Caught in the Waves: The Cost of Getting Too Close to Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins

Imagine living with a disruptive roommate and having no way of asking them to respect your space, or more importantly your sleep schedule. For Hawaiian spinner dolphinswho feed at night and rest during the day, that is a routine challenge. When dolphins sleep, they are partially awake and come to the surface to breathe. You may witness what you think are dolphins playing when in fact they are trying to sleep. Thankfully, they have the Pacific Islands Division of NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement(OLE) working as an advocate.

NOAA Fisheries implemented a regulation in September 2021 that prohibited swimming with, approaching, or remaining within 50 yards of a Hawaiian spinner dolphin. Since then, NOAA OLE, Pacific Islands Division, has conducted more than 614 patrols focused on enforcing spinner dolphin protection.

It's no small feat given the division's resources and scope. They enforce more than 40 different laws and support international treaties across more than 1.5 million square nautical miles in the Pacific Islands region.

"We have a big mission, and we have an even bigger passion for protecting the nation's marine resources and their habitats," said Martina Sagapolu, Assistant Director for NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement, Pacific Islands Division.

That passion is evident: They've issued roughly 135 enforcement actions and 76 penalties in the fight to let Hawaiian spinner dolphins rest. Penalties ranged from $100 to $4,500 for violators engaging in commercial and recreational activities, with most incidents occurring on Hawai'i Island and O'ahu.

Helping Spinner Dolphins Rest is a Collaborative Effort

Thankfully, we have some great help in our mission to protect spinner dolphins. NOAA OLE partners with other federal and state enforcement agencies on joint operations. We patrol to monitor close encounters with spinner dolphins and other protected marine wildlife. Enforcement partners include:

• U.S. Coast Guard
• State of Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement (DOCARE)

"NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement has limited resources and it is one of the main reasons the Cooperative Enforcement Agreement is an important program to us," said Sagapolu. "We have a solid working relationship with DOCARE and together our officers and special agents respond to complaints relating to spinner dolphin harassment."

In instances where NOAA OLE is not available, DOCARE officers collect information, interview witnesses and the violator, and gather evidence. They compile a case package, and forward it to NOAA OLE.

Community Support

Education and outreach have also been important tools to inform ocean users about spinner dolphin protection and how to comply with the rules. Our partners have helped to get the word out about the rule to those who may come into contact with spinner dolphins. Contributors to this effort include:

• Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources
• Hawai'i Tourism Authority
• Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources

We conduct outreach activities, such as information sessions or beach signage. Our community members also play a role in helping to educate the public on how to respect spinner dolphins. They are our eyes and ears on the water to report any potential harassment of spinner dolphins or other marine wildlife emergencies.

"The local communities near spinner resting bays are well aware that these dolphins need their space to rest and care for their young, and they have witnessed the challenges our dolphins have faced throughout the years," said Adam Kurtz, Marine Wildlife Management Coordinator for NOAA Fisheries' Pacific Islands Regional Office.

"We are grateful for the community members who have been able to channel their passion into helping people learn how to respect spinner dolphins in a way that doesn't take away any excitement from a day at the beach," he added.

What Should I Do if I See Someone Approaching Spinner Dolphins?

If you see someone approaching, swimming with, or closely interacting with spinner dolphins, you can help. Report the incidentand submit videos, photos, or links to social media posts. This is also true if you witness potentially illegal encounters with other protected marine wildlife, such as sea turtles, Hawaiian monk seals, whales, and dolphin species.

Videos best for documenting an encounter. The most useful videos clearly show the behavior of both the people and the dolphins involved in the incident. Also, it can be very difficult to take appropriate action without knowing the identities of the people involved. Photos can help law enforcement identify people, vessels, or vehicles.

To submit a report, call:

• NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline: (888) 256-9840 (best number for all protected marine wildlife emergencies, enforcement is option 6)
• NOAA Office of Law Enforcement: (800) 853-1964
• DOCARE: (808) 643-DLNR (3567)

You can also send videos, photos, and social media links to [email protected]or download and submit a report through the DLNRTip app.

Remember, when you're out on the water marine wildlife will be out there as well, trying to do what they can just to survive. A photo op or a selfie for social media is not worth disturbing spinner dolphins and possibly making that close experience a costly one.

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