More than 30 swimmers accused of harassing dolphins in Hawaii
Jack Birle
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More than 30 swimmers have been accused of harassing dolphins in Honaunau Bay off the island of Hawaii on Sunday.
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement says the 33 swimmers were “aggressively pursuing, corralling, and harassing the pod” of dolphins.
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The department provided photos and video showing the swimmers allegedly badgering the pod of dolphins, intruding on their space in the bay.
In the drone video provided by the agency, people can be seen swimming toward the dolphins, who are swimming away from the people.
The unnamed swimmers were met by law enforcement officials when they returned to land, with the DOCRE saying they are conducting a joint investigation into the incident with the NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement.
Federal law prohibits people from swimming within 50 yards of spinner dolphins in the waters around the Hawaiian islands. Charges have not been announced against the swimmers.
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Earlier this month, Maui resident David Jimenez, known on his Facebook page as “Dolphin Dave,” was cited by authorities for harassing a humpback whale in Kealakekua Bay off the island of Hawaii. He allegedly told authorities that he will not stop swimming with whales and dolphins “because it’s magical and others do much worse things.”
He was cited for two violations: prohibited acts in regard to endangered whale species and harassing wildlife in a state park. His court date is set for May 11.