News from the BPA

Aberdeen Harbour’s Dolphin Code

Aberdeen Harbour Board has developed a Code of Practice, designed to protect Bottlenose dolphins near the mouth of the Harbour, and to provide guidance to vessels operating in the port.

Aberdeen Harbour Board has developed a Code of Practice, designed to protect Bottlenose dolphins near the mouth of the Harbour, and to provide guidance to vessels operating in the port.

Today, Aberdeen is still one of the best places in the UK to view dolphins, with RSPB’s Dolphin Watch Project reporting that visitors have a nine-in-ten chance of seeing the animals feeding nearing the city’s Harbour.

The guidance suggests boats maintain a steady course at the slowest possible speed, stay away from the breakwaters, avoid directly approaching the animals, and not feeding, touching, or swimming with the dolphins.

The guidance will benefit a wide range of wildlife in the Harbour, which is visited by Bottlenose, White Beaked and Risso Dolphins, Porpoises, Minke Whales and Basking Sharks.

ENVIRONMENTAL TAGS: Habitats and Biodiversity