Bottlenose dolphins in UK coastal waters face increasing disturbance from recreational boating and wildlife tourism. Understanding appropriate interaction guidelines protects dolphin welfare.
Wild bottlenose dolphins disturbed by recreational vessels and tourism operations experience acute fear responses and altered behaviour that impose welfare costs. Dolphins that dive when approached by boats, change direction to avoid vessels, or abandon foraging and socialising behaviour are responding to disturbance that disrupts normal daily activity patterns. Repeated disturbance of mother-calf pairs risks separation and reduces nursing opportunities. Swim-with-dolphin operations, however well-intentioned, can alter dolphin movement patterns, increase energy expenditure and create dependency on predictable human presence that disrupts natural behaviour. Responsible wildlife tourism that maintains appropriate distances and follows established guidelines reduces disturbance welfare costs substantially.