NOAA to Host Free Workshops on Marine Wildlife Laws

Image: James Grenz / Kona dolphins

The public is invited to attend a series of ocean user workshops to learn about safe and lawful wildlife viewing and boating practices around marine mammals and sea turtles in Hawaiʻi waters.

Whale and dolphin watchers, boat captains, ocean tour operators and other ocean users are encouraged to attend. Federal officials will instruct attendees on how to legally interact with protected marine wildlife according to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and the Lacey Act.

The workshops are free to attend and will be held on the islands of Hawaiʻi, Maui, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and workshops will begin at 6:30 p.m. at all locations.

Workshop Dates and Locations:

Hawaiʻi Island
Monday, Dec. 3 (limited to the first 50 people)
West Hawaiʻi Civic Center
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona

Oʻahu
Wednesday, Nov. 28
Central Middle School
1302 Queen Emma Street, Honolulu

Kauaʻi
Friday, Nov. 30
King Kaumualiʻi Elementary School Cafeteria
4380 Hanamaulu Road, Lihue

Maui
Thursday, Dec. 6
Princess Nahienaena Elementary School
816 South Niheu Street, Lahaina

Friday, Dec. 7
NOAA HIHW Sanctuary office
726 South Kihei Road, Kihei

The workshops are being held by the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and NOAA Fisheries. For more information, contact Allen Tom, Pacific Islands Regional Director at (808) 879-2818 ext. 225 or allen.tom@noaa.gov.