New NOAA rule prohibits swimming with Hawaii’s spinner dolphins

HONOLULU (AP) – U.S. regulators on Tuesday banned swimming with Hawaii‘s spinner dolphins to protect the nocturnal animals from people seeking close encounters with the playful species.

Swimming with dolphins is a popular tourist activity in Hawaii. Several companies offer tours that take swimmers to areas frequented by dolphins to give them the opportunity to get into the water with the animals.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s regulation under the Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits swimming with a spinner dolphin within 2 nautical miles (4 kilometers) of the coast of the main Hawaiian islands or within 50 yards (46 yards) Meters). The rule applies to boats, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, drones, or other items.

NOAA is also proposing an ordinance banning certain areas between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. in parts of the Big Island and Maui that are considered essential day habitats for spinner dolphins.

Spinner dolphins hunt in coastal waters at night. During the day, they use coastal areas with optimal environmental conditions to socialize, feed their young, hide from predators and rest in preparation for the nocturnal hunt.

Hawaii’s spinner dolphins get their name from their habit of jumping in the air and spinning. Some scientists say that such behavior is not always playful and can instead be an attempt to alert others to danger.

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