WWF-UK: Recreational boat owners urged to protect wildlife
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Recreational boat owners urged to protect wildlife
Tuesday 6 May 2008
A new WWF-backed DVD will help recreational boat owners to reduce the number of injuries and deaths of animals from boat collision..
"The vast majority of boat owners take to the water to enjoy the natural world, and would never wish to cause harm to its wildlife. Yet by being too eager to get a good view, this can be the end result," said Colin Speedie, director of Wildlife Safe (WiSe), the training and accreditation scheme for UK tour boat owners that organise trips to see marine wildlife.
"This film demonstrates simple and practical ways to avoid causing disturbance, while ensuring that boat owners can continue to enjoy their encounters with marine wildlife," he added.
The WiSe Way to Watch Wildlife informs leisure boat owners on the best ways to view creatures such as whales, dolphins, basking sharks, seals, and seabirds in their natural habitat.
Many of these species are now protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, so it is even more important that the basic standards promoted by the WiSe scheme are adhered to.
The 12-minute DVD, which has received support from WWF-UK and the Save Our Seas Foundation, is presented by WWF-UK ambassador, Ben Fogle. The DVD will be distributed around the UK by government agencies such as Natural England, and can also be bought from WiSe.
Call for Marine Act
Increased eco-tourism could be adding to the pressures our marine species are already facing from fishing, pollution and climate change.
WWF-UK welcomed the publication in April this year of the Draft Marine Bill which, if enacted, should provide increased protection for the UK's marine environment. However, if the government is serious about safeguarding our seas, WWF-UK believes that a full Marine Bill must be introduced in November's Queen's Speech followed by legislation that covers the whole of the UK.
"I know from my travels around Britain, just what a fantastic array of wildlife we have around our shores. These species need our protection, and a Marine Act is vital to ensuring their continued presence in our seas," said Ben Fogle.
Copies of the DVD can be obtained by contacting the WiSe scheme at info@wisescheme.org
"This film demonstrates simple and practical ways to avoid causing disturbance, while ensuring that boat owners can continue to enjoy their encounters with marine wildlife," he added.
The WiSe Way to Watch Wildlife informs leisure boat owners on the best ways to view creatures such as whales, dolphins, basking sharks, seals, and seabirds in their natural habitat.
Many of these species are now protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, so it is even more important that the basic standards promoted by the WiSe scheme are adhered to.
The 12-minute DVD, which has received support from WWF-UK and the Save Our Seas Foundation, is presented by WWF-UK ambassador, Ben Fogle. The DVD will be distributed around the UK by government agencies such as Natural England, and can also be bought from WiSe.
Call for Marine Act
Increased eco-tourism could be adding to the pressures our marine species are already facing from fishing, pollution and climate change.
WWF-UK welcomed the publication in April this year of the Draft Marine Bill which, if enacted, should provide increased protection for the UK's marine environment. However, if the government is serious about safeguarding our seas, WWF-UK believes that a full Marine Bill must be introduced in November's Queen's Speech followed by legislation that covers the whole of the UK.
"I know from my travels around Britain, just what a fantastic array of wildlife we have around our shores. These species need our protection, and a Marine Act is vital to ensuring their continued presence in our seas," said Ben Fogle.
Copies of the DVD can be obtained by contacting the WiSe scheme at info@wisescheme.org
"These species need our protection, and a Marine Act is vital to ensuring their continued presence in our seas."
Ben Fogle, WWF-UK ambassador
Related links
- Copies of the DVD can be obtained by contacting the WiSe scheme at info@wisescheme.org
- Find out about our Marine Act campaign
- Adopt a dolphin