Swim With and Approach Regulation
for Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins
Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act

Excerpts from summary on Federal Register

“… the purpose of this regulation is to identify and prohibit specific human activities that result in take (including harassment) of Hawaiian spinner dolphins, and thus reduce disturbance and disruption of important Hawaiian spinner dolphin behaviors in areas where human-dolphin interactions are most likely to occur. This regulation is expected to reduce take of Hawaiian spinner dolphins and the impact of human viewing and interaction on these animals in the main Hawaiian Islands.” (Summery)

Imagine a new rule such as this:

“… the purpose of this regulation is to identify and prohibit specific human activities that result in take (including harassment) of Hawaiian green sea turtles, and thus reduce disturbance and disruption of important Hawaiian green sea turtle behaviors in areas where human-turtle interactions are most likely to occur. This regulation is expected to reduce take of Hawaiian green sea turtles and the impact of human viewing and interaction on these animals in the main Hawaiian Islands.”

By just changing the name of species from Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins to Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, it becomes a perfect Swim With and Approach Regulation for Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles for Laniakea where human-turtle interactions are most likely to occur.

Note: Spinner dolphins are not listed as endangered or threatened. Green sea turtles are a threatened species, and NOAA already has a national “guideline” of asking people to stay 50 yards (150 feet) from turtles.