Wildlife
Legislation
A recent change in
legislation means that it is now an offence to intentionally or
recklessly disturb a cetacean or basking shark, and ignorance of
the law is no defence. All club members and
instructors should be aware of what disturbance is and how to
prevent it. Legislation also exists to protect certain species and
habitats from damage and disturbance. All dolphins, porpoises and
whales, basking sharks, marine turtles and birds are protected by
law against intentional killing, injuring and taking.
The UK Marine and
Coastal Access Act which received Royal Assent in November 2009,
will create “Marine Protected Areas” (MPAs) around the UK coast,
with varying levels of protection measures. These MPAs are due to
be established by 2012 and the process for designating them is
already in its early stages. The RYA is closely involved with this
consultation process but it seems likely that certain
motorised boating activity and possibly anchoring will be limited
in some areas.
Disturbance
So what exactly
constitutes disturbance and why is it so bad? Well, disturbance can
be caused by noise, wash or by just being too close. Disturbance
simply means affecting the way in which animals would normally
behave and it can have a detrimental effect on their behaviour,
breeding, feeding, resting and ultimately their numbers.
For example, a
flock of seabirds rafting up to rest at sea may take off as they
are disturbed by a passing boat. This, in itself, may not seem like
too much of a problem, but if repeated as boat after boat goes by,
then the important resting period would be constantly disturbed.
This would lead to increased energy consumption, stress and the
need for more food.
Other examples
include: engine noise interfering with the acoustic communications
of whales and dolphins, affecting the way they hunt for prey.
Speeding vessels can also affect the reproductive cycles of fish
and excess wash can cause bank erosion and the loss of
habitats.
Best Practice Advice Leaflets & Resources Marine Toolkit
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