Stop the harassment of wild dolphins, NGOs, companies plea
Repeated disturbance by recreational sea users is threatening one of Malta's most important marine wildlife populations
A coalition of 29 companies and environmental organisations has called on the government to address the ongoing harassment of bottlenose dolphins in Maltese waters, warning that repeated disturbance by recreational sea users is threatening one of Malta's most important marine wildlife populations.
They said that their appeal follows years of documented incidents involving jet skis, speedboats, private vessels and other recreational watercraft.
The entities said that despite formal reports submitted to the authorities since 2022, no effective enforcement measures had been introduced.
Aquaculture areas are a critical feeding ground used daily by a resident community of bottlenose dolphins, including adults, juveniles, calves and newborns.
“These dolphins are not simply passing through our waters — they form a resident community that depends on specific areas such as the Delimara fish farms for feeding and social activities. When vessels repeatedly chase, surround or interrupt them, they are forcing them to alter their natural behaviour and expend energy unnecessarily. Over time, repeated disturbance can have serious implications for the wellbeing and survival of this population,”said Patrizia Patti, founder of EcoMarine Malta.
Disturbing dolphins while they are feeding forces the animals to expend unnecessary energy, disrupts their natural behaviour, and may have long-term consequences for the health and survival of the population.
One of the most serious incidents occurred on 22 April when multiple jet skis deliberately pursued a group of approximately 15–20 dolphins that were feeding near the fish farms.
The entities stressed that the harassment of dolphins is not only an animal welfare concern but also a breach of national, European and international legislation protecting cetaceans. Bottlenose dolphins are protected under Maltese law, the EU Habitats Directive, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the Nature Restoration Regulation, ACCOBAMS and the Barcelona Convention, all of which prohibit the deliberate disturbance of protected marine species.
The coalition also expressed concern that dolphin encounters are increasingly being promoted on social media as a tourist attraction, with videos encouraging close approaches by jet skis and private boats. Such practices, they said, are incompatible with internationally recognised codes of conduct for observing cetaceans and risk normalising behaviour that is both irresponsible and unlawful.
The signatories of the letter included Graffitti, Malta Ranger Unit, Friends of the Earth, Animal Liberation, BirdLife, Friends of the Earth and Malta Chamber of Scientists.