Jet skiers caught on video ‘chasing down’ dolphins in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne
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Water skiers come under fire after a horrified witness films them ‘chasing’ dolphins on a popular beach: ‘Absolutely disgusting’
- A couple on a jet ski were filmed breaking the rules by driving too close to the dolphins
- The men were photographed in Port Phillip Bay on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula.
- Social media criticized the ‘entitled’ couple accusing them of not driving properly
Two jet ski riders have been vilified after they appeared to drive ‘back and forth’ right next to dolphins, flouting environmental laws that protect vulnerable species.
The vision of the men, which showed them riding two meters from the marine mammals in Port Phillip Bay on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula, was posted on social media this week.
Jet skis are supposed to keep a distance of 300 meters from marine mammals, according to Victoria’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).
Social media commenters slammed the act as “absolutely disgusting” but said they had seen similar behavior in the bay before. ‘where boats repeatedly chase dolphins’.
The sight of men driving two meters of the marine mammals (pictured) in Port Phillip Bay on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula was posted on social media this week.
Photographer Jessica Beckham took the video showing a tattooed man driving a black and yellow jet ski with a bearded man behind as they awkwardly navigated the waters.
The ‘erratic’ driver was seen stopping and starting the vessel, as well as accelerating without looking where he was going.
Dolphins were seen leaping out of the water just in front of the pair as they made their way through the waves, pointing out marine mammals a short distance around them.
Ms Beckham said she has spent more than 20 years in the Bay Area and has seen “absolutely nothing” being done to enforce rules to protect wildlife.
“These guys on their jet ski were relentless this afternoon driving back and forth on dolphins,” said Ms Beckham.
“The speed and erratic behavior of the jet skis on this stretch of beach, which is so important to these critically endangered dolphins, is outrageous.
‘This problem is not getting better, it is a hundred times worse and absolutely nothing is being done.
‘When will @deeca_vic do something to protect our marine fauna? We have regulations to protect our marine wildlife, but who enforces them?’
‘When will @deeca_vic do something to protect our marine fauna? We have regulations to protect our marine wildlife, but who enforces them?’ (pictured a beach on the Mornington Peninsula in Flinders)
Social media went ablaze calling jet ski users ‘entitled’ and coming up with creative ways to keep troublemakers out.
“Absolutely disgusting,” wrote one commenter, while another noted that the men needed more training in the waters.
“They seem like they don’t even know what they’re doing is wrong, it’s too easy to get a boat/jet ski license.”
“Every summer I contemplate how to bring more sharks to shore to help deal with this problem,” another quipped.
“A few shark sightings could keep them out of the water and locals could enjoy peace and quiet again.”
DEECA was contacted by Daily Mail Australia for comment.
Commenters called for jet skis to be banned from the bay