NOAA and DLNR recommend
at least 10 feet (3 meters) from all sea turtles. It is for your safety and the animals’ protection.
You will get a penalty or go to jail if you harass a green sea turtle!
“In October 2017, two visitors from the U.S. mainland sparked outrage when they posted a photo of themselves holding a Hawaiian green sea turtle (honu) on a Hawai‘i Island beach.
When the photo in question first surfaced on social media, local non-profit organizations and concerned members of the public reported it to the Hawai‘i State Department of Land and Natural Resources. The DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) began an investigative case to determine if legal action was required; they eventually transferred the case to the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement.
Aided by the thorough investigation that DOCARE had initiated, NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement was able to locate and interview the men involved. During the interview, the two suspects admitted their guilt and were subsequently issued a Summary Settlement (fine) regarding their illegal actions of capturing a Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle. The suspects chose not to contest the Summary Settlement and with the aid of their families paid the $750.00 fine.” [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2017]
Another case was in Florida in 2017. A South Florida man was sentenced to 30 days in jail for lifting an endangered sea turtle out of the water in the Florida Keys. [Batchelor, 2017]
References
Batchelor, A. (2017, October 5). Man sentenced to 30 days in jail for lifting sea turtle out of water. Retrieved from local10.com: https://www.local10.com/news/2017/10/05/man-sentenced-to-30-days-in-jail-for-lifting-sea-turtle-out-of-water/
DLNR. (2021, October 10). Sea Turtles. Retrieved from State of Hawaii Dividion of Aquatic Resources: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/species/sea-turtles/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2021, September 28). Viewing Marine Wildlife in Hawaiʻi. Retrieved from NOAA Fisheries: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/marine-life-viewing-guidelines/viewing-marine-wildlife-hawaii
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2017, November 30). Men Fined for Capturing a Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle. Retrieved from NOAA: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/men-fined-capturing-hawaiian-green-sea-turtle