A Possible condemnation

DONNA NOOK SEALS

Pros flout seal warnings, Donna Nook photography ban possible


"More formal controls" may be needed to protect seals at the Donna Nook colony, where professional photographers leading photo workshop groups are among those ignoring requests from wardens not to shoot on the beach, the head of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has revealed.

Speaking to PhotoRadar, the Trust's Chief Executive Paul Learoyd said that 500 people this year have ignored the Trust's request not to go beyond the fence and photograph seals on the beach at Donna Nook's outer colony.

"This figure is a disappointment but a great improvement on last year," he told us. "Many of these people were attending paid workshop group visits with professional photographers."

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Read more: http://www.photoradar.com/news/story/pros-flout-seal-warnings-donna-nook-photogr...#ixzz1AMrE2LXq

I can understand the temptation! But if it's causing harm it seems very irresponsible for photo workshop groups to go out there against official advice. Maybe the LWT ought to harness the interest in the seals and lead very carefully managed tours of their own, ensuring that a respectful distance is kept.

For those using Dona Nook for their business (paid workshops) should have to be aproved by the managers of the park to perform their work. Maybe this would entail passing a training phase where some guidelines on behaviour that is considered safe in the park. These could get on the beach closer to the animals, but still observing behaviour that is not disruptive.

Maybe also implement restrictions on group dimensions (however their nature).

I hope they do not enforce a general prohibition.