Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

NEIL ABERCROMBIE GOVERNOR

WILLIAM J. AILA JR, CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release February 13, 2014

DLNR AND NOAA FISHERIES ASK PUBLIC’S HELP
TO PROTECT HAWAIIAN SPINNER DOLPHINS 

HONOLULU –The Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) are advising people to be “dolphin smart.”To avoid potential harassment of spinner dolphins, ocean and beach goers should keep the recommended distance of 150 feet (50 yards) when observing dolphins in the wild. Hawaiian spinner dolphins move near shore into bays and coves during the day to rest, care for their young, and avoid predators. During this time it is important not to disturb them as these activities are critical to their survival. At night they move offshore to feed.

“It is tempting to approach and interact with these animals; however, research has shown that these interactions can interfere with their natural behavior and could have population-wide effects,”said William J. Aila, Jr., DLNR chairperson.

NOAA Fisheries Regional Administrator Michael Tosatto added: “Close interactions with the dolphins are not only potentially harmful to them, but can lead to harassment, which is illegal. By following the responsible viewing guidelines, we can limit the impacts our activities may have on the animals.”

Spinner dolphins are named for their unique behavior of leaping out of the water and spinning in the air. These social animals travel in groups of 10, 100 or more and are believed to live over 20 years.

They are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), which prohibits the “take”of marine mammals. “Take”means to harass, hunt, capture, or kill, or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal.

DLNR and NOAA Fisheries encourage all ocean users to follow Dolphin SMART guidelines, which are:

• Stay at least 50 yards from dolphins
• Move away cautiously if dolphins show signs of disturbance
• Always put your engine in neutral when dolphins are near
• Refrain from feeding, touching, or swimming with wild dolphins
• Teach others to be Dolphin SMART

The Dolphin SMART program recognizes commercial tour operators that voluntarily adhere to responsible guidelines. For more information and a list of approved businesses, visit www.dolphinsmart.org.

Report any violations of the MMPA to NOAA Fisheries’Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-853-1964.

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For more information contact:

Deborah Ward
Public information specialist
Department of Land and Natural Resources
Phone: (808) 587-0320

Wende Goo
Communications and External Affairs
NOAA Fisheries, Pacific Islands Region
808-721-4098
[email protected]