Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has launched a public consultation on the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code. The code will help protect and promote enjoyment of marine wildlife such as dolphins, seals, otters and basking sharks. A draft code has been produced in association with a range of marine interest groups, and interested parties are encouraged to give their views by contacting SNH or looking up www.marinecode.org
The new Code helps to promote enjoyment and to raise awareness about how best to watch marine wildlife with minimum disturbance. Wildlife watching is now an increasingly significant aspect of tourism in Scotland and it is important for the sector's future, as well as for wildlife, that people behave in a manner which does not disturb these species.
John Markland, chairman of SNH said: "I would urge anyone who enjoys watching marine wildlife to look at this consultation and contribute their thoughts on the draft Code. Wildlife watching is an increasingly popular public activity and one which we are keen to promote, but it is obviously important that people don’t disturb or harass the animals in the process. The code will help people to recognise signs of disturbance, so that everyone understands how to get the most from their wildlife watching. We need contributions from as many interested parties as possible to ensure we have a workable code which will not only help to protect our marine wildlife but also encourage more awareness of this wonderful part of our natural heritage."
The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act recognised that we have a shared interest in ensuring the sustainability of the marine wildlife watching industry by asking SNH to produce a Code that set out 'recommendations, advice and information relating to commercial and leisure activities involving the watching of marine wildlife'.
The draft Code includes:
- A set of principles that apply to everyone, wherever they are, whatever wildlife they are watching
- User codes for people on the coast, those using motorboats, sailing boats, kayaks and people diving and snorkelling
- A guide to best practice for watching different groups of animals with more detailed information
The draft Code was developed through a series of public meetings with interest groups connected to marine wildlife watching, particularly wildlife tour boat operators. Input was also received from a wide variety of individuals including those involved with kayaking, diving and sailing. Voluntary codes of practice already exist for watching wildlife in many parts of Scotland, for example those of associations 'Wild Scotland' and 'Scottish Marine Wildlife Operators Association'. The new Code builds on these to create more comprehensive guidance. It is the first time that a code has been produced which applies to everyone and provides information and advice on marine wildlife around the whole country.
The consultation will run for three months from November 2005 to February 2006 and the final version will be published in autumn 2006.
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