NOAA is proposing a new regulation that would forbid approaching within 50 yards of spinner dolphins along the Hawaii coast. The regulation is based on science showing that humans can disturb dolphin sleep and resting behavior. The dolphin-touching tourism industry is not happy. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...id=hp_no-name_hp-in-the-news:page/in-the-news
I don't think those people were allowed to touch the dolphins before this new rule. I couldn't believe how many tour operators are allowed to follow these dolphins everyday. The mention of 5 boats surrounding one pod is definitely harassment. Don't think 50 yards will be the change they are looking for in reducing dolphin disturbance.
Not the best photo but it shows how close the boats, kayaks, and swimmers are to the dolphins. The splash is a spinner dolphin.
