Jetskiers caught on video doing doughnuts in Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary

DOLPHIN conservationists are calling on the State Government to crack down on hoons after footage emerged of jetskiers zooming around the protected Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary.

DOLPHIN conservationists are calling on the State Government to crack down on hoons after footage emerged of jetskiers zooming around the protected Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary.

Jenni Wyrsta, from the Port River Dolphin Watch group, filmed people on jet skis doing doughnuts in the sanctuary at Garden Island last week.

She said despite reporting it several times to rangers it was an ongoing issue which put the dolphins and other river users at risk.

“Some jetskiers intimidate people and are reckless — it is just a matter of time before there is an accident,” Ms Wyrsta said.

“There have been times where I have seen up to seven people on jet skies and they zigzag all around the river and any dolphin who wants to come through the area has no room.

“If we can’t ban them ... it would be a wonderful thing if it could come into law that when jet skis launch from the boat ramp at Garden Island that they just go straight out, they don’t do any of this doughnuting or zigzagging business.”

Ms Wyrsta said there needed to be rangers monitoring the sanctuary on weekends.

“There is not enough of the law enforcement people out there,” she said.

A Port River dolphin. Picture: Oliver Wieczorek

Adelaide dolphin expert Mike Bossley said it was crucial that speed limits in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctury were adhered to.

“People who violate boat speed rules have the potential to injure dolphins,” Mr Bossley said.

Mr Bossley was a key figure in the creation of the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary in 2005.

The 118sq km area covers the inner Port, Outer Harbor, the North Haven marina and stretches north to Port Gawler.

The speed limit around Garden Island is seven knots — which drops to four knots (7km/h) within 200m of a moored vessel — and people on jet skis are required to stay at least 300m away from dolphins.

Local MP Susan Close said the “same stupid mentality” that saw some people be menaces on the road “unfortunately crossed over” with some river users.

“I call on people who see inappropriate behaviour, especially that which is potentially dangerous for dolphins, to report the perpetrators to police,” Dr Close said.

The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources has been approached for comment.