Understanding NOAA Marine Protection Laws

Understanding NOAA Marine Protection Laws

Tourism Industry Challenges

– Human-Wildlife Interaction
– Tour Boats
– Swimmers
– Beach Goers

Compliance with federal laws

– Endangered Species Act (ESA)
– Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)

Two Primary Wildlife Conservation Laws Protect Marine Species Both laws prohibit “take” and “harassment”.

– Endangered Species Act (ESA)
– Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

– Protects all species listed as endangered or threatened.
“TAKE is to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct regarding endangered or threatened species”

Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)

Protects all marine mammals
Further defines harassment as “any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance that has the potential to injure a marine mammal, or the potential to disturb a marine mammal by causing a disruption of behavioral patterns.”

NOAA Fisheries Marine Wildlife Viewing Guidelines

DO NOT DISTURB NATURAL BEHAVIOR
– NO Chasing
– NO Feeding
– NO Touching
– NO Encircling while snorkeling or swimming
– NO Trapping animals between you/vessel and shoreline
– NO Playing or swimming with the marine mammals

Do Not Change Natural Behavior
Do not attempt to push basking turtles or monk seals back into the water

Responsible and Legal Viewing Activity
BE RESPECTFUL
– Limit observation time to a just a few minutes
– Use binoculars or camera zoom features from a distance
– Look for ANY signs of disturbance
– Leave area quickly if animals show signs of disturbance

NOAA Guidelines for Viewing Marine Life in Hawaii

NOAA Recommendations for Viewing Sea Turtles
NOAA Recommendations for Viewing Wild Dolphins

Humpback Whales

– Protected by Federal Regulations
– 100 yard vessel distance
– Manned aircraft prohibited within 1,000 feet

NOAA Recommendations For Viewing Monk Seals

“Rule of Thumb”
– Extend arm straight out in front of view
– Place thumb parallel to the ground in line of sight with the seal
– Thumb should completely covers seal

For more information about Protecting Hawaii’s Marine Wildlife.

http://www.fpir.noaa.gov – NOAA information about Protected Resources
http://www.roarhawaii.org – highlights responsible wildlife viewing and stewardship
http://www.dolphinsmart.org – features a NOAA voluntary and educational program about the importance of minimizing disturbance