Fears over watersports impact on Scotland's marine life

But while paddleboarders – along with kayakers and canoeists - may assume they are quietly drifting along with barely a ripple in their wake, it appears in some cases they are causing far more damage than they think.

And, often unwittingly, their mere presence in some locations is having an adverse impact on rare birds, upsetting their nests and young, and disrupting other creatures like seals and otters.

Now wildlife groups are urging water sports enthusiasts to be more cautious on the water and avoid encroaching on the wildlife that lives in and near it.

Naturalist and author Sir John Lister-Kaye, owner and director of the Aigas Field Centre near Inverness, said the problem has been rising in recent months with serious impacts on wildlife.

“Probably as a result of covid, there’s been a rush from paddleboarders and we are getting instances of really quite rare birds being disturbed and pushed off their nests, and left unable to breed.

“It’s a widespread problem right across the Highlands.”

The River Beauly and Aigas Gorge, with its stunning rock formations, are among the country’s most popular paddleboarding sites, with the opportunity to spot osprey nests often cited as one of its attractions.

Other areas, such a Loch Fleet near Dornoch, where seals bask on the sand banks, have also become popular. In one recent case, a paddleboarder was reported to have landed on a sandbank to try to snatch a selfie with the seals.

Sir John said many people encroaching on precious wildlife sites are unaware of the problems they are creating.

“With the greatest of respect, how can people who live at 32 Lobelia Avenue be expected to know where birds like black throated divers are nesting?”

Sir John, who was a close friend of Ring of Bright Water author Gavin Maxwell, added that efforts had been attempted to guide water sports enthusiasts away from the most sensitive areas but had failed.

“We have tried hard to argue the case for restricting access to places where black throated divers or osprey nest, but we have been met with a brick wall – land reform access provision trumps all of that.”

Scotland’s waters have become the focus for increased attention as visitors seek to offset the stresses of the pandemic by reconnecting with nature and the outdoors.

Interest has also been fuelled by the recent Year of Coast and Waters campaign, which spotlighted water-based activities and places to explore.

However, a problem is how quiet paddleboards, canoes and kayaks are: seals and birds can be unaware until they are remarkably close, causing them to panic and flee.

That can lead to wildlife being injured or being flushed into water or areas where predators may lurk.

A spokeswoman for nature agency NatureScot said: “We don’t usually have a problem with water sports, but over the summer months we have seen a surge in the use of paddleboards, canoes and kayaks at some of our nature reserves, which has, in some instances, caused disturbance to wildlife.

“In mid-June, we asked people to keep off the water at our Muir of Dinnet NNR, as nesting birds were being disturbed by so many people using Loch Kinnord for recreation.

“And in July we had people getting too close to seals at Loch Fleet. Disturbance can mean pups are separated from mothers, resulting in young seals being abandoned, stranded or orphaned.

“As we move into the wintering bird season, we have introduced our usual water access restrictions at Loch Leven to protect the huge number of wintering birds that take refuge here.

“There’s also clear signage in place to stay well away from seal haul-out sites at our Forvie and Tentsmuir nature reserves, where thousands of grey seals will be arriving to pup over the winter months.

“We’re asking people to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and the local guidance on the signage at our nature reserves.”

Leisure boats, jetskis and other water users have also been targeted in a new campaign which appeals to them to be more considerate or risk criminal charges.

Danny Groves of Whale and Dolphin Conservation said: “The issue of disturbance around whales and dolphins in UK waters is something we have been highlighting recently especially as lockdowns ended and visits to the coast in the summer surged.

“WDC fears that dolphin disturbance incidents in the waters around the UK involving members of the public using leisure craft, jetskis, kayaks and paddleboards could increase.

“Of particular concern is the lack of awareness of the existing laws around disturbance by people using these craft, or who attempt to jump in and swim with dolphins in the sea.”

He added: “Marine mammals are sensitive to disturbance, especially when they have young, are resting, feeding or socialising. Human disturbance can frighten them and scare them away from important habitats, and in extreme cases, injury or kill them.”

“WDC staff and volunteers regularly witness disturbance in Scottish waters first-hand and receive many reports from concerned marine wildlife enthusiasts, which has prompted the awareness drive.”

Morven Summers of the Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust said: “Wildlife watching can be a rewarding experience, however there are guidelines to follow to ensure that the welfare of the animals is paramount.

“The key is to let the animals control the encounter, so rather than following or chasing them, let them come to you.

“We promote responsible watching by advising people to take a boat trip with operators who have undergone WiSe training – they’ve been taught how to minimise disturbance during their trips in accordance with the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code.”