Call to leave Moray Firth dolphins alone following a the surge in popularity of paddle boarding, kayaking and sea swimming

The famous Moray Firth dolphins are facing a new threat – the surge in popularity of paddle boarding, kayaking and sea swimming.

In recent years motorboats were at times the scourge of the population of bottlenose dolphins, but now it is an “explosion” in popularity for taking to the often dangerous waters in cheap wetsuits, on boards or in canoes that is causing concern.

It is not unknown for people to try and swim with the dolphins off the Black Isle hotspots such as Chanonry Point near Rosemarkie.

Now a group of conservationists is mounting a campaign to curb pestering of the sensitive cetaceans.

Campaign spokeswoman Sarah MacDonald-Taylor, Avoch, said: “We have launched an anti marine wildlife disturbance campaign for the Black Isle, in conjunction with Ullapool Sea Savers and Whale and Dolphin Conservation, (WDC) and this week we met interested parties at Chanonry to discuss the situation.

“This included Dan Sutherland, our local wildlife crime officer, Charlie Phillips the full-time field officer with the WDC, reps from Highland Council’s access rangers and local volunteers.

“We are seeing a rise in dolphin disturbance including attempts to swim with dolphins and further publicity is much needed.

“Previously there has been concern about sight seeing boats getting to close, but the local operators are very good at following the code of conduct regarding getting too close to dolphins or other cetaceans, and we want the boarders, kayakers and swimmers to do the same.”

Ms MacDonald-Taylor of Avoch and Killearnan Community Council, said there are serious safety concerns.

Despite their image, she said, dolphins are capable of becoming aggressive. And she added: “It is quite a difficult situation because Chanonry is known as a good dolphin spotting area. Everyone seems to want to swim board or paddle, and they can get so much closer.”

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.