Thirty-three swimmers are accused of swimming too close to a pod of wild dolphins in Hawaii. The group was filmed by a drone on March 26 during a routine check by local authorities, reports HuffPost.
In Hawaii, swimming so close to marine mammals has been banned since the Marine Mammal Protection Act went into effect in 2021. A distance of 45 m must be respected with these animals, unless they come from themselves to humans. For the local authorities, the 33 swimmers are therefore in violation.
A pod of wild dolphins near the Big Island were allegedly harassed by a group of 33 swimmers, Hawaii authorities said Tuesday.
It's against federal law to swim within 50 yards of spinner dolphins in Hawaii's nearshore waters.https://t.co/ogbrF9ZLVp pic.twitter.com/iToFdB5hEp
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 29, 2023
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One year in prison and a fine of 11,000 euros
According to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the swimmers effectively "aggressively pursued, surrounded and harassed the school" of cetaceans. Still in the water, bathers were alpagué and warned that they were breaking the law. When they returned to the beach, they were greeted and arrested by federal agents.
DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) officers initiated cases against a large group of swimmers actively pursuing a pod of dolphins in Hōnaunau Bay Sunday morning, during a routine patrol in the South Kona District. pic.twitter.com/wNfuzXb0dm
— DLNR (@dlnr) March 29, 2023
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An investigation was eventually opened by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The 33 swimmers face fines of up to $11,000 and up to a year in prison.
- Dolphin
- Hawaii
- Harassment
- Bathing
- Animals
- World