Yachtsmen are being trained in how to ‘behave’ when they come across ocean wild life while on passage and will get ‘eco passports’ if they are successful.

The idea is to stop speed boats carving through areas where basking sharks are ‘breaching’ or where dolphins are at play. But also boaters are being advised on how to deal with anchorages close to colonies of breeding birds.

The courses are being run in Cornwall, Devon and Dorset, but if successful will be expanded around the coast by English Nature. For more information look at their website: www.english-nature.org.uk