Man Fined $1,500 for Harassing Sea Creatures in Hawaii
A tourist in Hawaii was fined $1,500 after he touched a seal and harassed a sea turtle and posted videos of the incidents on Instagram, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says.
The Alabama man was on a trip to Kauai last year when he posted the videos to his Instagram page. NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement used his profile information on the social networking site to track down his home address. The man has agreed to pay the full fine, which was levied to educate him about federal regulations protecting marine animals, according to NOAA.
The video posted on the man's profile shows him walking up to a sleeping Hawaiian monk seal on Poipu Beach at night and then petting the animal with his hand. The seal is startled and scurries away from him. Then, the camera pans to an NOAA sign on the beach telling the public to stay away from wildlife. The caption to the video included the tag #monkseals.
Authorities also found video of the man aggressively chasing a sea turtle while browsing his Instagram page.
Hawaiian monk seals have a population of only about 1,400 in the wild and are a critically endangered species protected under federal law. All sea turtles are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act.
"Violations are usually the result of things like tourists wanting to get a good, close picture with a seal or a thrill-seeker trying to get a rush," Adam Kurtz, NOAA fisheries wildlife management coordinator, said in a statement to the Honolulu Star Advertiser. "But it's really frustrating when you see people harass these animals."
NOAA's distance guidelines for marine animals stipulate that beachgoers should leave a berth of 10 feet for sea turtles, 50 feet for monk seals, 50 yards for dolphins and small whales and 100 yards for humpback whales.
The incident has similar echoes to a bizarre situation that unfolded earlier this summer in Yellowstone National Park in which a tourist took a video of himself goading a large bison from inches away. That man was later arrested by park authorities for harassing the animal.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees