Department of Environment urges boat & jet ski users to keep safe distance from marine wildlife

The Department of the Environment is reminding boat and jet ski users to keep a safe distance from marine wildlife.

It highlights that this time of year sees fin whales making their annual migration from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic.

The Department of the Environment says Gibraltar is an important migratory corridor - not just for whales, but for a variety of marine wildlife, such as turtles, sunfish, sharks and seabirds.

It reminds boat and jet ski users to observe the Cetacean Protocol in how they behave around whales and dolphins.

This means you should not cut across their path, or navigate towards or near to them.

You should keep a distance of 300 metres if there are adults with young animals - and within a 500 metre radius, you shouldn't travel at more than four knots, or faster than the slowest animal in the group.

You should never get closer than 60 metres except in an emergency; if whales or dolphins approach or appear within 60 metres of a boat or jet ski, the engine should be placed in neutral or stopped.

The Department says the Environmental Protection and Research Unit will be closely monitoring activity at sea, and says any breaches of the Cetacean Protocol or the Nature Protection Act will be investigated and could result in legal proceedings.

It says you should call the unit on 5800 9620 if any animals are being disturbed or are in distress.