Dolphin 'harassed' by boat owners

Rescuers said there have been reports of boats chasing the dolphin

Marine rescuers criticised boat owners after reports they harassed a bottlenose dolphin in the sea.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) said eyewitnesses saw boats chasing the dolphin in Seaford Bay, off the Sussex coast.

Director, Tony Woodley, said: "We have noticed this type of incident is dramatically on the increase."

The male dolphin sparked a rescue alert off Seaford Beach last Friday after it was reported to be in distress.

Mr Woodley said boats had been chasing the dolphin in the bay.

The last thing we want to do is drive these animals away from our coast and their feeding grounds Marine mammal medic Stephen Marsh

He said the number of incidents like this were on the increase because of "the casual boat owner's total ignorance of the law and how to behave when encountering marine wildlife".

Mr Woodley added: "It is an offence to harass a dolphin and a conviction carries a maximum sentence of £5,000 or a six month jail term."

National co-ordinator, Trevor Weeks, said the dolphin had remained in the area to feed.

'Uncommon sight'

"There's a lot of mackerel close to the shore," he said.

"It's very uncommon to see a bottlenose dolphin in the English Channel."

Mr Weeks believes boat owners would not harass dolphins if they had a better knowledge of the animals, their behaviour and the law which protects them.

Marine mammal medic, Stephen Marsh, who was called to last Friday's rescue alert, said: "The last thing we want to do is drive these animals away from our coast and their feeding grounds.

"Anyone witnessing harassment of any marine life should contact the Wildlife Liaisons Officers at Sussex Police."