Swimming with dolphins in the wild is a popular attraction among tourists and even some locals. But what's fun for humans is a cause of stress for the intelligent marine creatures, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Tour companies on the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the island of Hawaii take customers to dolphin resting areas every day. The creatures are thus deprived of rest and burn calories at a higher rate, the federal agency claims.
"All of these things can contribute to a reduction of fitness over time — this kind of chronic level of stress. That's what we're concerned about," said the assistant regional administrator of the agency's protected resources division for the Pacific Islands, Ann Garrett.
The agency is proposing that swimmers and vessels stay a minimum of 50 yards from dolphins.
The agency is set to hold public meetings on the proposal next month and expects to make a final decision on the regulations next year.