A ferry operating between Mevagissey and Fowey in Cornwall has revealed new evidence showing several dolphins with serious injuries to their dorsal fins, including two individuals with fins completely severed.
The footage, recorded on 3 August by ferry crews, show at least five dolphins in a pod exhibiting damage, ranging from bent fins to completely missing dorsal fins. Veterinary pathologist James Barnett from the Cornwall Marine Pathology team has assessed the injuries and concluded they most likely resulted from impact with watercraft.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust, which received the footage, warns that increased recreational boating activity in the region’s coastal waters is heightening risks to local marine mammals. The Trust has also received reports of boats approaching dolphin pods too closely, sometimes even moving directly through them.
Rebecca Allen, marine conservation officer at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, comments: “Over the last 10 years, we’ve had increased numbers of common dolphins in our Cornish inshore waters. Whilst this can lead to spectacular encounters for us, it also brings them into our very busy coastal waterways.
“We urge water users to please keep at a sensible speed and follow Government guidelines if they do see marine animals: reduce to a slow ‘no-wake’ speed and keep to a safe distance – at least 100m away.”
The increase in boating activity since the Covid-19 pandemic, combined with a rise in dolphin populations off the Southwest coast, has raised concerns about the welfare of these animals.
Back in 2023, MIN reported on the protection of a lone ‘social solitary’ bottlenose dolphin in Devon and separate incidents along the south coast of dolphins being hit by boat propellers.
Under UK law, it is illegal to intentionally or recklessly kill, injure, or disturb cetaceans such as dolphins and porpoises.
Water users seeking guidance on responsible wildlife interaction can consult the Marine & Coastal Code provided by Cornwall Wildlife Trust and DEFRA.
The Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Strandings Network, responsible for monitoring marine wildlife strandings across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, is working alongside DEFRA and the University of Exeter to investigate and mitigate threats to marine species.
Alongside this footage, the BBC also reported an injured dolphin in waters off Lyme Bay, Devon. In response, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) are holding an online event on Thursday, 14 August, inviting the public to understand solitary dolphin behaviour and how better to protect them.
The trust encourages all boaters and recreational water users to follow best practices to protect marine life and prevent further injuries.
The post Video: spike in Cornwall dolphin injuries tied to boating activity appeared first on Marine Industry News.
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