Dolphin watching worth £4m to Scotland

The firth is home to the world's most northerly dolphin population - an estimated 130 bottlenose dolphins known locally as "loupers" or "tumblers".

And a report, commissioned by the Moray Firth Partnership, has shown that their presence in the firth is worth at least 4m to the local economy and supports more than 200 jobs in the sector through the overnight trips undertaken by tourists to see the dolphins.

Dolphin watching was a significant reason for 52,200 overnight visitors travelling to the East coast of Scotland, and 17,100 of these visitors considered seeing dolphins to be the main reason for their trip.

The findings were welcomed by Marion Macmillan, the chair of the partnership. She said: "We always knew that the dolphins were a great tourist attraction, but I don't think we realised just how important they were for a lot of tourists and that people often come specially to the area to see the dolphins and bring their spending money with them."

Ms Macmillan said it was important for the future of the tourism industry on the East coast of Scotland that the potential of dolphin watching in the Moray Firth was developed still further.

But she stressed: "At the same time is has to be sustainable. We must not put the dolphins under pressure.

"It is not a case of saying let's go for it - let's have as many boats out there as possible chasing dolphins. We absolutely can't do that. The dolphin operators are very responsible and they wouldn't want to do that but we have to find a way of developing this kind of tourism without putting these beautiful animals under pressure."

Ms Macmillan said the best way forward would be to develop land-based facilities for dolphin watching.

"I think we are unique in Europe in having such a fantastic way of seeing the dolphins without having to go out to sea," she said. "And I know that Highland Council, for example, are anxious to take that forward."

Richard Lochhead, the Moray MSP and Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, also welcomed the findings.

He said: "Dolphins are much loved inhabitants of Scotland's eastern waters and it is little wonder that many thousands of people plan especially to see them. But beyond their charm, they are also a very visible symbol of a healthy and sustainable marine environment."

Mr Lochhead added: "The Marine Scotland Act has been created to protect our wild species - like dolphins - while we also ensure that Scotland continues to benefit from the riches contained within our waters.The interests are many and diverse, but conscientious stewardship of this vast natural resource can only enrich us as a nation.

"While dolphins directly add to our tourist income, they are also a delightful symbol of this unique and special environment which we protect, develop and enjoy."

AT THE LIMIT

The Moray Firth represents the most northerly extent of the range of one of only two known resident populations of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in United Kingdom waters.

It is the last remaining resident population of bottlenose dolphins in the North Sea, and the most northerly resident population in the world, with an estimated resident population of 130 adults.

Some of the best spots for seeing the dolphins are around the narrows at Kessock, Chanonry Point and the Sutors at the mouth of the Cromarty Firth. But the "Moray Firth" bottlenose dolphin population is now regularly seen off Aberdeen and St Andrews and is known to have an extensive range around the coast as far as England.