All relevant sports agencies and Government bodies advocate a number of principles for coastal management, which include access for everyone, sustainability, stakeholder participation and integrated coastal zone management.

These principles follow the Government’s agenda, and local and harbour authorities should be taking a strategic approach to management of personal watercraft, and not simply responding to conflicts and issues as they arise. There are a number of guiding principles identified below to bear in mind when designing a scheme for planning and management of personal watercraft.

i. Sustainable use: including the provision of access and management of recreational access and opportunities for water sports whilst ensuring long-term conservation of the natural environment.

ii. Open and objective planning process: management statements should be derived from a sound and objective understanding of local circumstances, developed in partnership with interested parties. Stakeholder cooperation and involvement is required for regulating bodies, local residents, water users and other interested parties.

iii. Safety: management arrangements should provide for, enhance and ensure safety of watersports participant and all other users.

iv. Watersports and access for all: opportunities should be available to all members of the community, not just those who are physically able or economically advantaged. Opportunities should also be available for all levels of watersports, in particular the entry level sports which include personal watercraft.

v. Consideration of wider contexts: proposed restrictions at one site should take account of the potential displacement of activities to other areas, which may not be managed effectively and may be environmentally sensitive.

vi. Fit for purpose: often simple, informal arrangements will be sufficient and voluntary schemes do work in many areas. Management plans should be suited to local circumstances, they should not impose excessive restrictions, but apply a proportional response; for example, restrictions may only be required at peak periods and specific locations.

Compoments of a Management Scheme

Development of a strategy to manage personal watercraft should be carried out preferably prior to any conflicts arising. However management is very often responsive and has been the result of objections and conflicts between other users or local residents. All too often this has resulted in an overreaction and a total ban of personal watercraft use.

The main steps to consider when establishing a management scheme are as follows: