A rare sighting of a bottlenose dolphin near the shores of Lyme Regis has generated excitement among locals and tourists, alongside calls for caution from marine conservation authorities. While dolphins are more commonly seen in other parts of the West Country, their appearance in Dorset is unusual and noteworthy.
Jess Churchill-Bisset, head of marine conservation at the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), emphasized the importance of respecting these wild animals. “Dolphins are protected by law and can be vulnerable and unpredictable. It’s essential that everyone keeps a safe distance to avoid disturbing them or unintentionally causing harm, which could constitute a criminal offence.”
To raise awareness and promote responsible behaviour, the MMO is hosting a public meeting titled “Protecting Lyme Regis’ Dolphin Visitor and Avoiding Wildlife Offences” at the Fishing College in the Cobb on Thursday, May 22. The event aims to educate the community about how to protect the dolphin, understand legal restrictions, and help ensure both wildlife and people can safely enjoy the coast.
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Dolphins, along with whales and porpoises, are legally protected, and disturbing them intentionally or recklessly can lead to unlimited fines or imprisonment of up to six months. Sarah Hodgson from Dorset Wildlife Trust highlighted that disturbances negatively affect marine animals’ natural behaviors, including feeding and resting, which can cause stress and injury.
The Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code provides clear guidelines for safe dolphin viewing in UK waters: keep at least 100 metres away, travel at speeds no greater than six knots, and avoid encircling, chasing, feeding, touching, or swimming with the dolphins.
This is not the first recent dolphin encounter near Lyme Regis. In February, a dolphin was spotted interacting with the town’s lifeboat crew during training, and last October, one was found stranded on a local beach but was safely returned to the sea after checks.
Most dolphin sightings in the South West tend to occur off the coasts of Devon and Cornwall, according to the Sea Watch Foundation, with the latest known sighting in Dorset recorded just south of Lyme Regis at Charmouth on May 18.