Flamborough Head European Marine Site Management Scheme - 'Skis and Seabirds' information event

Personal watercraft (Jet-Ski) users are being invited to find out more about the amazing wildlife which visits the Yorkshire coastline over the summer months at a free information event. 

Recent counts indicate that over 300,000 seabirds breed along the cliffs of Flamborough and Filey, between March and September every year. They are joined in the sea below by dolphins, seals, porpoises and even whales, making the Yorkshire coast one of the most important areas for mobile marine species in the UK. 

Personal watercraft users will have the opportunity to hear about how the seabirds use every available nook, cranny and ledge on the cliffs to raise their young and how state-of-the-art technology is helping to uncover the secrets of their success.

Attendees will also discover more about the challenges faced by the colony, from climate change and marine litter to offshore developments and human disturbance. Individuals will be encouraged to understand how, by following the voluntary code of conduct for personal watercraft around Flamborough and Filey, they can reduce any impact they might be having on this highly sensitive site.   

Jeremy Pickles, chair of the Flamborough Head European Marine Site Management Scheme that is coordinating the event, said: “Personal watercraft users and launch site operators are invited to come along and learn more about what makes our coastline special and how they can help to look after it for future generations. 

“We have experienced some issues in the past with personal watercraft users travelling too fast around the protected area; however we hope that attendees will share our positivity for the coming season and work with us to ensure that the voluntary code of conduct is respected by all users.”   

The Skis and Seabirds event will be held at Fosse Hill Jet Ski Lake, near Brandesburton, on Saturday, 28 April, starting at 3pm. There’s no need to book, just turn up on the day.