Bottlenose dolphins inhabit several UK coastal areas and are subject to significant welfare pressures from boat traffic, noise pollution, fishing gear entanglement, and prey depletion.
Dolphin welfare is compromised by chronic noise stress from vessel traffic, which disrupts communication, foraging, and mother-calf bonds. Boat disturbance causes flight responses that use energy at the expense of foraging. Marine protected areas with boat speed restrictions help but need stronger enforcement.