Snorkellers face federal crime after what this drone captured in Hawaii

Hawaiian authorities have referred 33 individuals for investigation after the group allegedly “aggressively harassed” a pod of untamed dolphins.

A bunch of snorkellers who had been allegedly caught by a drone “aggressively pursuing, corralling and harassing” a pod of protected spinner dolphins in Honaunau Bay had been met by police after they acquired out of the water on Sunday.

It’s in opposition to federal legislation to swim inside 45 metres of the nocturnal dolphins in Hawaii’s nearshore waters and the footage confirmed them following the pod as they swam away.

Authorities declare a big group of snorkellers had been harassing dolphins in Hawaii. (Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources)

To the untrained eye, the dolphins can seem like awake through the day as they’re swimming however could also be sleeping at the same time as they manoeuvre by way of the water.

They relaxation half their brains and preserve the opposite awake to floor and breathe.

The 45 metre rule was enforced in 2021 amid considerations the nocturnal mammals weren’t getting the remainder they wanted to forage for meals at evening because of the variety of vacationers approaching them.

Department enforcement officers converse to swimmers in Honaunau, Hawaii. (Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources)

The rule applies to areas inside 3.7 kilometres of the Hawaiian Islands and in designated waters surrounded by the islands of Lanai, Maui and Kahoolawe.

“Drone video and photographs show a group of swimmers who appear to be aggressively pursuing, corralling, and harassing the pod,” DNLR stated in a press release.

“Under the Joint Enforcement Agreement with the DLNR, Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement Officers are deputised as federal officers and are authorised to enforce federal marine laws, such as the Marine Mammal Protection Act.”