HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0326.003 2020-2022 Res.(��pc
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From: Gretchen Ana Currie Ramirez
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Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2021 11:24 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Urging Council support of Res. 166-12
RE: Resolution 166-21:
URGES THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION(NOAA) TO
PROMPTLY FINALIZE AND ISSUE ITS PUBLICATION OF PROPOSED RULE " PROTECTIVE
REGULATIONS FOR HAWAIIAN SPINNER DOLPHINS UNDER THE MARINE MAMMAL
PROTECTION ACT" ( FEDERAL REGISTER CITATION: 81 FR 57854; DOCKET NUMBER: NOAA-
2005- 0226)
Seeks official implementation of proposed regulations on human interactions with Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins
to allow for timely responses to alleged violations, thorough investigations, and the issuance of citations.
Aloha Hawaii County Council Members,
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We are writing to strongly urge you to support the above resolution#166-21. This well-crafted resolution has the very
strong support of our South Iona community, which has been heavily impacted by the irresponsible actions of tour
companies and individuals who refuse to abide by the current NOAA guidelines regarding Hawaiian spinner dolphins. j
The lengthy delay in publishing the important final rule regarding protections for our nai`a, by prohibiting swimming
with and approaching spinner dolphins within 50 yards, has been agonizing. Our community has been working on
this issue for nearly two decades, as we watch the populations of spinners decline from a previously healthy level
(3,000+ individuals) to the present level of fewer than 500.
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At Honaunau Bay, we are forced to watch from the shoreline as dozens of tourists surround the resting dolphin pods,
chasing them, trying to grab them or ride them, loudly slapping the water and yelling at them, and other activities that
harass the dolphin pods. Without the new rule, we will continue to have nowhere to go to seek remediation of this
serious issue. It is difficult to express how disturbing and frustrating it has been to observe this happening, and getting
progressively worse, over a period of 20 years.
PLEASE do the right thing and pass this resolution, which respectfully urges the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to promptly finalize and issue its publication of proposed rule "Protective Regulations For Hawaiian
Spinner Dolphins Linder the Marine Mammal Protection Act" ( federal register document citation: 81 FR 57854;
docket number: NOAA-2005- 0226).
Our community needs you to step up and help at this critical timer
Mahalo for listening,
Gretchen Ana Currie Ramirez
Rafael Ramirez
Captain Cook, 111 96704
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