Investment banker Carl James filed a complaint with the National Marine Fisheries Service this week claiming he was harassed by a Hawaiian Monk seal at Kaanapali Beach. The California native said he was asleep on the popular West Maui beach when he was approached by the critically endangered species.
“I was sleeping, minding my own business, when I got this sudden whiff of fish breath,” James said. “I opened my eyes and this seal was like a foot from my face saying, ‘Come on! Move! Do something! You’re so boring!’”
According to James, the seal then kicked some sand in his general direction and snapped a photo with his cell phone before returning to the sea.
“It isn’t right,” said William Jacobson, assistant administrator of the NOAA Fisheries Service. “When a visitor is hauled out on the beach like this it’s because they’re fatigued and need their rest. Disturbing them is inappropriate, unsafe and unwise.”
Jacobson said this type of harassment is rare, but does occasionally happen when Maui’s seals and tourists share the same shoreline.
“We try and educate. We put the word out that if you come across a sleeping tourist you should just to leave them be,” Jacobson said. “But there will always be those who find the situation just too tempting and try to get a rise out of the creatures.”
“I was sleeping, minding my own business, when I got this sudden whiff of fish breath,” James said. “I opened my eyes and this seal was like a foot from my face saying, ‘Come on! Move! Do something! You’re so boring!’”
According to James, the seal then kicked some sand in his general direction and snapped a photo with his cell phone before returning to the sea.
“It isn’t right,” said William Jacobson, assistant administrator of the NOAA Fisheries Service. “When a visitor is hauled out on the beach like this it’s because they’re fatigued and need their rest. Disturbing them is inappropriate, unsafe and unwise.”
Jacobson said this type of harassment is rare, but does occasionally happen when Maui’s seals and tourists share the same shoreline.
“We try and educate. We put the word out that if you come across a sleeping tourist you should just to leave them be,” Jacobson said. “But there will always be those who find the situation just too tempting and try to get a rise out of the creatures.”
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