The reason we go diving and snorkeling is not to swim around aimlessly in the water; it’s to see all the beautiful life that exists below the surface of the oceans. Observing marine life is exciting and can be life-changing, but behaving incorrectly can have a devastating impact on the creatures that we love to see so much!
Research estimates that there are over 700,000 marine species in existence, with about 2/3 still unidentified. But unfortunately, the marine life extinction rate may mean that many may disappear before we can even identify them! There are numerous threats to marine life, including climate change, overfishing, oil spills, plastic pollution, and other forms of ocean dumping. But on top of that, our interactions with marine life also play a role. Not only do our interactions impact marine life, but they can also be dangerous for us if we don’t react in the right way.
But marine life will inevitably approach you in the water, so what do you do if that happens?
The fragility of marine life
As divers and snorkelers, we are the best advocates for the ocean and marine life. The ocean doesn’t have its own voice, so it’s our job to give it a voice! The ocean ecosystem is incredibly fragile. It is impacted by various moving parts, from the smallest plankton to the largest whale. Even the slightest changes in the ocean ecosystem, such as stressing out and disturbing marine life, can have a huge domino effect.
If we want to continue to enjoy experiences with marine life for years to come, we have to behave in a way that doesn’t negatively impact them.
Why you shouldn’t touch marine life
You may have seen people playing with sea cucumbers and high-fiving dolphins at your local aquarium, but that doesn’t mean it’s ethical or safe. Nowadays, everyone has GoPros, underwater phone covers, and social media, making it easy to document underwater adventures.
Unfortunately, some people set a bad example by using these tools to record harmful wildlife interactions, such as reaching out and petting a sea turtle or trying to grab the fin of a dolphin or whale shark. This creates a sense of normalization, encouraging others to do the same. But touching marine life is never ok, and here are some of the reasons why.
Habitat destruction
Coral grows slowly at a rate of only about 0.3 to 2 centimeters per year. Around 25% of marine animals are dependant on coral reefs to survive, which includes over 4000 types of fish. If you kick or touch coral, you could easily destroy a habitat home to many other species of marine life.
Causes stress to marine life
Chasing or touching marine life stresses them out. As an ocean lover, you want to avoid causing unnecessary stress to the animals that live there. Stress often impacts the behaviors of marine life and can cause them to leave their homes or migrate to avoid stressful interactions in the future. Every form of marine life chooses its location specifically, and many species rely on each other to thrive. When animals start leaving their habitat because of stress caused by humans, it impacts the entire ecosystem.
You put yourself at risk
Marine life can also pose a danger to you. Many fish have venomous spines, such as lionfish, stargazers, and stonefish. If you’re stung, it can result in extreme pain, temporary paralysis, tissue death, overall muscle weakness, and even death. Stingrays are also venomous, and their sting can lead to cardiotoxicity, which causes damage to the heart muscle.
Many marine animals have sharp teeth or beaks that can severely damage the human body. For example, hawksbill turtles have an incredibly sharp beak that they use to crush oysters and barnacles, and although they aren’t typically aggressive, they could snap at you if you disturb them enough. And let’s not even get started on sharks!
Can expose marine life to disease or toxins
By touching underwater animals, you could unknowingly spread disease to them. Or you may expose them to toxic chemicals such as those found in sunscreen or cosmetic products.
The best way to mitigate all risks to both marine life and yourself is by sticking to a strict no-touch policy. Never touch any marine life, and you won’t risk hurting them or injuring yourself.
What if marine life approaches you in the water?
As snorkelers and divers, we have the privilege to enter the underwater world and observe creatures that many don’t get the chance to see. Just as we are interested in getting up close and personal with marine life, some marine life may also be curious about you! It’s not uncommon for marine animals to swim near you out of curiosity.
It’s your job to always keep a safe and respectful distance. Bear in mind that underwater currents can pull you in directions you don’t want to go, so you always want to give yourself some extra room. Maintain control by using high-quality fins to allow you to maneuver effectively in the water and keep you away from marine animals and plant life.
And lastly, don’t chase them. Chasing marine life will likely cause them to swim away faster and end your interaction quickly. By giving them space, they will stick around longer, giving you the chance to observe them for a longer period of time and get some more photos and videos of your experience!
