Appreciating wildlife

** NEW: Scroll down to find out about how the law is changing to better protect our wildlife and how this will affect you**

Did you know?

• In the UK we have the second largest fish in the world, the Basking Shark.
• The world's oceans support an estimated 10 million species but only 3% have been identified to date.
• Annually the UK hosts over 5 million migratory waterbirds.

Advice

• Keep a good pair of binoculars to hand – by keeping your noise and wash down you may even see breeding pairs in spring
• When you go ashore, use recognised landing places
• Small craft like personal watercraft, canoes and ribs can reach shallow, more sensitive areas. Avoid stirring up the bottom unduly, or disturbing vegetation and wildlife
• Slow down if you are creating excessive wash – it can erode banks, disturb nesting birds and damage sensitive vegetation
• If you keep a constant speed and direction when you spot whales and dolphins to avoid surprising or startling the animals
• Tell others what you have seen and help keep accurate records by reporting your sightings
• Find out whether the areas you visit are protected, and why. There may be vulnerable seabed species, so beware of dragging your anchor.

Useful information

Take a course to get the most out of watching wildlife from your boat.
www.wisecheme.org

Report sightings of whales and dolphins
www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/sightings.php

Identify those birds with the online id guide at RSPB.
www.rspb.org.uk

Find out about conservation activities in your area.
www.wildlifetrusts.org

The hard facts and legal aspects from Government web sites.
www.naturalengland.org.uk
www.snh.org.uk
www.ccw.gov.uk
www.ehsni.gov.uk

Find out more about protection of marine wildlife through the Marine Conservation Society.
www.mcsuk.org.uk

More on species, habitats and global threats see WWF.
www.wwf.org.uk

Greater Protection for our Wildlife

The world of environmental legislation is an ever changing one. Recent offshore racing events have highlighted the need for all water users to be aware of their responsibilities with regard to the safety of wildlife.

Amendments to the Habitats Regulations for England and Wales and the new Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 2007 came into force on the 21st August 2007. Both Regulations revised the definition of deliberate disturbance of European Protected Species (cetaceans, turtles and the Atlantic sturgeon).

What exactly constitutes ‘deliberate disturbance’ is still being discussed at the highest level and the public consultation closed at the start of June 2008. However the following is agreed, it is now an offence to deliberately disturb wild animals of European Protected Species in such a way as to belikely significantly to affect:

1. the ability of any significant group of animals of that species to survive, breed, or rear or nurture their young; or
2. the local distribution or abundance of that species.

The JNCC (with input from Natural England and Countryside Council for Wales) is required to provide advice on interpreting regulation [39(1)(b) if you want to look it up] from the point of view of nature conservation, by drafting guidance for those carrying out activities in the marine environment, to help determine when an offence might be committed, how it can be avoided and, if appropriate, when a wildlife licence might be required. This guidance will be published by the end of the year and The Green Blue will make sure it is widely publicised, however to be sure you get the latest updates please do log your details with us via the website www.thegreenblue.org.uk.

More information on the consultation can be found at www.jncc.gov.uk/page-4226

Information on European Protected Species can be found at www.naturalengland.org.uk/conservation/wildlife-management-licensing/habsregs.htm

Wildlife afloat

You may be surprised by what creatures might pop up on a cruise around the coast of Britain

This part of the site gives you a run-down of the animals, both rare and common, that you can be looking out for in UK waters, and where appropriate gives you some pointers on how your boating activities can be tailored to reduce impact on their natural world. Select a month on the left to see what you could see.

Wildlife law in the UK is complex taking various forms and differing between countries. The WiSe Guide to Wildlife Conservation Law provides general guidance to that which is applicable in England and Wales.

For more specific information about marine wildlfie download the WiSe Guide to Marine Wildlife Legislation