Dozens of swimmers accused of harassing pod of dolphins in Hawaiian waters

HONOLULU (Eagle News) – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), together with the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), have launched a joint investigation against 33 people who have been accused of pursuing and harassing a pod of dolphins in Hōnaunau Bay on the western side of Big Island on Sunday, March 26.

Drone footage show swimmers pursuing a pod of dolphins in the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii. Federal law prohibits anyone from swimming with, approaching, or remaining within 50 yards (46 meters) of spinner dolphins. (Photo courtesy Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources)

According to drone video and photographs, a group of swimmers appeared to be aggressively following and corralling the pod.

State enforcers alerted the group of swimmers in the water and informed them of the violation. The swimmers were then met by uniformed officers on land.

Under the Joint Enforcement Agreement with the DLNR, State officers are deputized as federal agents and are therefore authorized to enforce federal marine laws, such as the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

In Hawaii, federal law prohibits anyone from swimming with, approaching, or remaining within 50 yards (46 meters) of spinner dolphins, seals, sea lions, and sea turtles.

Cases like these will be referred to NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) for further review and final disposition.

Federal and state officials gather the group of swimmers to informed them of the violation of harassing marine mammals such as dolphins in Hawaiian waters. (Photo courtesy Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources)

(Alfred Acenas, Hawaii-Pacific Bureau, Eagle News Service)