"What he was picking up was like a rock the size of a coconut. It wasn't no small rock. It was the size of a coconut. And he threw it right, directly aiming towards the monk seal's head."
"Monk seals are a protected species under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, the federal Endangered Species Act and Hawaii state law. NOAA spokesperson Rachel Hager told SFGATE in an email that the agency is investigating and that attempts to harass, hunt, shoot, capture, trap, kill, collect, wound, harm, or pursue the animals are punishable by law."
"From past monk-seal-related incidents, we know that some of the NOAA fines have been substantial, totaling several thousand dollars. Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement Chief Jason Redulla said in a statement."
A 37-year-old man from Seattle was detained by Maui Police after throwing a coconut-sized rock at a monk seal swimming off Lahaina on Maui. Witness Kaylee Schnitzer recorded the incident and reported it to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The case was transferred to NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement for investigation. Monk seals are protected under federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, and Hawaii state law. Violations including harassment, harm, or pursuit of monk seals carry fines up to $8,500. The Department of Land and Natural Resources recommends maintaining 50 feet distance from seals and 150 feet from mothers with pups.
#endangered-species-protection #wildlife-harassment #hawaii-marine-conservation #federal-law-enforcement
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