![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/jetski-660x381.jpg\" "\\"jetski\\"")
Jet skiing at Pegwell Bay nature reserve (Image KWT)<\/p>\nJet skiing at Pegwell Bay nature reserve (Image KWT)<\/p>\n
Kent Wildlife Trust is appealing to people to report instances of wildlife disturbance, after concerns were raised over video of jetskiers close to Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve.<\/p>\n
However, riders have pointed out that personal watercrafts are permitted to travel in and out of the River Stour as long as certain rules are adhered to, such as lowering speeds and avoiding particularly sensitive areas.<\/p>\n
Disturbances can cause birds to abandon their nests and seals can also react. What may appear to be normal behaviour, like getting in and out of the sea, can have a significant impact on the marine mammal, causing them to struggle to put on weight or feed their pups.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/08-Credit-John-Wilson.jpg\")
Photo John Wilson<\/p>\n
Repeated disturbance may result in injury from stampeding, they may gash their bellies on sharp rocks, tear their skin on sand or rip out their claws.<\/p>\n
Personal watercrafts are permitted to travel in and out of the River Stour and fuller video footage shows the riders moving slowly through the reserve area and that they are within the the marker buoys of a designated waterway coming out of the river mouth.<\/p>\n
Users are required to avoid the inter-tidal areas, mudflats and salt marsh, keep speeds under 8 knots within 300-400m of the shore and avoid designated prohibited wildlife areas.<\/p>\n
Riders who see seals, particularly around the sandbanks at Pegwell Bay, are required to slow down to a \u201cno-wake\u201d speed of under 5 knots and maintain a wide distance to prevent abandonment of pups or injury.<\/p>\n
Kent Wildlife Trust says: \u201cThis special place is home to sensitive bird species and a locally important harbour seal population.<\/p>\n
\u201cDisturbance from recreational watercraft, including jet skis, is an ongoing concern, especially during crucial periods like shore-nesting season. Even brief disruption can cause birds to abandon nests or seals to flee, putting their survival at risk.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnder the Thanet Beaches and Coast Public Spaces Protection Order, disturbing wildlife is an offence. If you witness wildlife disturbance, please report it.\u201d<\/p>\n