around the pier heads.
Karen Langlois said they had gone down to the harbour with her grandson Zach so he could try out his new fishing rod, which he got for his birthday.
Between 4.30 and 7pm they saw lots of dolphins.
‘We saw them about every 15 minutes or so,’ she said.
‘They were around all the time. They were following yachts as they came in and in front of the Condor. It was fascinating to watch them.’
The mammals have been spotted a number of times in the area over the last few days.
Assistant harbour master Vince Helmot said harbour staff had also been enjoying the visitors, with one dolphin even coming into the harbour last week. However the animals had not been causing any disruption to the harbour.
‘It’s just wonderful to see them,’ Mr Helmot said.
Dolphins are a protected species in the UK, where the code of conduct is for boats to stay 100 metres away from the animals, avoid groups of mothers and young completely and switch engines into neutral if animals actively come over to boats.
The code also states that the animals must not be actively pursued when they move away and, where they bow ride alongside vessels, vessels should not increase their speed or change course.
