Sea Kayaking - A Guide To Good Environmental Practice

Sea Kayaking is one of the least obtrusive ways to enter the coastal environment and
from which to see seabirds, seals, and even larger marine animals such as Basking Shark,
Whales and Dolphins in their natural environment. As Sea kayakers we are privileged to be able
to experience the nature of the sea & coastal environment at such close quarters but we also
carry a responsibility towards the environment within which we paddle.
Our very presence within the wild environment immediately brings with it change, we are
as a species always pushing the boundaries of our existence and so we continuously squeeze
the wild areas and those other species which exist there. Therefore even though we may not
leave any visible signs of our presence as Sea Kayakers – we are still encroaching on the bird &
marine animal habitat in a way which changes their behavior & characteristics over time.
This set of guidelines are there to help you understand the environment within which you
are paddling a little better so that you and others which come after you can continue to enjoy the
wild environment and help to preserve it’s special qualities.

Kayaking in Context.
The impact that sea kayakers have on the sea has to be seen in context. The disturbance we
cause is minimal, but we should not be complacent. We should all strive to learn more about the
sea, and develop skills and senses that ensure the natural heritage of the sea does not suffer
from our visits. The bird breeding season and the best kayaking weather usually coincide, so it
is important that we are aware of the needs of wildlife. This leaflet is not trying to change the
times of year when we paddle, instead it is trying to raise the level of awareness of the natural
heritage amongst sea paddlers.
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 Before you get on the water.

o Check if access to the water & any planned landing places is permitted.
Especially check access to any “Special protected Areas” or Special Areas of
Conservation” managed by the National Parks & Wildlife Service www.npws.ie
o Check if the area you wish to visit is a nesting or breeding ground and if you are
likely to unduly disturb the wildlife at a sensitive period in their year.
o Park appropriately avoid blocking gateways,
slipways etc especially where larger groups
are concerned. Consider Car Pooling and also
dropping off your kayak and parking at a
suitable area nearby

o Ensure you have the skills and equipment needed for your planned paddle and to
cope with emergencies that could arise.
o Check the weather forecast and
always be prepared for
changing weather conditions.
o Leave a route plan with a Shore
party.
o Inform the Coastguard by
telephone or VHF of your “TR”
Traffic Route giving Launch &
Landing points, Route outline
and expected return time/date.
o For environmental and safety reasons, and to minimise your impact on other
users, keep group numbers small; split larger parties into smaller groups.
o Take care not to damage property, especially walls, fences and crops.
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 Journeying by Sea Kayak.
Whilst we travel by sea kayak – we enter the habitat of
seabirds & other marine wildlife. In our enthusiasm to see the
wildlife, we can accidentally cause disturbance without
realising it. A good way to minimise our impact on the sea is
to learn more about it. For instance, a knowledge of the
breeding seasons of birds and seals will help us to avoid
getting too close when they are most sensitive to our
presence. This guide is aimed at providing some of that
knowledge.

Kayak set-up & arrangements

o Make sure there are no objects on your deck which can come loose and float
away – such as Waterbottles, Maps etc.
o If you carry food – minimize the possibility of packaging flying away in the wind
o Use a tie on for your hat.
Fact : Decomposition times in the wild for
Nylon Fabric.....................................................30 to 40 years
Leather..............................................................1 to 5 years
Wool Hat…........................................................1 to 5 years
If you find plastic in the water – pick it out, stow it carefully and place it in a
recycle receptacle. You might have just saved some innocent Leatherback
Turtle from a nasty death as they often mistake plastic bags for jelly fish.
On the water:-
o Make yourself aware of the breeding
seasons of birds and seals.
(See table below)
o Try to avoid panicking breeding seabirds
into flight.
o When leading a group of paddlers, brief
your group on the procedures you plan to
use to avoid disturbing wildlife if/when it is
encountered.

This guide is to give you a rough estimate as to when you can expect wildlife to be at a delicate
stage of their annual cycle.
Sensitive periods for Birds & Animals Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Nesting Seacliff Birds X X X

Shingle Nesting Birds X X X
Wintering Wildfowl X X X X X X
Grey Seal X X
Common Seal X X X
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 Sea cliffs
Cliff nesting seabirds such as guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes are most vulnerable when the
adults are with their eggs and young chicks. If they are suddenly scared off the ledges they may
lose their young, which may fall or be taken by predators. The vulnerable time is mid May to
early July. Move by quietly and steadily so as not to panic the birds. Puffins nest in burrows
along the tops of cliffs. Walking over a burrow can crush the nest, or cause the adult to desert
its young, so try to be aware of their presence.

