Are manta rays too popular?
The gentle sea creatures are a top attraction in West Hawaii, where snorkelers and divers watch them glide out from the darkness almost within reach as they search for concentrations of plankton, their food source, after twilight.
But without regulations on the size of their audience, one Big Island lawmaker believes what should be a one-of-a-kind experience could also create safety issues.
“I’ve heard from many people about their experience going out to swim with the manta rays and how it was very scary because of the number of people snorkeling at the top, the number of boats, and there didn’t seem to be any control over the quantity,” Rep. Cindy Evans, D-Kohala, North Kona, said.
Evans has introduced a bill that would require the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to create a permitting system for manta ray viewing. The bill does not say what restrictions would be put into effect, only that limits would be established.
David Muensterman, Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii operations manager, said he wasn’t sure the legislation is needed. He added he believes tour companies do a good job at regulating themselves, including instructing customers how to behave in the water and notifying other boats of their presence.
“Everyone stays safe out there,” Muensterman said. “Have they seen to the extent of how we perform out there?”
Evans said she is also concerned about snorkelers and divers not part of tour groups adding to the problem.
But she acknowledged that regulations might be difficult to enforce on a regular basis.
“All they have to do is go out there a few times and develop a rapport with the tour operators,” Evans said.
“And I believe there would be a lot of self-enforcement.”
For the safety of the manta rays, contact with them should also be avoided, said Jim Beets, a marine science professor with the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
“If they (come into contact) … they can introduce bacteria to the mucus layer of their skin,” he said.
Muensterman said customers are informed of how to avoid contact with manta rays.
“Snorkelers keep their hands and feet on top of the surface of the water,” he said. “There is absolutely no free diving at all.”
The House Ocean, Marine Resources and Hawaiian Affairs Committee gave the legislation, HB 1684, a positive recommendation Jan. 24. The Finance Committee will consider it next.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.