Honololu Issues Preliminary Ban On Shark Tours

September 22, 2009

Release from: Associated Press

HONOLULU — The Honolulu City Council has given preliminary approval to a ban on shark tour businesses operating on Oahu, according to The Honolulu Advertiser.

State law already prohibits the operation of shark tours within 4.8 kilometres of the shore. The measure before city council also would make it illegal to maintain an office, collect money and market shark tours businesses.

Some say profiting from shark tours is disrespectful because Native Hawaiians consider the animals to be sacred.

If passed, the measure would affect two businesses that currently operate out of the Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor. North Shore Shark Adventures and Hawaii Shark Encounters oppose the measure, saying their tours pose little danger to humans and little disturbance to sharks.

The Maui County Council adopted a similar ban earlier this year.