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Press
Release
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
October 19, 2001
CONTACT: Kellie Cheung
(808) 587-0365
SAFE WHALE-WATCHING
The public is invited to attend a 2001 Ocean User Workshop to learn about regulations pertaining to safe and responsible whale watching. Representatives of federal and state agencies will be on hand to discuss regulations intended to protect the endangered humpback whale in Hawaiian waters.
Commercial and recreational boaters and marine business operators are encouraged to attend to learn about the rules that may affect their activities during the whale season.
Humpback whales became a severely depleted species as a result of commercial whaling during the last century. Many laws and policies place restrictions on human interaction with humpbacks. In order to better promote and monitor the species' recovery, portions of waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands were established as the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary in 1997.
The workshops are presented by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, the National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Enforcement, the National Marine Fisheries Service Pacific Islands Area Office of Protected Species Program and the State of Hawaii`i Department of Land and Natural Resources.
To register, please contact the Sanctuary offices at the numbers provided below. Workshops are scheduled for Maui, O`ahu, Kaua`i and the Big Island (see below for schedule). All sessions are free, but registration is mandatory. Attendees will receive a 2001 Ocean Users Handbook and certificate.
Wednesday, Nov. 7th, 6:30 - 8:30
p.m.
Lahaina Intermediate School Cafeteria (Lahaina.)
Registration: (808) 879-2818
O`AHU
Thursday, Nov.8th, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Pu`uhale Elementary School Cafetorium (Honolulu)
Registration: (808) 397-2651
KAUA`I
Tuesday, Nov. 13th, 6:30 - 8:30
p.m.
Lihu`e Public Library Conference Room (Lihu`e)
Registration: (808) 246-2860
BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII
Thursday, Nov. 15th, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Natural Energy Lab (NELHA) Conference Room (Kona)
Registration: (800) 831-4888
