Hawaii Asks Visitors To Respect Marine Life Through New Video Campaign [VIDEOS]

Officials in Hawaii are trying to better educate visitors and locals about proper wildlife viewing practices with a new series of videos. The videos also encourage the public to choose tour operators that keep their distance from when viewing marine life such as spinner dolphins, Hawaiian monk seals, turtles, and humpback whales.

A statement from the Hawaii Governor’s office said that the messages are cautionary tales that should be taken seriously, as incidents of monk seal hookings and boats running into whales continue to occur.

“In the 2012-2013 whale season, there have been 10 confirmed whale-vessel contacts. In 2012 there were 17 confirmed monk seal hookings. This year, there have been 6 confirmed hookings so far,” the statement reports.

One clip features a flock of paparazzi tourists snapping away at a seal-like man on the sand. It asks, “If you don’t like it what makes you think they do? Please keep your distance and respect our marine wildlife.”

Another features joggers spotting a man and hopping on his back and asking for a ride, a reference to swimmers trying to hitchhike with sea turtles.

Another clip shows a variety of wildlife caught on video with a traditional Hawaiian song in the background.

“We recognize the need to be proactive in managing human-wildlife interactions in Hawai‘i,” said William Aila, Chairman of the Board of Land and Natural Resources. “As part of the Governor’s New Day plan for better environmental stewardship, the more we can educate visitors and residents about proper wildlife viewing, the more we can keep both the public and marine animals safe.”