Officials said the group pursued and harassed a pod of dolphins.
Thirty-three swimmers are being accused of “pursuing, corralling, and harassing” a pod of dolphins in Hōnaunau Bay on Sunday, Hawaii’s division of Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement said on Tuesday.
Harassment cases were opened against each of the swimmers, who were not identified by name, Hawaiian officials said in a press release.
Members of a large group of swimmers appear to chase a pod of dolphins in this photo released by Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources taken on Sunday, March 26, 2023.
Department of Land and Natural Resources
Officials released video and photos taken from a drone, which they said showed the harassment. Authorities were waiting onshore for the swimmers when they left the water.
Hawaii’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement and the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement are investigating, according to the statement.
Officials on the Aloha State earlier this month announced a similar investigation into a man who refers to himself as “Dolphin Dave.” Officials said he was caught repeatedly harassing a humpback whale and a pod of dolphins during a snorkeling trip.
