Who do you call?

[csgray]

Today we were experiencing the amazing sight of 3 whales spyhopping and fluking off Richardsons until both our enjoyment, and that of the whales, was destroyed by a boat which circled the whales again and again, including cutting between the calf and the adults. The farthest away from the whales they were was 100 yards, usually MUCH closer, for quite a while. We were using our binoculars and got a really good look at what was going on. The boat headed off towards Pohoiki after they scared the whales away, but it was still very disturbing. My question is this: who do you call when someone is grossly violating the Marine mammal protection act? Is there anyone one who actually enforces the protections for whales in Hawaiian waters?

carol

[Carey]

NOAA is the reporting agency for the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The Web site for their response is:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/education/hawaii/
The 24 Hr phone is (800)853-1964
Oh, if you are at Richardson's & notice this, definately stop into the office, they usually have an observer to so reports (& most County Lifeguards will also assist)

[csgray]

Mahalo for the info Carey! We live across the bay from Richardsons but I would have driven down there if I'd known we could report it there. Last year there was an adult and juvenile whale in the bay virtually every afternoon, the young one was super exuberant, someone even put a video on YouTube! But this year's baby can't do what it needs to prepare for the long trip from Hawaii if some jerk with a boat treats the situation like a petting zoo. Why can't people understand that these creatures have their own needs and agendas and they DO NOT exist to entertain us. How hard is it to stay back at a respectful distance. If you want better pictures, buy a better camera!

Last summer we watched whale watching boats chasing Orcas in Puget sound, right off Port Townsend. The U.S. boats actually stayed back a reasonable distance, but the Canadian boats operate under different rules and were much more aggressive. The Orcas were being headed off by super fast inflatable boats while other boats followed with the tourists. It reminded me of penning cattle. I was a little smug with my brother in law that we were much better behaved here in Hawaii. Pride goest before a fall, eh.

Carol