On May 6, the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement\u2019s (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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In a May 6 news conference,\u00a0DOCARE 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
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 \u00a0<\/p>\n 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\u2019s Office of Law Enforcement (NOAA-OLE) for further review and action.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 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).<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThis 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,\u201d Redulla said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf 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,\u201d Chief Redulla cautions.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom past monk-seal-related incidents, we know that some of the NOAA fines have been substantial, totaling several thousand dollars,\u201d added Chief Redulla.<\/p>\n \u201cTo keep people and pets safe, and to protect our endangered marine life, we ask the public\u2019s help by showing respect for these animals and following all guidelines for safe viewing.\u201d<\/p>\n You Can Help<\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0Keep dogs on a leash and well away from seals 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.<\/p>\n If you witness a potential marine animal ESA or MMPA violation in Hawai\u02bbi,\u00a0the best way you can help<\/a>\u00a0is to report the incident immediately, and in as much detail as possible, to NOAA\u2019s Office of Law Enforcement at\u00a0800-853-1964.<\/p>\n
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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
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If you witness a potential marine animal ESA or MMPA violation in Hawai\u02bbi,\u00a0the best way you can help<\/a>\u00a0is to report the incident immediately, and in as much detail as possible, to NOAA\u2019s Office of Law Enforcement at\u00a0800-853-1964<\/p>\n
\n\u00a0 \u00a0Use an alternate beach during the nursing period
\n\u00a0 \u00a0Stay at least\u00a0150 feet away\u00a0\u2013 half the length of a football field \u2013\u00a0from mothers with pups
\n\u00a0 \u00a0Stay at least\u00a050 feet away\u00a0from all monk seals
\n\u00a0 \u00a0Remain behind any posted signs, cones, or barriers
\n\u00a0 \u00a0Avoid swimming near a mother and pup
\n\u00a0 \u00a0Use a camera zoom or binoculars instead of approaching<\/p>\n