Worryingly high levels of wildlife crime reporting figures are “likely just the tip of the iceberg” of the reality of animal disturbances in the UK, a new report from the Wildlife and Countryside Link has warned, adding that incidences of crimes against marine mammals continue to rise in areas across Great Britain.

Recorded in its Wildlife Crime Report, the organisation has found that reports of wildlife crime levels have remained “stubbornly high” since a surge during the Covid-19 pandemic, with 4,735 incidents reported in 2023.

Among those reported were increased instances of persecution, harm, and even death for badgers, bats, and marine mammals, including seals. However, due to the report’s reliance on local volunteer group data, the organisation warns this is “likely just the tip of the iceberg”.

At the same time, convictions for wildlife crime remain few, with numbers at an all-time low when looking at all types of wildlife crime the report collects data on. In fact, it highlights that fisheries crime prosecutions have “plummeted”.

One of the stand-out findings in the report is that expanded data collection on marine mammal disturbance has revealed “a stark picture” of the UK. Data collected by wildlife groups on Cornwall, Devon, Kent, and Yorkshire shows the extent to which seals, whales, and dolphins are being disturbed by humans.

In fact, 1,290 reported incidents of disturbances against marine mammals were made throughout 2023, with zero convictions.

It’s believed that the recent surge in people participating in outdoor activities on or near the coast, such as walking, paddle boarding, kayaking, and jet skiing, as well as wildlife tours and wild swimming has led to the rise in disturbances against marine mammals. 

It is currently an offence to hurt or recklessly disrupt whales and dolphins under the Wildlife & Countryside Act, a law that does not yet cover seal species but seal disturbances in Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are prohibited where seals are a monitored feature.

One report from an SSSI in Cornwall documented the stampede of over 200 seals after being disturbed by people walking too close to them. Such incidents can cause harm and even death to the animals as they panic to enter the water.

An incident in Kent witnessed a group of ten watercrafts race each other across an SSSI next to a group of 30 resting seals, causing the seals to panic and flush into the sea.

Matt Browne, director of policy and advocacy at Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: “The picture for marine mammal disturbances revealed by new data really hits home in this year’s report, revealing a national issue.

“The physical harm and even death caused to our cherished seals, dolphins, whales, and porpoises when they’re maliciously or carelessly disturbed by people is exactly the sort of thing that must be tackled if the UK is to have a good chance of meeting its commitment to stopping the decline of nature by 2030.”

Historically, the biggest area for successful prosecutions has been in fisheries crimes, with enforcement traditionally better resourced through funding from fishing rod licensing. However, since its all-time high in 2019, conviction rates have fallen by almost 80%, reflecting – suggests the report – a decrease in funding or even willingness to prosecute by enforcement agencies.

“The government has the chance to turn a corner on wildlife crime,” continued Browne. “Making it a notifiable offence would help police forces identify crime hotspots and plan accordingly. Better information can underpin better law enforcement, leading to improved protection for marine mammals and other wildlife threatened by crime.”

To tackle the issue, nature experts are calling for wildlife crimes to be made notifiable to the Home Office, meaning they will be officially recorded in national statistics as well as increased resources and training for wildlife crime teams in police forces.

The Wildlife and Countryside Link also wants to see sentencing guidelines for wildlife crimes, calling on the Sentencing Council to consult such guidelines in England and Wales for a range of key wildlife cries, including breaches of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, Hunting Act, Protection of Badgers Act, Habitats Regulations and control of trade and endangered species regulations.  

Marine life conservation groups have, meanwhile, issued a shared sentiment that until such demands have been met, the biggest call to action is for greater care and awareness from the general public.

Anna Moscrop, head of science policy for whale and dolphin conservation (WDC), said: “Whales and dolphins are key predators in the ocean with a critical key role in maintaining healthy marine eco-systems, addressing climate change by cycling nutrients and sequestering carbon, and giving us a huge sense of wonder when we see them.

“But, we must make sure we don’t disturb them by keeping our distance when on the water to ensure they can continue to feed, rest, and socialise without disruption. We all need our personal space – so do whales and dolphins.”

Sue Sayer MBE of Cornwall Seal Research Trust echoed the sentiments, adding that the public need only to “keep your distance”.

“As more local groups record disturbance of our marine wildlife, we’re getting a clearer picture on how much of an impact our behaviour can have on animals,” she said. “We all have the right to head to the coast and enjoy ourselves, but if this disturbs a seal it can have dire consequences as they use up huge amounts of energy and risk physical injury when they flee from rocks or beaches.

“Fortunately, it’s very easy to enjoy our beaches and ocean without putting seals at risk of harm. Just keep your distance, and slowly move away from them if they start to look at you.”

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