29 entities call for urgent action to stop harassment of wild dolphins

by Gozo News · July 27, 2026

A coalition of 29 companies and environmental organisations has called on the Maltese Government to take immediate action 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.

In a joint statement, they said that the appeal, follows years of documented incidents involving jet skis, speedboats, private vessels and other recreational watercraft pursuing in a number of sites where there is a high overlap between dolphin populations and leisure craft traffic, also falling within or directly adjacent to Marine SPAs and SACs in the Natura 2000 network.

The entities state that despite formal reports submitted to the authorities since 2022, ”no effective enforcement measures have been introduced.”

According to EcoMarine Malta, scientific research carried out through the DELFISHPAM project has confirmed that 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, we 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.

She warned that ”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.”

Ms Patti highlighted one of the most serious incidents occurred on the 22nd of April 2026, when EcoMarine Malta documented ”multiple jet skis deliberately pursuing a group of approximately 15-20 dolphins that were actively feeding near the fish farms.”

The company reported that the operators ”repeatedly chased and intercepted the animals and later behaved aggressively towards the research vessel after being asked to stop. The incident was formally reported to the authorities and supported by video evidence.”

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 strictly 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.

“Malta already has the legal framework needed to protect these animals,” the letter’s signatories said. ” What has been missing is effective enforcement, public education and clear guidance for sea users.”

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.” 29 entities call for urgent action to stop harassment of wild dolphins The entities are calling for a series of immediate measures, including the introduction of a legally binding code of conduct for interactions with cetaceans, reduced speed limits in areas regularly used by dolphins, stronger monitoring and enforcement, mandatory wildlife briefings for jet ski rental clients, compulsory marine conservation modules within the nautical licensing curriculum, and the establishment of a national reporting system for cetacean sightings and wildlife incidents.

They also emphasised that Maltese legislation places a legal obligation on the competent authorities to educate the public about protected species and biodiversity. Improving awareness among recreational sea users and commercial operators, they said, is essential to reducing wildlife disturbance before enforcement becomes necessary.

The entities concluded by urging the Government to work together with scientists, NGOs and the maritime sector to safeguard Malta’s resident dolphin population and ensure that the country’s legal obligations towards protected marine wildlife are effectively implemented.

They said that the letter is being addressed to Tourism Minister Mr Jo Etienne Abela, Environmental Minister Dr Miriam Dalli, Transport Minister Mr Chris Bonett, Fisheries Minister Dr Anton Refalo, Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Welfare Dr Alicia Bugeja Said, and Commissioner for Animal Welfare Mr Elliot Magro.

These are the 29 signatories (Private companies, individuals and environmental NGOs):

1 EcoMarine Malta

2 Malta Ranger Unit

3 EcoMarket

4 Global Mindset Development

5 Wave of Change

6 Climate Friendly Travel

7 Aquatic Resources Malta

8 Ritual Dive

9 Marine Connection

10 Zibel

11 Discover the Blu