Hawaii officials welcome reports of visitors inappropriately interacting with wildlife

Federal and state wildlife officials are responding to a growing number of tips from the public in the wake of two incidents of monk seal harassment by visitors to Hawaii.

There have been 31 tips to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources regarding wildlife violations over the past two weeks, including the two highly publicized monk seal cases, 10 regarding touching or feeding sea turtles, and two involving the pursuit of spinner dolphins.

“We know from activity of the past two weeks that many people are very concerned about those who are not following the law when they are around our wildlife, especially monk seals and turtles,” said state Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement Chief Jason Redulla at a news conference Friday.

Although these types of incidents have happened in past years, the public reaction reflects the high pitch of frustration over the high volume of visitors flocking to Hawaii in recent months and their impacts on the state’s natural resources.

A recent survey released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority found a growing number of residents feel tourism has brought more problems than benefits over the past year, with impacts to their quality of life and the environment, despite concerns about economic losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The reaction to the latest incidents of monk seal harassment serve as an example of that collective indignation.

DLNR encourages the public to continue reporting these incidents as well as documenting them, if safely possible, so officers can investigate and refer them to county prosecutors.

Photos and videos can serve as potential evidence, Redulla said, particularly since DOCARE officers cover more than 700 miles of shoreline and nearly 1.6 million acres of state-owned land and cannot be everywhere at all times.

“As a result we rely on witnesses who report when people are too close or are harassing our wildlife,” he said. “I strongly encourage people to download the DLNR Tips app.”

While some people feel strongly about these violations, he said it is best to report incidents to the proper authorities rather than to personally intervene.

Hawaiian monk seals, or Neomonachus schauinslandi, are a critically endangered species, with only about 1,400 animals remaining in the wild, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They are protected by state and federal laws, including the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Under state law, touching, harassing, capturing, injuring or killing monk seals is considered a Class C felony. Violators face penalties of up to five years in prison and $50,000 in fines. Green sea turtles are classified as threatened in Hawaii but are also protected by state and federal laws.

Adam Kurtz, NOAA Fisheries marine wildlife management coordinator, urged the public to remain at a safe distance from protected marine mammals.

“You can get a great picture to post on social media while also being respectful of the wildlife, respectful of the local culture and also following the law,” he said. “If you’re trying to get a selfie of a sea turtle or monk seal on the beach, you can do that from a safe distance.”

Under NOAA viewing guidelines, that should be at least 10 feet from sea turtles, 50 feet from monk seals, 50 yards from dolphins and small whales, and 100 yards from humpback whales.

Kurtz said he hopes the “concerning videos” that recently went viral and resulted in law enforcement investigations will drive positive change and increase awareness about the issues facing these species.

In one incident a smiling woman in a TikTok video touches the backside of a monk seal resting on a Kauai beach. The seal rears its head and snaps at her, and she runs away.

NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement investigated, and the couple, visitors from Louisiana, apologized for their actions, which occurred in June, and agreed to pay an undisclosed fine.

NOAA is also investigating another incident posted to Instagram in which a man touches a monk seal while it is resting along a rocky shoreline. The seal flinches and vocalizes at him.

The man asks whether anyone has food, perhaps with the intention of feeding the seal, which scoots into the water and swims away. After the seal’s departure the man shrugs and says, “I just wanted to make friends.”

The backlash online was swift, with some calling him an “idiot” and others suggesting that heftier fines be imposed or that visitors be required to watch videos about wildlife and culture in Hawaii.

The incidents also for the first time moved Gov. David Ige to use his social media platforms to issue a stern warning regarding disturbance of the endangered seals, saying the behavior is “absolutely unacceptable” and that violators will be prosecuted to “the fullest extent of the law.”

To some extent, social media has been blamed for contributing to the bad behavior but can also serve as an educational tool, officials said.

“Our marine animals are both culturally important and ecologically unique to Hawaii. They should be treated with respect always,” said Brian Neilson, DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources administrator. “Harassing them for fun or a photo opportunity or to post on social media is incredibly disrespectful.”

He added that social media “tends to exploit the issue, with people thinking they’re funny or harmless or to get views by approaching a seal or turtle.”

Neilson said agencies are redoubling their efforts on educating the public, particularly visitors.

He noted that for the past two years, Hawaiian Airlines and other airlines have been playing “Malama Hawaii” public service announcements, including one that specifically addresses marine wildlife viewing etiquette, on select flights to Hawaii.

Malama Hawaii-Wildlife from Hawaii DLNR on Vimeo.

The PSAs were produced by DLNR in 2018, with funding from HTA. These same spots also are being shown in more than 35,000 hotel rooms, he said.

“Obviously, we need to do more,” Neilson said.

Kalani Ka‘ana‘ana, chief brand officer of HTA, said the “Malama Hawaii” campaign educating the public about Hawaiian culture and wildlife will continue into next year.

“We believe educating visitors is a huge part of our job,” he said.

However, making the viewing of the videos mandatory is complicated due to the coordination of showing the right ones on the right inbound flights, he said. HTA also uses paid social media posts to target visitors to the islands.

In addition, HTA provides funding to various organizations, including Malama na Honu and Hawaii Marine Animal Response, that are on the front lines of educating people about turtles and monk seals.

Redulla said some DOCARE officers are trained in social media investigations, but did not disclose how many.

Kurtz of NOAA said residents can serve as wildlife ambassadors and, in their own social media posts taken from a safe distance, include information about how to view marine mammals responsibly.

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General viewing guidelines of marine wildlife in Hawaii

>> 10 feet from sea turtles on land and in water

>> 50 feet from Hawaiian monk seals*

>> 50 yards from dolphins

>> 100 yards from humpback whales

>> To report illegal activity or wildlife harassment, call 643-DLNR or use the free DLNRTips app. Violations can also be reported to NOAA’s marine wildlife hotline at 888-256-9840.

>> For more information on wildlife viewing guidelines, visit fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/marine-life- viewing-guidelines.

* NOAA officials recommend at least 150 feet from Hawaiian monk seal moms with pups.

Source: NOAA Fisheries