Wildlife trust 'inundated' with whale sightings

A marine conservation officer has said she has been inundated with sightings of whales off the Cornwall coast.

The Cornwall Wildlife Trust, which has been collecting data on sightings, said the number had "gone through the roof".

The whales have been spotted in both Watergate Bay and Mawgan Porth.

Bex Allen, marine conservation officer at the trust, said the team have had confirmed sightings of at least five whales across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

"We are very pleased," she said. "A lot of photos and sightings are being sent in which is great.

"Quite excitingly, one of the whales we have had off the coast of Newquay is actually a repeat visitor from last year.

"I think make the most of them while they are here because, we don't know, next year may be very different."

It is illegal to chase or harass cetaceans under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Ms Allen urged people to follow the whale watching code of conduct.

"Slow approach and only from the side, not from directly in front or behind, and stay at least 100m (328ft) away," she said.

She advised that if more than one boat was present near a whale they should keep 300m (942ft) away.

"Don't box the animal in and especially don't box it in against the coast," she said.

"It is more unknown about drones but we would advise a precautionary 100m distance again and to check they have permission to fly."

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