A pair of people on a jet ski was recently documented harassing a pod of dolphins by driving by them in Victoria.
Marine photographer, Jessica Beckham, recently documented two people on a jet ski driving through a pod of dolphins in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Beckham posted the video on their Instagram with this caption:
“TODAY. PLEASE SHARE. I’ve spent over twenty years out on Port Phillip Bay and this problem is not getting any better it is a hundred times worse and absolutely nothing is being done. These guys on their jetski were relentless this afternoon driving back and forth over dolphins. Please ring and report this behaviour to @deeca_vic 136186 and to the Water Police 03 9399 7500.
There were a number of recreational boats present that were great and kept there 100m distance. Jetskiis must remain 300m away from dolphins. The speed and erratic behaviour of jetskiis on this stretch of beach which is so important to these critically endangered dolphins is outrageous. When will @deeca_vic do something to protect our marine wildlife? We have regulations in place to protect our marine wildlife but who is enforcing it?”
People in Beckham’s comments shared similar accounts. Beckham asked if viewers of the video could help in reported the jet ski riders to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).
“I see this all too often. Confiscate the JetSki and ban these people from holding a license ever again.”
“These riders are breaking the law and a danger to beachgoers. This has been the worst I’ve witnessed in 30 years,” one person said.
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“They look like they don’t even know what they are doing is wrong … it’s too easy to get a boat/jet ski licence.”
In a statement to NCA NewsWire, DEECA urged people to report wildlife crime and said this:
“If a dolphin approaches a boat or jet ski, slow down or stop the vessel and let the dolphins move on,” DEECA said in the statement.
DEECA acting chief conservation regulator Callie Donaldson said harassing wildlife was unacceptable.
“Harassing dolphins and other wildlife is cruel and unacceptable, and we urge the public to report this behaviour to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” DEECA conservation regulator Callie Donaldson said.
“Small changes to your behaviour can make a big difference to wildlife welfare. Our patrols are focusing on engaging with the public to make sure they know the rules, and anyone caught doing the wrong thing is held accountable.”
“We’re lucky to have iconic wildlife species living along the coast and we want beachgoers to safely share the beach with them.”
