Latest news with #MarineManagementOrganisation
BBC News
21-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Warnings after dolphin sighting in Lyme Regis Harbous
The appearance of a solitary bottlenose dolphin in a Dorset harbour has led conservation experts to release animal has appeared in Lyme Regis Harbour and sparked the initiative Operation Seabird, after reports of people getting too Marine Management Organisation (MMO), Dorset Police and Dorset Wildlife Trust have joined forces to remind people dolphins, whales and porpoises are protected by guidance said while dolphin sightings had led to excitement among residents and visitors, they were urged to keep their distance. Jess Churchill-Bissett, head of marine conservation, said: "The arrival of a dolphin in a small coastal community like Lyme Regis can be a source of wonder and pride. "But it's vital to remember dolphins are vulnerable and unpredictable wild animals protected by law. "We all have a responsibility to respect their space, keep a safe distance, and understand how our actions can unintentionally cause harm or even constitute a criminal offence."Intentionally approaching, or recklessly disturbing a dolphin can result in up to six months in prison as well as an unlimited fine. 'Let the animals leave' Ms Churchill-Bissett added: "By giving these animals space, observing them from a distance and acting responsibly, we help ensure their health and survival, so they remain a part of our coast now and for generations to come."Guidance for someone who encounters a dolphin while on the water includes slowing down to a speed below six knots, staying at least 100m (328ft) away, not chasing or encircling the animal and never trying to swim with, touch or feed guidance adds: "Sometimes dolphins may choose to approach you, in this situation you should maintain a steady speed and direction and let the animals leave when they choose."Anyone who witnesses a dolphin being disturbed is asked to contact the MMO, which is hosting a talk on marine wildlife disturbance on Thursday between 17:00 and 19:00 BST in the Fishing College, The Cobb. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Rock legend buried at sea in special ceremony after star requested he ‘sleep with the fishes'
THE Damned guitarist Brian James has been buried at sea in a special ceremony. The punk rocker's body was laid to rest on the ocean floor off the coast of Newhaven, East Sussex. Nine friends and family — including his widow Minna — sailed out from Eastbourne to witness the burial on April 28. It followed a small memorial service at a church near the couple's home in Brighton. Minna told The Sun: 'It was a beautiful day and the sea was calm. 'We've been together since I was 18, so it was very emotional. 'A burial at sea is pretty unusual, but it was in his will so we had to do it.' A local funeral firm had to apply for a certificate from the Marine Management Organisation. The musician died at the age of 74 on March 6. A source said: ''Brian now sleeps with the fishes, which is what he wished for before he died. "He was a true original in life and has carried that on in death. ''The spirit of punk never left him and he was adamant he wanted his final resting place to be at sea. ''A few loved ones went out on the boat for around three hours and watched as his coffin was dropped into the drink.'' First single by British punk rock band The Damned, released in 1976 1
The Irish Sun
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Rock legend buried at sea in special ceremony after star requested he ‘sleep with the fishes'
THE Damned guitarist Brian James has been buried at sea in a special ceremony. Advertisement Nine friends and family — including his widow Minna — sailed out from Eastbourne to witness the burial on April 28. It followed a small memorial service at a church near the couple's home in Brighton. Minna told The Sun: 'It was a beautiful day and the sea was calm. 'We've been together since I was 18, so it was very emotional. Advertisement Read More on Showbiz 'A burial at sea is pretty unusual, but it was in his will so we had to do it.' A local funeral firm had to apply for a certificate from the Marine Management Organisation. The musician died at the age of 74 on March 6. A source said: ''Brian now sleeps with the fishes, which is what he wished for before he died. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Exclusive "He was a true original in life and has carried that on in death. ''The spirit of punk never left him and he was adamant he wanted his final resting place to be at sea. ''A few loved ones went out on the boat for around three hours and watched as his coffin was dropped into the drink.'' First single by British punk rock band The Damned, released in 1976 1 The Damned guitarist Brian James has been buried at sea in a special ceremony Credit: Getty Advertisement
BBC News
26-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Stranded pregnant porpoise in Cornwall died in fishing nets
A pregnant porpoise found stranded in Cornwall died after being caught up in commercial fishing nets, a post-mortem examination has found. James Barnett, veterinary investigator for Cornwall Marine Pathology Team, described the examination as the "most distressing he has ever seen"."In nearly 20 years of undertaking this work, I have rarely seen a female so close to term. It was quite emotional for all of us," said Mr called on the government to provide access to acoustic deterrent devices, known as "pingers", which emit sounds to alert porpoises to fishing nets. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) said vessels over 12m (39ft) were required to use acoustic devices. The porpoise was found by trust volunteers on Good Friday after they were called to Pentewan Beach near St Austell.A post-mortem found the animal had been heavily pregnant with a near-term Barnett said the porpoise displayed "clear signs of entanglement" in monofilament fishing net, also known as gillnets – "a strong indicator of bycatch".Bycatch describes marine creatures trapped by commercial fishing nets during fishing for a different post-mortem was carried out as part of the government-funded Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme. Cornwall Wildlife Trust said increased sightings of small cetaceans, which are marine mammals including dolphins and porpoises, over the last nine years had coincided with more interactions with fishing was estimated to kill more than 1,000 harbour porpoises every year in UK waters alone, it Allen, marine conservation officer at the trust, said: "It's an agonising death for the individuals, and this level of loss is not sustainable for these populations."Urgent" government action was needed to work with fishers, many of whom were "ready" to use the devices, she said. However, the trust said fishers had reported difficulties obtaining licences to use the deterrent devices.A spokesman from the MMO said vessels over 12m (39ft) were required to use acoustic devices, and those outside that requirement must obtain a marine wildlife regard to fishers' difficulties obtaining licences, it said many applications came to the department anonymously without the required details, so they were unable to process said bycatch of porpoise was a concern and new management measures were being explored. 'Campaigned endlessly' Nick West, chairman of the Mevagissey Fisherman's Association, said a trial of the pingers had proven "undeniably effective", with no bycatch recorded on cameras installed on vessels using them West added said they had "campaigned endlessly" for the devices, which they had offered to MMO said options to manage bycatch could include expanding the use of the acoustic deterrent devices, spatial closures or voluntary options, but no decisions had been said it was discussing the options with experts and planned to involve industry leaders later this year to develop a formal proposal for consultation.
BBC News
09-04-2025
- BBC News
Devon and Cornwall whale watchers warned to keep their distance
Police are warning people in the South West to be responsible when watching marine an increase in whale sightings recently, Devon and Cornwall Police said it had received reports of people disturbing them to get a closer said people should keep at least 100m (328ft) away from whales and other marine wildlife, avoiding mothers and calves completely, and never pursuing animals if they move Lee Skinner, a rural affairs officer, said: "As the weather starts to warm up, it's important people visiting coastal areas consider the wellbeing of marine wildlife and take steps to prevent any unnecessary disruption." PC Skinner said people should keep "a safe distance away from whales, seals and other marine wildlife", keep noise noise to a minimum and ensure dogs were on said people should never touch marine mammals and switch boat engines to neutral if approached by force said it had partnered with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for Operation Seabird - a national initiative which aims to tackle marine wildlife disturbance and promote responsible wildlife who witnesses the disturbance of marine wildlife was asked to report it to police or the MMO.
