Marine & Coastal Code

18,000 members (https://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/support-us/become-member-cornwall-wildlife-trust)

59 nature reserves across Cornwall (https://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves)

13,400 species found on our reserves (https://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife-explorer)

Cornwall’s coastal and marine wildlife is so essential to our economy, our well being and enjoyment of a beautiful Cornwall but it is under pressure. Marine wildlife needs our help and respect.

The Cornwall Marine and Coastal Code aims to minimise the effect to marine and coastal wildlife from encounters with people, making your marine and coastal encounter great for wildlife.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust has joined forces with the RSPB, Cornwall Seal Group, National Trust, Marine Stranding Network and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), Cornwall Council, Devon and Cornwall Police Marine & Coastal Policing Team, the Marine Managment Organisation (MMO) and Natural England to tackle the important issue of marine wildlife disturbance and raise the issue of the protection of our coastal wildlife through the development of these web pages and the Cornwall Marine and Costal Code Group.

You can find out more on the CMCCG Website!

Our key messages:

Learn: find out first. Learn as much as you can about what wildlife you might see where and know the best way to act around it. This will help you improve your chances of great sightings.
See: be alert whilst out and about.
Respect: act appropriately and aim to leave wildlife as you found it.
Report: see the big picture. Understand that our coastal and marine wildlife has numerous encounters with people. Tell us about your sighting and any disturbance you see.

What YOU can do to help - take home messages:

Give the animals SPACE and TIME (Guiding principles)!
Check this website for sensitive wildlife sites
Expect the unexpected – be alert and get prepared
Observe from a distance – use binoculars if you can
Look for signs you’ve been spotted by wildlife and avoid actions that scare, startle or panic them
Large groups and mothers with young are best avoided completely
If you decide to move closer, approach side on, around the outside making sure the animal/s have a clear escape route
Be patient and wait downwind, move predictably, steadily and slowly
Be calm and quiet while you enjoy your encounter
Be considerate, back off and move on to keep your encounter brief
Leave wildlife and the environment as you found it
Report sightings www.ORKS.org.uk or species / disturbance incidents to the hotline 0345 201 26 26

Find the full Cornwall Marine and Coastal Code Toolkit HERE!

Have you seen a disturbance incident?

If you've witnessed a incident of marine wildlife disturbance, please report it as soon as possible!

Report to the Disturbance Hotline: 0345 201 2626

If possible and safe to do so, it is very helpful to get photos or better yet video of the incident and take a note of any registration or identification numbers which could help identify the individuals involved. The information you provide will be shared with the relevant enforcement to help with any investigations, but you can remain anonymous if you prefer.

CMCCG and the disturbance hotline comply with GDPR rules.