Thought for the week
DOLPHIN-SPOTTERS are being warned they face a police investigation if they disturb the animals.
North Wales Police’s Rural Crime Team has warned wildlife fans to keep their distance if they are heading out to look for the protected animals off the coast of the region.
Dolphins are a common sight off the coast of North Wales, with people regularly heading out on boats and jet-skis to take a closer look at the creatures.
But it has caused concern among some people, sparking the police warning.
On Twitter, the unit said: “Concerns have been raised ‘I WILL be tolerant with you as long as you agree with me’. That does not sound quite right, but it is the approach taken by many. I wonder if you agree.
As I write it is the day proclaimed by the United Nations as ‘International Day for Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence based on Religion or Belief.’ This has come about because of the attack on Muslims at worship in Christchurch, New Zealand, that dolphins are being deliberately harassed by boats.
“Reminder – this behaviour is unlawful and we will investigate any reports.”
It comes after a debate was started on Facebook when a member of a local spotting group raised concerns about the methods in which people were heading out to look at the animals. In a post, he said: “Was very disappointed seeing all the private boats and jet skis harassing and chasing the dolphins in the [Menai] Strait. The commercial boats were respectable and the attacks on Christians at worship in Sri Lanka on Easter Day.
It will be interesting to know how widely it will be observed.
While most people of goodwill will be appalled by any act of violence, there will be those who will be glad that it happened. I ask myself why some groups add the word ‘phobia’ to whatever their cause is, to put emotional pressure on those who might disagree and kept their distance. Dolphins and porpoises are protected species and, if caught, law-breakers face fines of £5,000 for disturbing each animal and/or six months jail.” The post sparked fierce with them and even have such views promoted with all the skills of marketing.
Instead of ‘agreeing to disagree’, which we have to do on many things, to say those who disagree are guilty of ’whatever’phobia’. We hear ‘Islamophobia’ but I have yet to hear the word ‘Christianophobia’, but logically there should be.
When I was a small child and quarrelled with my siblings, my debate, with many stating jetskiers were not approaching the animals and dolphins often came towards the boats and swam alongside in a playful manner. father used to say, ’Little birds in their nests should agree’, and if we didn’t there would be trouble. It was sufficient for him to say in a strong voice, ‘little birds!’ for us to be quiet. May the day ‘Commemorating the Victims of Acts of violence based on Religion and Belief’ raise awareness and spur us all on to be genuinely tolerant of those with whom we profoundly disagree.
Rev Peter Marshall