A steady increase in incidents of disturbance to marine wildlife has been reported to Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s hotline over the past few weeks, with the start of the summer holiday season. 

Ruth Williams, Marine Conservation Manager for the Trust, said: ‘The disturbances have mainly involved seals and sea birds by tripper boats and kayakers, who because they are paddling quietly along, don’t realise they are disturbing the wildlife.’ 

As large numbers of holiday-makers flock to the Cornish coast, the Cornwall Marine and Coastal Code Group says it wants to remind everyone how to enjoy watching marine wildlife such as dolphins and basking sharks responsibly. 

Dan Jarvis, from British Divers Marine Life Rescue, one of the Group’s member organisations said: ‘Cornwall has an amazing range of marine species that are a big part of why lots of people love to visit this region, but sometimes people’s encounters with our wildlife do not go well for the animals involved. 

‘We are incredibly fortunate that we have these animals here in the first place and it is a privilege that we’re able to see them, so we want to help people get the best out of these encounters by following some simple guidelines that will avoid causing distress and harm.’ 

He said the species most often affected, as has been shown over the past few weeks, are seabirds and seals as they come on to land to rest, but dolphins and basking sharks close to shore will quickly attract a lot of attention, making them vulnerable to overcrowding or being chased – and this can lead to accidents. 

The full guidelines can be found on www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/living-seas/

cornwall-marine-and-coastal-code. 

Incidents of disturbance can be reported to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s disturbance hotline on 0345 201 2626.