Some commonly encountered birds around our coast line :-

Gannet Puffin Fulmar Kittiwake

Manx Shearwater Razorbill Guillemot Great Black

Backed Gull

Shingle Shores
Terns, ringed plovers and oystercatchers all nest on shingle beaches. Care should be taken not
to disturb nesting birds on these sites between early May and early July. The eggs and chicks
are very well camouflaged against the shingle and are easily trodden underfoot.

Sand dunes
Take care during stops not to damage vegetation, which is important for stabilising dunes and
helping them grow. Avoid open fires, which damage the dry vegetation. The western shores of
Ireland have a unique dune grassland known as “machair” which is home to wading birds such
as Lapwing, Ringed Plover and Dunlin.
Estuaries
Ireland's estuaries play host to waders and waterfowl between October and March. Undisturbed
feeding and resting may be vital to their survival during the depth of winter. Avoid mudflats and
sandbanks with large concentrations of birds.

Ringed Plover Oystercatcher(s) Curlew Roseate Tern

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 Seal colonies
There are two species of seal in Ireland, the common seal and the grey seal.
The “Common Seal” has a small concave nose (like a Labrador) and pups from May to July.
The “Grey Seal “ has a large ‘Roman’ nose and pups in October and November, and is the
larger and more common species. Avoid beaches with small pups on them, as a sudden
disturbance can lead to pups being squashed in the panic, or separated from their
parents who may be unable to find them afterwards. Grey seals remain on the beach with their
pups for about 3 weeks, whereas common seals go into the sea almost immediately.

Common Seal Grey Seal

Open sea
In summer, you may encounter large rafts of duck chicks, mainly of eider or shelduck,
accompanied by adult birds. Try to avoid splitting up these rafts as the chicks are vulnerable to
predators if they become separated. In late summer they moult and are at their weakest and
most vulnerable.

Barnacle Goose Shelduck Greenland Shelduck

White Fronted
Goose
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 Cetaceans & Sharks.

Commonly sighted off the East Coast of Ireland.

Atlantic White Sided Dolphin Harbour or Common Porpoise Risso’s Dolphin

Dolphins – As with seals some are tame some are not – They are wild animals and their status as
such should be respected.

Commonly sighted off the South & West Coasts.

Basking Sharks are often sighted in the coastal waters of Ireland. Their large dorsal fin with
following tail weaving a zig zag pattern on the surface.

Humpback Whales Fin Whale Minke Whale

Whales not many of us have encountered these giants of the deep from report of encounters
best advice is again watch at a safe distance – Do not disturb the POD as they will protect
their young if they perceive you as a threat. If you are lucky enough to have an encounter
please watch from a safe distance and do not disturb.
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 Special Protected Areas

These are areas designated by the National

Parks & Wildlife Service which provide special
habitats for Irelands Flora & Fauna. Full
details of their locations can be found on the
website www.npws.ie
This website also gives excellent background
information on the wildlife / birdlife / plantlife in
each SPA and is well worth checking out.

See : http://skelligsrock.com/wildlife.htm Little Skellig

Home to Irelands Largest Gannet Colony with
20,000 pairs nesting annually.

The following are examples of popular Kayaking areas which are listed by the Irish National
Parks & Wildlife Service as being “Specially Protected Areas”

Dublin
 Skerries Islands.
 Ireland’s Eye.
 Lambay Island. (Private)
 Dalkey Island(s).

Wexford
 Saltee Islands.

Kerry
 Skelligs Rocks.

The full listings are available from the website of the Irish National Parks & Wildlife Service :
www.npws.ie
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Great Black backed chick & cluster of eggs.

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 Camping from your Kayak

There is no doubt that camping from your Kayak is one of the

most pleasurable experiences for Sea Kayakers.
It is the one activity with which we have most impact on the
environment yet with a little care, attention to detail and
some effort we can leave a wild campsite as pristine as it was
when we found it.

The following are extracts from

Leave No Trace Ireland – which general principles fit quite well with our ethos. Some small additional
info as far as camping on the Sea Shore has been added.

Travel and Camp on Durable Ground

 Durable ground includes established tracks and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
 In popular areas:
 Where possible use pre-existing campsites.
 In wild areas locate your campsite on durable ground such as Gravel, Dry Grasses, Rock, Sand.
 To avoid further erosion, travel in single file in the middle of the track even when wet or muddy.
 In more remote areas:
 Disperse use to prevent the creation of new tracks and campsites.
 Avoid places where impacts are just beginning to show.
If camping:
 Protect water quality by camping at least 30m from lakes and streams.
 Keep campsites small and discreet.
 Aim to leave your campsite as you found it, or better.
 Be careful in your toilet hygiene. Do not urinate within 30 metres of fresh water, and carry a
trowel / folding shovel & dig a hole to bury your excrement.

