A ‘robust increase in enforcement’ has been demanded after it emerged that only three people have been prosecuted for offences involving a jetski under Loch Lomond byelaws in the past 21 years.
MSP Jackie Baillie recently received a response from the previous Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Keith Brown, after asking how many prosecutions had been brought against jetski owners for infringements on Loch Lomond since the national park was established.
She had asked an identical question 18 months earlier and received the same response, showing that there have been no further prosecutions in the intervening period.
This comes after Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority Board met earlier this year to discuss a review of their byelaws following a period of consultation.
The board approved the proposed byelaw changes which will now be sent to the Scottish Government.
Residents and stakeholders have the opportunity to raise any concerns or make comment directly to Scottish Government Ministers during this current phase of consultation which lasts until June 8.
The national park plans to introduce a low speed activity zone, a Loch Lomond user registration scheme and measures which will make vessel owners responsible for offences committed by young people.
But the Dumbarton constituency MSP is concerned that there will be no effect with the changes if they are not met with a significant increase in enforcement, particularly following the most recent figures showing a lack of prosecutions.
She says that communities around the loch have been ‘tormented’ by irresponsible jetski users buzzing close to the shore and at high speeds, with many witnessing near-misses involving swimmers and other loch users.
During the late May bank holiday weekend, residents in lochside communities reported an influx of jetski users and concern for others who were in the water as a result of the behaviour of some jetskiers.
Ms Baillie said: “I welcome efforts to strengthen the law which aims to keep loch users safe and protect the environment and communities within this area and I am grateful to everyone who responded to the consultation.
“I am disappointed though that this looks like a missed opportunity to properly deal with the problems on Loch Lomond.
“I firmly believe that the proposals which will now be sent to the Scottish Government will not address the chaos we have seen in recent years, unless there is a significant rise in the number of rangers patrolling the loch, who have the powers to enforce the byelaws.
“To find out that nothing has changed in the last 18 months and that there have only been three prosecutions relating to jetski use in the 21 years which Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park has existed is astonishing.
“With this level of enforcement, it is little wonder that jetskiers intent on being reckless are coming here in their droves.”
Ms Baillie met the minister responsible for national parks, Lorna Slater, last September along with the then Luss and Arden Community Council Convener and representatives from Luss Estates, who laid bare the problems faced in lochside villages, particularly during spells of good weather.
They told how residents in Luss were completely fed up with jetskiers running amok while the enforcement boat was barely seen in the area and, if rangers arrived or police made their way to the scene, the perpetrators had already left.
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