State seeks larger zone for ban on swimming with dolphins
The state wants to expand the proposed ban on swimming with dolphins to 200 miles from shore.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration this week proposed a rule which would prohibit approaching a Hawaiian spinner dolphin within two nautical miles.
The ban would include commercial swim-with-dolphins programs.
However, Bruce Anderson, administrator of the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources, said: “We believe NOAA’s preferred option is reasonable. Two of the five initial alternatives involved closing off entire areas designated as essential daytime habitats. We felt that was going a little too far, but we can support approach rules and eliminating swim-with-dolphins activities.”
“The proposed regulations would be in effect within two nautical miles of the main Hawaiian Islands, and within certain designated waters between Maui, Lanai, and Kahoolawe. We will recommend NOAA expand that beyond two miles, all the way out to the limit of the Exclusive Economic Zone, which is 200 miles from shore. We don’t see a rationale for a two-mile limit.”
Public hearings on NOAA’s proposed regulations will be held next month with a final decision expected next year.
Public comment period for the proposed rule ends Oct. 23.
The National Marine Fisheries Service says spinner dolphins are being deprived of rest during the day and becoming stressed out.
Commercial tour operators oppose the ban because it would cover waters out to two nautical miles, which is where 98 percent of Hawaii’s spinner dolphins rest after they’ve spent the night feeding and where dolphin tour excursions occur.
Ann Garrett, assistant regional administrator of the National Marine Fisheries Service’s protected-resources division for the Pacific Islands, told the Associated Press that dolphins have been found to be burning calories at a higher rate because they are forced to be vigilant as people approach their pods.
Garrett said that NOAA wants to require swimmers, snorkelers and others in the water to stay at least 50 yards from the animals.
Anderson also hopes NOAA will develop a plan to monitor the effectiveness of the proposed rule, once it goes into effect.
3 responses to “State seeks larger zone for ban on swimming with dolphins”
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I feel that dolphins should be protected. Period. No swimming with dolphins.
This is kind of a difficult issue. I agree that tours that specifically go out to bother dolphins really should not. When one is out on the water though and especially when SCUBA diving, dolphins are often curious and will approach of their own accord. Any regulation really needs to be written in a way that leaves the contact decision up to the dolphins and not the people.
Just allow the Fed. Gov. to take total control over the ocean. Only allowed people are: friends, families and donors to their political campaigns or foundations.