 Try to leave the countryside tidier than you found it.

 Enjoy the outdoor environment, and ensure that your actions do not detract from the
enjoyment of those who follow you.
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 Leave What You Find
 Respect property. For example, farming or forestry machinery, fences, stone walls etc. Leave
gates as you find them (open or closed).
 Preserve the past:
examine - without
damaging -
archaeological structures,
old walls and heritage
artefacts e.g. holy wells,
mine workings,
monuments.

 Conserve the present: leave rocks, flowers, plants, animals and all natural habitats as you find
them. Fallen trees are a valuable wildlife habitat; do not remove or use for firewood.
 Avoid introducing non-native plants and animals e.g. zebra mussels in rivers and lakes.
 Do not build rock cairns, structures or shelters
Dispose of Waste Properly
 "If You Bring It In, Take It Out" - take home all litter and leftover food (including tea bags, fruit
peels and other biodegradable foods).
 Avoid bringing plastic bags and plastic can rings – if they are caught by the wind they will end up
in the sea and are a hazard to marine life.
 To dispose of solid human waste, dig a hole 15-20cms deep and at least 30m from water,
campsites and tracks. Cover and disguise the hole when finished.
 In remote areas going to toilet below the HW mark is possible although your “dirt” will end up in
the sea. This is only desirable with small groups in areas that are infrequently visited.
 Bring home toilet paper and hygiene products, alternatively burn toilet paper if safe to do so.
 Alternative to Toilet paper – The “Thalassa Treatment “ – use Seaweed.
 Wash yourself or your dishes 30m away from streams or lakes and if necessary use small
amounts of biodegradable soap. Bring home any solids and scatter strained dishwater.
 For more information on sanitation see www.leavenotraceireland.com and read their "Where
to go in the outdoors" leaflet
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 Minimise the Effects of Fire
 Fires can cause lasting impacts and be devastating to forests, natural habitats and farmland.
Therefore when camping use a lightweight stove for cooking, Kelly kettle, firebox.
 Where fires are permitted: Use established fire rings, barbecues or create a mound fire.
 On remote beaches / shorelines - locate your fire in an area below the High Water mark where
the scorch marks will not be visible for any length of time and scatter any stones gathered to
contain your fire.
 Keep fires small. Only use driftwood or sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. Do
not use growing vegetation for use as firewood.
 Avoid burning plastics or other substances: which emit toxic fumes. Also including Aluminium /
Metal Cans
 Burn all fires to ash, put out fires completely, and then scatter cool ashes.

Think about your actions on land as well as on the sea.

 Be aware of puffin burrows, and avoid getting too close or walking over them.
 Never land on a beach with a colony of breeding seals, except in an emergency.
 On sand dunes and machair, always look and listen for birds.
 Carry kayaks rather than dragging.
 No wash-up liquids – use only Seawater & Sand.
 Avoid Glass Jars & Containers if possible.
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 FOR EXTRA INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES :

 LEAVE NO TRACE IRELAND http://www.leavenotraceireland.org/

 NATIONAL PARKS & WILDLIFE SERVICE : http://www.npws.ie/

 BIRDWATCH IRELAND : http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/

 IRISH WHALE & DOLPHIN GROUP: www.iwdg.ie

 The Basking Shark Project : http://www.baskingshark.ie/

 THE HERITAGE COUNCIL : http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/home/

 The IRISH SEAL SANCTUARY : http://www.irishsealsanctuary.ie/

 The EcoJel Project : http://www.jellyfish.ie/index.asp

 Tollymore Mountain Centre : http://www.tollymore.com/

 The WISE project : http://www.wisescheme.org/

 Sherkin Island Marine Station : http://www.sherkinmarine.ie/conferences.htm

 Scottish Canoe Association : http://www.canoescotland.com/

From whom we cadged the initial environmental guidelines and developed our own from there.
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 It is intended that these
guidelines be posted to the
ISKA website in the near
future.
If you have some expertise in
any related area and you
think this could help Sea
Kayakers in Ireland
To protect & preserve the
coastal environment then
please contact the
undersigned who will be
happy to add your information
to our guidelines.

Alan Horner - March 2010.

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