A jet ski rider’s shocking act with a pod of dolphins could land him in jail if authorities catch up with him.

The rider appears to be charging through the large pod in footage captured off South Australia’s Brighton Beach, about 45 minutes southwest of Adelaide CBD, on Sunday.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Investigation into man on jet ski running through a dolphin pod.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

Shocked and angry beachgoers reported the disturbing incident to South Australia Police and the Department Environment and Water (DEW) which is now investigating.

Jet skis are not allowed to ride within 300m of marine animals.

“It is a concern if we see them at what appears to be a lot closer than that,” DEW spokesperson Lisien Loan said.

“Maximum penalties under the Parks and Wildlife Act for interfering with a marine mammal are $100,000 or two years imprisonment.”

A second rider captured in the footage also appears to be unacceptably close to the dolphins.

While boats and kayaks can get as close as 50m from sea mammals, different rules apply to the far more “disruptive” jet skis.

“Jet skis are loud and have erratic movement and that can disturb the dolphins,” Loan said.

“If they’re moving as a group in a pod, and enjoying each other’s company, or fishing or resting, then that interaction would disturb them.

“What we’re really wanting is for people to observe our wild animals in the wild and behaving normally.

“If a marine mammal approaches you if you’re in a kayak or a boat, that’s fine, but it’s really about not approaching them and not disturbing their normal behaviour or interfering with them.”

It comes as an algal bloom crisis gripping the state has killed tens of thousands of marine animals since March, with Environment Minister Murray Watt apologising on Monday for the “too slow” federal response.

Loan said the algae crisis was another reason to be careful around marine animals which are already facing challenging conditions.

“It’s really important, particularly at the moment with some of the other impacts on our marine environment, that we look after them and give them the best chance to lead their best lives,” Loan said.

She urged beachgoers to be aware of their obligations in the water.