DOLPHINS are again being harassed by boats and jet skis in Weymouth Bay, it is claimed.

The latest incident was recorded by Ross Wheeler, a marine mammal observer and British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) volunteer, who was working on one of the cruise ships moored off Weymouth.

He saw three bottlenose dolphins being approached by a small boat and jet ski and the prolonged encounter, which was around half an hour on Sunday, May 31, was filmed on a mobile phone but was too far away to identify the individuals involved.

The footage, which claims to show the dolphins being harassed, has prompted calls for better education of water users who come across marine wildlife and has been passed on to the Marine Management Organisation and police.

This follows a similar incident in Weymouth Bay on May 21 when jet skis and boats were seen to be harassing dolphins. Weymouth is known to have a number of resident dolphins in its waters, with three popular locals named Danny, Harry and Will.

Dan Jarvis, BDMLR’s welfare development and field support officer, was passed the footage for advice and has described the incident as a textbook case of how to do virtually everything wrong.

He said: “Although the boat is occasionally very close to the animals, it usually remains stationary or moves at slow speed so isn’t causing a problem most of the time except for a few occasions when they turn and directly follow the dolphins. But at one point they cut right across in front of them and it appears that they very nearly struck them.

“By comparison, the jet ski is mostly moving at high speed with numerous erratic turns in close proximity, repeatedly cutting in front of the dolphins who are forced to change direction several times, are showing signs of distress throughout and at one point even split up.”

Mr Jarvis said there is no excuse for individuals in incidents like this to claim ignorance for justification for their actions.

“If you are out on the water then you must take responsibility and learn how to act properly around animals like dolphins, seals and seabirds,” he added.

“It is their home that we are visiting and we should behave responsibly.

“Cases like this seem to be on the rise across the country as increasing numbers of people use our coast in a variety of ways, including coasteering, paddle boarding, diving and so on. We regularly hear reports about these and other activities causing disturbance too, especially at this time of year when the weather is good and the sea is calm.

“At the end of the day it is wildlife that suffers from the selfish actions of a few that needlessly put them at great risk of harm and distress, and the more people can share these codes of conduct around their communities, clubs and harbours then the more visible these messages will be and hopefully taken notice of.”

Lisa Skelsey, who runs the Danny the dolphin Facebook page, wants people to act more responsibly around dolphins.

She said: "People see the dolphins then dash over to them at a rate of knots to see them or take a photo. The thing is if people were more sensible around them, these dolphins are happy to swim alongside. It is the rapid change of direction the poor dolphins have no hope of knowing which way they will choose to go.

"Do not circle them it disorientates them. Do not approach head on or directly from behind. Stay straight on your course and do not change directions and try to keep constant speed. These dolphins love to bow ride by the side of you, if you keep a steady course and a steady speed they will stay with you for ages, they will love it and you will have an experience that you will remember forever. If you do stop and the dolphins stop, make sure that you give them exit routes front and back so they can leave if they wish. Boats should kill the engine jet skis should idle.

"Danny is a different kettle of fish, he is the lone male that is super friendly to boats and he moved over to Bridport and Lyme for a while last year before coming back home to Portland. Although he now socialises with Will and Harry, he still chooses to spend time on his own.

"Danny has a nasty gash on his back, we believe it to be a prop but we have no proof in that as it could be a mooring line cut into him too, either way it is a nasty gash and is taking its time to heal. Danny gets far too close to boats and jet skis and will get close to the propellers, he’s been bumped by boat by accident and has several scars all over his body due to propellers. Danny’s healing but if things keep carrying on the way they are going with boats and Jet Skis they will kill one of them for sure.

"Danny will always be too friendly for his own good, seeking out boats and human company as that is what he has done for the past two years he has been in Dorset. I don’t think that will ever change so the only way forward is to warn boat users of the dangers Danny gets himself in to."

Dolphins and whales are protected from intentional or reckless disturbance by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Offenders may be fined or even receive a prison sentence if found guilty.

Incidents such as this can be reported to the police on 101 and asked to be passed on to the local wildlife crime officer, as well as being reported to Marine Management Organisation office’s enforcement team.