Anger as experts hit out at jet skiers who threaten wildlife at Edinburgh's Wardie Bay

Noise pollution from the machines can have a “knock-on effect” on marine animals.

Marine wildlife experts have reacted with frustration to reports of jet skis being used in Edinburgh’s Wardie Bay.

The bay, in Granton, is home to a wide range of wildlife, including bats, crabs, seals, and a variety of bird species.

But some people have mounted jet skis in the bay’s waters during the recent spell of hot weather, prompting complaints from local conservation experts.

“We heard them from nearly two kilometres away,” said Dr Mark Hartl, a marine biologist with Heriot-Watt University, who saw jet skis in the bay on Wednesday and Friday last week.

“Seals come and haul out here and, whilst they are accustomed to the hum of the city, jet skis are much louder.

“We are particularly interested in protecting Wardie Bay not just as a place of recreation, but also for its wildlife and wealth of marine biodiversity.

“Noise pollution is a very much underrated problem, because it causes stress, and that has a knock-on effect on how animals respond to pollution and disease,” he added.

Marine wildlife experts have reacted with frustration to reports of jet skis being used in Wardie Bay, Granton. (Credit: Dr Mark Hartl)

The presence of jet skis also raised concerns over the safety of swimmers in the bay.

Dr Hartl said he was also worried because “there were several people swimming, and the jet skis were coming quite close to the shore at the Wardie end of the bay where the beach is.”

But he cast doubt on the widespread rumour that jet skis may have killed a seal which washed up on the beach last week.

“People are speculating about a link, but I'm not sure there is any evidence, and it's unlikely a jet ski is to blame,” he said.

The real risks posed by the machines are to the bay’s wildlife, insisted Karen Bates, who runs Wardie Bay Beachwatch.

“On Monday they were racing at low tide over our Kelp and rocks,” she said.

“There are many amazing species under there, and dozens of wild swimmers going far out into the sea. The noise pollution affects everyone.

“I'm utterly amazed, having had numerous conversations apparently with the police, that they are not being restricted.”

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said the force had not yet received any complaints about jet skiers in the bay.

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