PUPILS in Gwynedd are being invited to design a logo which will become the official branding of a campaign to promote the safe and responsible use of boats and jet-skis around marine wildlife.

Operation Neptune is a joint collaboration between Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts, Gwynedd Council and North Wales Police Rural Crime team.

Mrs Saville Roberts recently launched the initiative with year seven pupils at Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn and was also joined by Aberdyfi councillor, Dewi Owen and from North Wales Police.

The logo-designing competition is open to all year seven pupils at Gwynedd’s coastal secondary schools which include Ysgol Tywyn, Ysgol Ardudwy, Ysgol Eifionydd, Ysgol Glan y Môr and Ysgol Botwnnog. The design should include a dolphin character and a punchy strap line encouraging people to comply with the marine code.

Operation Neptune was formally launched earlier this year in Abersoch, following several reports of people herding and frightening dolphins off the coast of Tywyn and the Llyn Peninsula.

Mrs Saville Roberts said: “I’m pleased that local schools in Dwyfor Meirionnydd have been brought on-board with this campaign, which brings together partner organisations to promote the responsible use of sea craft on our spectacular coastline. It’s fitting that the logo designing competition is being launched in Tywyn, as it is here where the harassment and herding of dolphins by jet-skiers was first brought to my attention earlier this year."

Rob Taylor, North Wales Police rural crime team manager, said he welcomed the initiative to warn jet skiers of the risks of inappropriate use of their crafts.

Read the full story in this week’s north editions of the Cambrian News, in shops now