Observing Spinner Dolphins with The AMAZING FROM AFAR Team on Hawaii Island with Kimberly Wood

SPECIAL EPISODE – AMAZING FROM AFAR CAMPAIGN (ALL DRONE FOOTAGE COLLECTED UNDER NMFS PERMIT #20605)

Hello Friends,
This is a special episode shot in December of 2021 where I traveled to the Island of Hawaii to tag along with Kimberly Wood as she worked for the Amazing From Afar Campaign organized by Colorado State University in conjunction with NOAA by the principal investigator for AMA Dr. Katie Abrams.

The campaign was designed to help educate the public about the legal distances people must stay away from Hawaii’s Spinner Dolphins, Monk Seals and Sea Turtles. The project was launched following the updated restrictions of the new Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) that went into effect in October of 2021.

Spinner dolphins hunt and feed at night and retreat to the calm bays of the Hawaiian Islands in the day to sleep. Being conscience breathers they swim slowly in circles as they sleep (with one half of their mind resting at a time). The general public having access to these bays as well unwittingly disturb their sleep and prevent them from rest. This might be done via swimming, paddle board or by guided tours on boats, some of which are respectful of the dolphins are some of which stalk and harass the dolphins making it impossible for them to sleep.

The AMAZING FROM AFAR TEAM:
Dr. Katie Abrams – principle investigator for AMA

Eric Forbes – Masters student at CSU – Documentary Photographer for AMA

Paige Nakey – Masters student at CSU – Land research assistant for AMA

Mary William – Undergraduate student at CSU – Second drone pilot for AMA

Kimberly A Wood – Freelance field researcher photographer and drone pilot – Remote Pilot in command for AMA

ALL DRONE FOOTAGE COLLECTED UNDER NMFS PERMIT #20605

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Some more information from the AMAZING FROM AFAR website : https://www.amazingfromafar.org

Your choices today will forever change Hawai‘i. Make good ones that are Kind to Oceankind.

Sea turtles, spinner dolphins, Hawaiian monk seals, and humpback whales are part of what makes Hawaiʻi special. These animals all have a unique and vital role in the ecosystem.

Whether you’re a visitor, community member, or simply love Hawai‘i, we all have a responsibility to ensure these precious species are here for us, future generations, and continue to remain a special part of Hawaiʻi.

The simplest first step you can take is to always admire wildlife from afar.

You also consider yourself a respectful person. So show your respect and care for the wildlife and people who call this place home. It’s our kuleana (responsibility) to mālama `āina (care for the land and sea).

More and more people are showing they are respectful and care by never getting too close to wildlife, especially these endangered and threatened species.
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These species are amazing from afar. Viewing distances have been set by the U.S. federal government. Knowing and following these minimum distances from wildlife not only saves you from legal fines and a guilty conscience, it also protects wildlife, maintains the ecological balance, and shows your respect for the Hawaiian people.

Never Get Closer Than:
● 10 feet (3 m) from sea turtles

● 50 feet (15 m) from monk seals

● 50 yards / 150 feet (46 m) from spinner dolphins

● 100 yards / 300 feet (91 m) from humpback whales

If you are approached by a spinner dolphin, take immediate action to move away 50 yards. Why might a spinner dolphin approach?
Distances apply to all ways in which you or something you control could get close to wildlife no matter where they roam.

That includes swimming or paddling (kayak, stand-up paddle board, canoe), operating a motorized vessel, or flying a drone, helicopter, or plane. When sea turtles or monk seals are on land or in shallow tide pools, the distances still apply.

Links :
Kimberly Wood: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqIxEMCgnQgCjxNweyg75jQ
Amazing From Afar: https://www.amazingfromafar.org
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Fair Winds,
James

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