On May 6, the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement’s (DOCARE) Maui Branch received a notification about a monk seal harassment case. In a social media posting, an adult man appears to be throwing a rock-like object towards a Hawaiian monk seal, an endangered species, while it is swimming off the Lahaina shoreline during the daytime.

A DOCARE officer who responded to the scene was able to obtain a description of the alleged suspect, a 37-year-old adult male from Seattle, Washington. The man has been widely identified on multiple platforms as Igor Lytvynchuk, a visitor to Maui who owns a shipping company. DOCARE detained him, but he then invoked his legal rights by requesting legal counsel and declined to make a statement. No criminal charges have been filed against the suspect.

In a May 6 news conference, DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla said that the monk seal has not been officially identified, and it has not been confirmed if the seal was harmed by the rock. 

What You Need To Know

In a social media posting, an adult man appears to be throwing a rock-like object towards a Hawaiian monk seal, an endangered species, while it is swimming off the Lahaina shoreline during the daytime

A DOCARE officer who responded to the scene was able to obtain a description of the alleged suspect, a 37-year-old adult male from Seattle, Washington

They detained the male, who then invoked his legal rights by requesting legal counsel and declined to make a statement. No criminal charges have been filed against the suspect

If you witness a potential marine animal ESA or MMPA violation in Hawaiʻi, the best way you can help is to report the incident immediately, and in as much detail as possible, to NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement at 800-853-1964

 

In accordance with the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), which provides protection for Hawaiian monk seals, DOCARE will be turn over the state investigation of this incident to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement (NOAA-OLE) for further review and action.

 

On Oahu, at Kaimana Beach, Kaiwi, a 15-year-old female monk seal, gave birth to a pup on May 3 (yet unnamed, sex yet unknown).

There have been several reports of people breaching the temporary fence set up at Kaimana Beach that marks the resting area for Kaiwi and her pup.

“This is a very crucial time in the life of this pup, so for these people to be breaching the area and getting close is not a good idea at all,” Redulla said.

“If the mother seal perceives any human or pet to be a threat, she may attack. This is what happened during a 2022 encounter between a swimmer and mother seal at Kaimana Beach. The swimmer suffered lacerations to her face, back and arm,” Chief Redulla cautions.

“From past monk-seal-related incidents, we know that some of the NOAA fines have been substantial, totaling several thousand dollars,” added Chief Redulla.

“To keep people and pets safe, and to protect our endangered marine life, we ask the public’s help by showing respect for these animals and following all guidelines for safe viewing.”

You Can Help

   Keep dogs on a leash and well away from seals
   Use an alternate beach during the nursing period
   Stay at least 150 feet away – half the length of a football field – from mothers with pups
   Stay at least 50 feet away from all monk seals
   Remain behind any posted signs, cones, or barriers
   Avoid swimming near a mother and pup
   Use a camera zoom or binoculars instead of approaching

Hawaiian monk seals are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and MMPA, as well as state law. It is illegal to disturb, harass, feed, or otherwise harm a monk seal. Violations may result in fines or criminal penalties.

If you witness a potential marine animal ESA or MMPA violation in Hawaiʻi, the best way you can help is to report the incident immediately, and in as much detail as possible, to NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement at 800-853-1964.

Nuy Cho is the executive producer of Spectrum News Hawaii. She writes the surf report and covers other general news. Read more of her stories here.