Shell vessel attempts to kill dolphins

mayo | environment | news report

Monday July 28, 2008 10:22

by Dolphin Watcher

Wreckless driving by the Niamh Aine - Porturlin

A school of curious dolphins were attacked yesterday lunchtime by a vessel supporting Shell's offshore pipeline works in Broadhaven Bay at Glengad. The Niamh Aine - a pleasure boat hired to escort various work vessels around the area - drove across the path of two of the dolphins who were inspecting the Vlaanderen VII barge.

dolphins in Broadhaven Bay

The barge was alone with the pleasure boat, but was unable to do anything as it normally works in tandem with the dredger, which was not present.

After driving at the dolphins and doing a circle of the area, the Niamh Aine and Vlaanderen VII both headed for Ballyglass Pier, their base-camp for operations. The Niamh Aine returned within the hour to scout the same location (carrying passengers without safety attire) and followed the dolphins away from the scene.

The barge and dredger returned and have been working on the offshore Corrib pipeline route since yesterday evening.

The Irish Whale & Dolphin Group, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Belmullet Gardai were all informed of the incident, which was closely witnessd by half a dozen people.

So far there has been no interest shown by those authorities, and Shell's actions in the area continue to operate entirely outside the law.

inspecting the Vlaanderen VII

swimming alongside

support boat cuts across path

Niamh Aine - PORTURLIN

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Comments (3 of 3)

Contact Details for the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

by Mark C

Tue Jul 29, 2008 14:34

From: http://www.iwdg.ie/content.asp?id=14

For General Enquiries please email enquiries@iwdg.ie
IWDG Committee
IWDG Co-ordinator
Simon Berrow
IWDG, Merchant's Quay, Kilrush, Co. Clare.
Tel: 086 8545450

Email: simon.berrow@iwdg.ie
Sightings Co-ordinator
Pádraig Whooley
Dereen, Rossmore, Clonakilty, Co. Cork.
Tel: 023-38761

Email: padraig.whooley@iwdg.ie
Strandings Co-ordinator
Mick O'Connell
Coolcummisk, Beaufort, Killarney, Co. Kerry.
Tel: 064-24934 or 087-6328106

Email: mick.oconnell@iwdg.ie
Ships Co-ordinator
Dave Wall
IWDG, Merchant's Quay, Kilrush, Co. Clare.
Tel: 087 2977931

Email: dave.wall@iwdg.ie
Membership Secretary
Mick O' Connell
Coolcummisk, Beaufort, Killarney, Co. Kerry.
Tel: 064-24934 or 087-6328106

Email: mick.oconnell@iwdg.ie
Treasurer
George Delaney
Kylemore, The Rower, Co. Kilkenny.

Email: george.delaney@iwdg.ie
Committee Members
Andrew Malcolm [Waterford]

Faith Wilson [Wicklow]
IWDG Board of Directors
Frances Bermingham

Email: frances.bermingham@iwdg.ie
Ian Enlander Chairman

Email: ian.enlander@iwdg.ie
Kevin Mc Cormick

Email: mac@furnituredepot.ie
Vincent Murphy

Email: murphyvincent@yahoo.com
Fiacc O'Brolchain

Email: fiaccob@iol.ie
Emer Rogan

E-mail: emer.rogan@iwdg.ie
Phyllis Ryan

E-mail: phyllis.ryan@iwdg.ie

Shell acting illegally again

by Rudiger

Tue Jul 29, 2008 13:32

In the foreshore consent letter issued to Shell on 27 June 2008 by the Dept of Agriculture & Fisheries, Schedule 3 - Part 1 states:

8. The MMO (Marine Mammal Observer) must ensure that an exclusion zone 1000m around the vessel is free of marine mammals (whales, dolphins, and seals) for 30 minutes before the operations commence.

9. If marine mammals are observed during the 30-minute period within 1000m of the vessel, the start of operations should be delayed until they move away and 30 minutes without marine mammal observations within the exclusion zone has passed.

From witnesses who saw the incidents of the dolphins being chased by the boats it is clear that these rules were breached.

IWDG response to inactivity

by Dr Simon Berrow - Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:03

Please could you let me know:

1. Who has written this piece and
2. how and who have they contacted in the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group ?

Marine Notice 15 of 2004 provides guidance on correct procedures when encountering whales, dolphin and porpoise in Irish coastal waters. This Notice was issused under a Statutory Instrument which is legally enforcable, if the writer wishes to make a case of this there is a clear legal framework available to them.

Dr Simon Berrow
IWDG Co-ordinator

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Shell vessel attempts to kill dolphins

Comments (3 of 3)