The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports a Hawaiian spinner dolphin yearling and a humpback whale calf were both killed this February in vessel strikes. 

Now, NOAA is urging boaters to slow down when passing near marine mammals in Hawaii, according to a news release. 

On Feb. 12, NOAA Fisheries and the Department of Land and Natural Resources responded to a report of a dead Hawaiian spinner dolphin on Kauai’s west side. A necropsy (animal autopsy) said the 1-year-old female dolphin died of trauma to the head consistent with a vessel strike. 

NOAA published a rule in 2021 that prohibits swimming with, approaching, or remaining within 50 years of Hawaiian spinner dolphins. 

A few weeks later, on Feb. 26, NOAA Fisheries, DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, and Pulama Lanai responded to a report of a dead humpback calf on Lanai’s northeast side. The necropsy revealed this calf also had multiple skull fractures consistent with a vessel strike. 

The area where the calf was found is within the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Every winter, thousands of whales travel to this sanctuary, which was created to protect whales who mate, give birth, and nurse in the area. 

Federal law also states it is illegal to approach humpback whales within 100 yards by any type of boat, drone, or while swimming. In 2022, NOAA released voluntary guidelines for whale-watching boat tours to travel at a speed of 15 knots or less, especially in water depths of 100 fathoms or less, in order to reduce striking. The recommendations also said when a boat is within 400 yards of a whale, it should further reduce its speed to six knots. 

This year, NOAA has received six confirmed reports of vessel strikes to humpback whales in Hawaii.

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.