The state Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers initiated cases against 33 swimmers actively pursuing a pod of dolphins on Sunday morning in Hōnaunau Bay on the Big Island.
During a routine patrol in the South Kona District, the officers took photographs and drone video showing the large group of swimmers appearing to be aggressively pursuing, corralling and harassing the pod.
A group of 33 swimmers were caught illegally chasing a pod of dolphins in Hōnaunau Bay on the Big Island. (Department of Land and Natural Resources)
A joint investigation was initiated against 33 swimmers chasing dolphins by state Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers and the Office of Law Enforcement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Department of Land and Natural Resources)
The 33 swimmers seen chasing dolphins in Hōnaunau Bay were met on land by state Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers. (Department of Land and Natural Resources)
Drone video captures 33 swimmers illegally chasing a pod of dolphins in Hōnaunau Bay on the Big Island. (Department of Land and Natural Resources)
A group of 33 swimmers were caught illegally chasing a pod of dolphins in Hōnaunau Bay on the Big Island. (Department of Land and Natural Resources)
The officers contacted the swimmers in the water and alerted them to the violation. They were met by uniformed officers on land, where a joint state and federal investigation was initiated.
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Under the Joint Enforcement Agreement with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, the state resources officers are deputized as federal officers and are authorized to enforce federal marine laws, such as the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Cases like these are worked jointly and are referred to NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement for review and final disposition.
“It is an excellent partnership where it is a combined joint effort to accomplish the same goal of protecting the living marine resources,” the state Department of Land and Natural Resources stated in a press release.
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