Falmouth is the first harbour authority in the country to complete specific awareness training for the interaction with marine animals.

The well-being of marine animals in their interactions with people in the water is the focus of the government department DEFRA's first Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code.

With the increase in recreational activities in coastal waters from yachts, powerboats, paddle-boarders, kayakers, and swimmers. The harbour felt the time was right for staff not only to be fully aware of best practices themselves but be able to impart that advice to others.

The Falmouth Harbour team has been trained by veteran marine environmental campaigner Colin Speedie through his Wildlife Safety (WiSe) scheme, with key messages including maintaining a 100m distance from any marine animals and being slow and quiet around wildlife.

When discussing the training, Colin said: "Seeing wild animals in their natural habitat is an amazing experience but getting too close to marine life can and really does make them panic."

"Our WiSe scheme is aimed at anyone who spends time on the coast and sea for work or leisure and it's all about how to interact with marine wildlife in a safe and sustainable way – so we are really pleased and proud to be part of this development with Falmouth Harbour."

Common dolphins in Falmouth Harbour. (image: Colin Speedie, WiS)

The WiSe Scheme was launched in 2003, with the first course being held in Falmouth. Twenty years later it is fitting that Falmouth should be the first major harbour to gain WiSe accreditation for its staff.

Colin also added: "Falmouth Harbour has shown real leadership in recognising the need for awareness among staff surrounding their activities and their relationship with the public in regard to marine life, so necessary to preserve the natural wonders of the Fal and surrounding areas. This chimes well, too, with the new Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code launched so recently."

Falmouth Harbour's Environment Manager Vicki Spooner explained that training staff through the WiSe scheme has been invaluable in understanding how activities on the water can impact marine life.

Vicki said: "So many environmental issues are really difficult to find solutions for but this is an easy one we can all contribute to. Through understanding and changing our behaviours slightly we can all make a big difference.

 "As we are more aware of the issues we are more likely to be able to work with harbour users and, in particular, event organisers to inform and think about ways we can reduce the impacts on the fantastic marine life we are lucky enough to share our harbour waters with." 

Falmouth Harbour hopes with this increased WiSe awareness across the organisation – and with support from the maritime community - disturbance of marine life will be reduced to a minimum.

For detailed information on the work and services of Falmouth Harbour, including updates and FAQs on environmental initiatives visit www.falmouthharbour.co.uk or call the Falmouth Harbour team on 01326 213537.

For more information on the work of WiSe visit https://www.wisescheme.org/