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Jet Skier charged with disturbing dolphins
In recent years there has been increased concern about the potential disturbance of jet skiis on dolphins in the Shannon estuary so a recent report from Scotland is of interest.
"A Jet skier has been accused of disturbing bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth SAC. Nicol Wood, 21, is alleged to have driven a jet ski at high speed in a reckless and erratic manner at and around a school of bottlenose dolphins. It is claimed he disturbed or harassed the mammals off Macduff on June 24 last year. The alleged incident is said to have taken place about half-a-mile offshore, at Faw Bay. Wood is charged with a contravention of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is alleged he intentionally or recklessly disturbed or harassed the animals. The charge claims he splashed the water in an attempt to attract the attention of bottlenose dolphins and then drove at and around them on a jet ski. The Moray Firth is home to about 130 bottlenose dolphins and they are one of only a few known groups in British waters."
The SDWF have inputted into a recent Clare County Council consultation document on jet skiis and have proposed that signs be erected at all access points in Counties Kerry, Limerick and Clare to advise jet skiers and other boat users on the correct procedure around dolphins. The SDWF are hoping to get funding from the NPWS to complete this task.
For original item see:
http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk:80/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=149235&command=displayContent&sourceNode=149218&contentPK=16584385&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch
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Soundwaves
Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Threats
Monitoring
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