| Bruce McLeish, British Divers Marine Life Rescue group’s area co-ordinator for Dundee, spoke of his shock after reports of dolphins suffering injuries, such as large chunks missing from dorsal fins.
Typically, damage to the dorsal fins or the back is the result of being struck by a water vehicle. It’s thought some reckless jet skiers at Broughty Ferry may have been responsible.
“I’m shocked to hear of the injuries to the bottlenose dolphins,” said Mr McLeish.
“I’ve witnessed an incident where a jet skier was making off towards the dolphins at Broughty Ferry.
“He didn’t directly harass them but he did go out towards them intentionally. The group has spoken to the jet skiers about irresponsible behaviour.
“It’s like everything else, one or two spoil it for the majority.”
Mr McLeish said deliberately disturbing whales or dolphins in UK waters is a criminal offence, and anyone caught doing so could face prosecution.
“There’s a case ongoing where a jet skier was reported to the procurator fiscal following complaints he was spotted close to a pod of bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth,” said Mr McLeish.
Grampian Police were contacted following the incident in June. The alleged offence comes under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
No dolphins were injured. Conservationists say the creatures are easily disturbed by loud noises.
The injuries to the Tay’s dolphins were discovered by the Maritime Volunteer Service’s Tay Unit, which operates vessels taking passengers on tours of the estuary and dolphin-spotting trips.
Dundee City Council is working in conjunction with Tayjet Personal Waterfront Club, which represents responsible jet-skiers, to try to ensure the safety of the dolphins. |
