Scarborough police hold Operation Seabird event promoting wildlife protection along the coast
An Operation Seabird event took place in Scarborough this week, which had a special multi-agency focus on protecting marine mammals such as dolphins, porpoises, whales and seals from human disturbance.
Operation Seabird is now a national initiative but was pioneered in Yorkshire by RSPCA Inspector Geoff Edmond.
The partner agencies involved on Wednesday (April 22) also included the RSPB, the Marine Management Organisation, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Natural England, the Yorkshire Marine Nature Partnership, British Divers Marine Life Rescue, the North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NEIFCA), the Coastguard, RNLI, and the Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Marine and Underwater Search Unit based at Humberside Police.
The awareness raising activity was organised by PC Jamie Manson, from the Scarborough Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team, to run as part of the wider Operation Tornado.
A police spokesperson said: “It got underway at Scarborough Harbour with the Operation Seabird partners engaging with fishing boat crews and other vessel owners about how they can recognise and report incidents involving boat users, kayakers, paddle boarders, and swimmers who appear to be disturbing dolphins, porpoises, whales and seals in their natural habitat.
“It was then onto the Seawatching Station on Marine Drive where the various partners set up stalls to further inform wild-life enthusiasts and passers-by about Operation Seabird.
“Deputy Chief Constable Scott Bisset took part in the event and praised the efforts of everyone involved.
“All in all, it proved to be a successful gathering and a prime opportunity to heighten awareness ahead of the summer months about this vital wildlife protection issue along our famous coastline.”