Come and visit the dolphins this summer – and be responsible!

WDCS together with the Police Wildlife Crime Unit (PAW), has issued a plea to boat users to act responsibly around the dolphins of the Moray Firth.

The summer months see an increase in leisure craft in the waters of the Moray Firth, at a time when dolphin activity in the same area is also at its peak. WDCS and PAW want to ensure responsible boat use to prevent disturbance to the dolphins, and are sending out a clear message, backed by Dame Ellen MacArthur, for boat users to protect our dolphins.

Disturbance of dolphins, and many other marine species in Scotland, is a criminal offence. A person found to have been harassing the dolphins of the Moray Firth was successfully prosecuted in 2007. It is the responsibility of each boat user to understand and avoid behaviours that might be disturbing.

Boat users who come across dolphins should not pursue the animals. If the dolphins choose to approach, the boat should maintain a constant slow speed and direction.

Sarah Dolman, Head of Scottish Policy for WDCS, said: "We are really lucky to share our local waters with these amazing animals, and it’s an unforgettable experience to see them in the wild. We’re asking all boat users to ensure that they are following the simple guidelines when they are in the vicinity of dolphins, and ensure that they do not disturb these animals."

If you want to watch the dolphins this summer, there are fantastic land-based watching spots all along the Moray Firth coast. WDCS runs two coastal visitor centres which are great places to start your land-based watching and staff there can also direct you to other land based watching locations to suit your needs.

If you want to take to the sea, there are many responsible boat operators who offer marine wildlife watching trips. Ensure the operator you choose is a member of the Dolphin Space Programme as these boats are committed to responsible boat handling around wildlife and offer a high quality trip. For the ultimate dolphin experience, you can also join a WDCS marine biologist for a Dolphin Discovery day trip – call one of WDCS’s centres for more details.

Dame Ellen MacArthur, who supports WDCS’s campaign says: "When you're out at sea it is the most wonderful experience to have whales or dolphins visit the boat. It's heart warming to see them out in the middle of nowhere, where mammals are few and far between. But you have an overwhelming feeling that you are visiting their world, and however precious those moments with them are, their world is to be respected."

Sarah Dolman added: "Whales and dolphins are highly intelligent animals and they are sensitive to disturbance. All operators who are part of the WDCS-backed Dolphin Space Programme follow a strict code of conduct to ensure they do not disturb the natural behaviour of the dolphins."

Superintendent Smailes of the Grampian Police said: "Grampian Police and PAW fully support the work of WDCS in their efforts to promote the good practice in the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code. Marine Wildlife watching is not only an important part of the economy but is also important to many people in their appreciation of the Moray Firth .However, it must be done appropriately and in accordance with the code to ensure that the marine environment is not disturbed."

If anyone does witness the disturbance or harassment of dolphins, they should contact their local Wildlife Crime officer or the police.

For more information on responsible dolphin watching, the WDCS Wildlife Centres and the Dolphin Space Programme, log on to www.protectourdolphins.org