Posts on social media hav shown jet ski riders powering towards pods of dolphins in local waters, which experts have said can cause serious harm to the cetaceans, and even result in death.
‘It’s a minority incident but it only takes a few people to do harm,’ said Nicky Harris of the DolFin Project
‘These incidences put a downer on everything. The dolphins will leave our waters and no one will be able to see them.’
She also said that the impact of inconsiderate boaters and jet ski riders can cause huge distress to the pods and at times, causing them to split up. Youngsters are not as able to get out of the way, and the cetaceans can experience ‘boat strike’, where they are travelled over, hit on the head and can be killed.
Guernsey Ports has issued a reminder that perpetrators can be charged under the Animal Welfare (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2012, which can result in a fine of up to £20,000 or a 12-month custodial sentence.
Pierre Ehmann captured a video of a jet ski powering through a pod of dolphins.
He said that the jet ski rider was chasing the pod with his phone in his hand, most likely filming for social media. The rider passed over the pod, waiting until they would surface again before following them again.
‘When we first saw the pod they were spread out fishing, as soon as the jet skier appeared and began disturbing them they packed tightly together.
‘There were young dolphins as part of the pod and it was pretty obvious they were moving,’ he said.
‘I’m certainly not against the public observing dolphins as it is amazing we have so much life in our waters. However, disturbing them like this and causing this kind of distress seems totally selfish, they are not there for our personal entertainment.’
He added that it was not the first instance where he has seen a boat or jet ski aim at dolphins.
Harbourmaster Captain David Barker said that past reports of abuse towards dolphins have been few and far between, but urged islanders to take heed of advice as to not interfere with the dolphins’ natural behaviour.
‘Guernsey Ports takes a very dim view of owners and operators of any vessel who pose a threat to dolphins in their marine environment and will do anything we can to identify them and pass the information on to the States Vet and Guernsey Police, who would conduct any investigation,’ he said.
‘I hope that anyone who has acted irresponsibly around them has done so in ignorance, and that now they are aware of the issues will take much more care should they be lucky enough to experience another encounter.’
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