Ban would keep people away from Hawaii dolphins
Published: Aug. 23, 2016 at 3:29 PM CDT
Federal regulators say a proposed ban on swimming with Hawaii dolphins is intended to keep people a safe distance from the animals.
Ann Garrett of the National Marine Fisheries Service said Tuesday the agency wants to require that people stay at least 50 yards from spinner dolphins.
She says some tourist operators already follow similar voluntary guidelines and others can do so and remain viable businesses.
Under the proposal, operators could still take people snorkeling for other reasons but they wouldn't be allowed to set their customers within a pod of dolphins or within 50 yards of a dolphin.
