Hawaiian spinner dolphins off the coast of the Big Island dive down after coming to the surface for a group breath. These majestic mammals often swim very close to shore giving snorkelers and scuba divers a great chance to see them in the water.
In some places around the Hawaiian islands this activity of swimming with the dolphins is promoted, in other places it is looked down upon. There is a lot of grey area concerning the legalities of swimming with dolphins. They are protected under the marine mammal protection act which states it is unlawful to 'harass' them. Interpreting what 'harass' means is where the grey area intensifies.
Some day in the future it may be totally illegal to swim with dolphins but for me I think as long as you respect them and don't try to change their behavior then you aren't harassing them.
No comments:
Post a Comment