MARINE Conservation Officers from Cornwall Wildlife Trust are shocked by the death of a dolphin in St Austell Bay which stranded with horrific injuries from a boat strike.

The wildlife charity is now urging people to behave responsibly and admire wildlife from a distance ahead of an influx of visitors to Cornwall’s shores expected this Easter weekend.

On Tuesday morning (April 12), the Trust’s Marine Strandings Network hotline was alerted to a common dolphin at Porthpean Beach by a member of the public. Although a post-mortem of the dolphin is yet to be carried out, the network’s veterinary pathologist has confirmed the animal had suffered as a result of a boat strike, with the injuries likely to have caused its death.

Abby Crosby, marine conservation officer at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said: “Today’s devastating stranding of this incredible creature is exactly the reason why Cornwall Wildlife Trust, alongside a partnership of other organisations within the Cornwall Marine and Coastal Code Group, are asking people to take care on the water this Easter.

“Wildlife disturbance by sea users, whether a boat, jet ski, kayak or even a SUP, has become one of the greatest threats to our marine and coastal wildlife and it has to stop. What is more – we all have the ability to stop it by changing our behaviour at sea and we need to do so urgently.”

Common dolphins are just one of the many species supported by Cornwall’s iconic coastline. Along with nesting seabirds, internationally rare Atlantic grey seals and basking sharks, Cornwall’s dolphins are increasingly suffering due to the increase of recreational and commercial users.

Research published by the Cornwall Marine and Coastal Code Group shows disturbance reports increase from February to August every year, with spikes in both July and August. This coincides with the peak visitor season in Cornwall, with more and more people wanting to enjoy Cornwall’s stunning coastline during the spring and summer months.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust, alongside the Cornwall Marine and Coastal Code Group, have set up a 24-hour marine disturbance hotline and urges anyone who witnesses an incident of marine disturbance to report it immediately (with any photographs or videos of the incident) to 0345 201 2626. A Coastal Code of Conduct can also be found at www.cornwallmarinelifecode.org.uk, which provides information for water users to lessen their impact on the wildlife they spot.

To donate to Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s ‘Dolphin and Porpoise Appeal’ today, please visit www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/dolphinappeal