Dear Marmam-readers, The following may be of interest to you. NOAA Fisheries has announced two rules to enhance the protection of spinner dolphins in Hawaii: 1. A final rule that prohibits swimming with and approaching spinner dolphins within 50 yards. The rule applies in waters within two nautical miles of the Hawaiian Islands. This rule will go into effect on October 28, 2021. The final rule is available here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/enhancing-protections-hawaiian-spinner... . 2. A proposal to establish time-area closures at particular locations off Hawaii Island and Maui. This proposed rule aims to establish time-area closures of spinner dolphins’ five essential habitats from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. NOTE: NOAA is accepting comments from the public on the proposed time-area rule until December 27, 2021. The proposed time-area closures rule is available in the Federal Register: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/proposed-rule-establish-time-area-clos... . Please do submit comments on this important rule. Kind regards, Lars Bejder -------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [image: University of Hawaii at Manoa] Lars Bejder | Professor, Marine Mammal Research Program | University of Hawaii at Manoa | Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology | *Website*: www.mmrphawaii.org