Monday, June 2, 2008

Guidelines for Viewing Marine Wildlife

NOAA Enforcement Hotline
800-853-1964
Pacific Whale Foundation's Guidelines: 249-8811

It is not illegal for an animal to approach you, but it is against the law to swim with marine mammals. Federal laws protect Hawaii's marine mammals and sea turtles from harrassment, injury and death:

  • If approached by a marine mammal or turtle while boating, put your engine in neutral and allow the animal to pass
  • Limit observation time to 30 minutes
  • Do not harass, hunt, capture or kill any marine mammal
  • Do not feed marine mammals

Stay at least:
  • 100 yards from humpback whales
  • 50 yards from dolphins and monk seals
  • 10 - 15 feet from turtles and allow space for them to surface and breathe

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About Maui

Nickname: Valley Isle
Maui County includes the islands of Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe. Together, the four islands are known as Maui Nui
Flower: Lokelani
Size: Maui is the second largest of the major Hawaiian Islands. Maui is 48 miles long and 26 miles wide, totalling 728 sq. miles
Average Winter Temperature: 71 degrees
Average Summer Temperature: 78 degrees
Average ocean temperature is 78 degrees
Average annual rainfall: 33”
Population: 141,320 (2006 census)
Tourists: 2,263,676 tourists (2005)
An average of 42,000 tourists on an average day