Swimming is one of the most fun sports out there. It’s a sport that teaches discipline and sportsmanship. Cutting through the water is almost philosophical, it’s like leaving your problems behind. For people like Michael Phelps, someone who has struggled with mental health issues since he was a child, swimming is therapeutic. To use an act like this to cause damage, or to hurt other creatures, is a sacrilege.

But knowing how cruel humans can be, it is no surprise that a similar instance occurred. NBC news recently shared a post on their Facebook page, with the caption, “A drone video caught 33 swimmers allegedly “aggressively pursuing, corralling, and harassing” a pod of 11 dolphins in Hōnaunau Bay, officials say.” Needless to say, the internet was outraged by this cruel act.

Swimmers harass a pod of innocent Dolphins

According to NBC News, authorities are investigating swimmers, for breaking federal law by harassing a pod of dolphins in Hōnaunau Bay on Sunday morning. In the clip captured by a drone, swimmers are seen pursuing and heckling 11 dolphins. The act is considered a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, a law enacted in 1972 that makes it illegal to harass wild marine mammals, including dolphins, whales, seals, and sea lions. The act that has been caught in the clip could be illegal due to two components.

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According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the first component is “any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance” that could be a cause of injury to a marine mammal. The other one is referring to “acts that have the potential to disturb (but not injure) a marine mammal” by disrupting their breeding, feeding, and other routines. Not only this, the spinner dolphins that are seen being harassed in the video, are also protected under a 2021 rule that disallows any swimmer or vessel to come within 150 feet of the dolphins, within 2 miles of the Hawaii shoreline.

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The NOAA revealed that spinner dolphins could be sleeping even when they appear to be moving in the water. This is because half of their brains remain ‘awake’ while they swim, helping them breathe and remain on the surface of the water. Disturbing the spinner dolphins at that time could result in disruption of their daytime rest, which can affect their health and reproduction.

Netizens express outrage at the unlawful act

When NBC posted the news on their Facebook page, the internet was aggrieved and infuriated on behalf of the dolphins. Someone made an ironic comment, saying, “Humanity sucks! Bet they are part of that save the environment crowd.”

Someone gave a reasoned argument as to how these swimmers should be punished. They said, “I think they need to be charged with the crime and be made to pay maximum fines with those fines going directly to the program that protects the dolphins. No trial as they were caught on film and so are guilty of the crime. Immediate response like I described will serve to deter others from committing the crime. Swift and decisive action.”

Someone thought being bitten by a shark would serve them well, and said, “Where is a great white shark when you need one?” Another person took a different opinion from the rest, and wrote, “The Dolphins could swin away faster than any human can swim. Dolphins like swimming with humans… that’s been proven time and again. Just like they enjoy swimming with cruise ships.” One can only hope that if the swimmers were indulging in unlawful activities harmful to nature, they are reprimanded appropriately for the same. What do you make of the video?

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