Message for Hawaii boaters from NOAA Fisheries, Pacific Islands Regional Office:
Message for Hawaii boaters from NOAA Fisheries, Pacific Islands Regional Office:
NOAA Fisheries is announcing two rules to enhance the protection of Hawaiian spinner dolphins:
A final rule that prohibits swimming with and approaching spinner dolphins within 50 yards or remaining within 50 yards of a Hawaiian spinner dolphin, including approach by interception. The prohibition applies in waters within 2 nautical miles (3.7 kilometers) of the Hawaiian Islands and in designated waters bounded by the islands of Lanai, Maui, and Kahoolawe; and
A proposed rule to establish time-area closures at five sites in the main Hawaiian Islands. The proposed rule would establish mandatory time-area closures of Hawaiian spinner dolphins’ essential daytime habitats from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily in areas of Kealakekua Bay, Honaunau Bay, Kauhako Bay (Hookena), and Makako Bay on Hawaii Island, and La Perouse Bay on Maui.
