#dolphin maui
Morbillivirus Disease Found in Deceased Dolphin on Maui in 2018, Raises Concerns
After two years of investigating the cause of death of a Fraser’s dolphin that was stranded on Maui in 2018, researchers discovered a novel strain of morbillivirus, a marine mammal disease responsible for deadly outbreaks among dolphins and whales worldwide.
Scientific Paper Uses PWF Tour Vessels to Examine Dolphin Species Distribution
The study focused on the four most frequently sighted species in Maui Nui — the Pantropical spotted dolphin, the spinner dolphin, the common bottlenose dolphin and the more elusive false killer whale — and revealed a concerning lack of applicable information regarding the distribution of these populations.
Ban on Spinner Dolphin Approach Proposed
Commercial swim-with-dolphin programs would lose their main draw if a ban is passed that seeks to prohibit approaching Hawaiian spinner dolphins within 50 yards
Maui Dolphin Season is Year-Round
While the wintering whales often get much of the attention on Maui, dolphins are found year round off Maui’s shores. Dolphins, like whales, are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the state prohibits intentional swimming with dolphins in Hawaiian waters.
