With the incredible recovery of humpback whales, NOAA recently proposed to delist them as an endangered species. The logical follow-up step is to dismantle the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Instead, NOAA is moving forward with a 24 million dollar proposal to expand their focus to much more than whales, while increasing regulations and restricting use and enjoyment of areas within the revised sanctuary boundaries.

Located mostly in state waters, the current sanctuary encloses only a fraction of the whales’ Hawaiian wintering grounds. Not only that, when the sanctuary was finally, and somewhat reluctantly, approved by the state in 1997, humpbacks were already well on the road to recovery.

While it is impossible to measure the effect of the sanctuary on whale populations, it has at least raised awareness and educated many about humpback whales. However, a laundry-list of non-governmental whale conservation organizations have been at least, if not more effective, including the Pacific Life Foundation, who recently released a giant screen film on humpback whales. An artistic masterpiece, I was glad to see the filmmakers describe how increasing whale populations are benefitting some Pacific Island economies like Hawaii by bringing in whale-loving tourists.

If the Hawaiian sanctuary were dismantled today, the scores of NGOs and businesses, together with the Hawaiian government, would make sure that humpback whales are here to stay. Unfortunately, NOAA’s monstrous 456-page Draft Management Plan reveals they have no intentions to dismantle the sanctuary. Instead, they want to expand it and attempt to micromanage everything from climate change to sea turtles. The new proposal also includes a name change to Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

Of course, along with their expanded focus comes an increase in federal regulations that could have a significant negative impact on the Hawaiian economy in three key areas: whale and dolphin viewing, surfing, and commercial fishing. NOAA’s new proposal seeks to place excessive restrictions on approaching whales and other marine mammals. And the proposed increase in sanctuary size, together with increased restrictions on anchoring within the sanctuary, could restrict access for both commercial fishermen and surfers. Big wave surfers must anchor boats and jet skis in order to access choice surfing spots.

The draft management plan lists 4 alternatives, the first one being to leave the sanctuary as is. The remaining 3 have increasing levels of federal oversight and regulatory control. What is really needed is a 5th alternative: dismantle the sanctuary. Stewardship of whales and the Hawaiian coastal waters where they winter should be the responsibility of individuals, businesses, NGOs and the State of Hawaii, not federal agencies like NOAA.

NOAA is accepting public comments on the draft management plan now through June 19, 2015. If you would like to recommend the sanctuary be dismantled, click here to leave NOAA a comment.