Hands off Marine Life
Many of us all already planning our diving vacations looking for amazing places rich in marine flora and fauna.
We enjoy a lot swim among big schools of fish and encounter large creatures.
However, we have to consider seriously our role in this environment.
Indeed, the marine environment is very sensitive and the misbehave of snorkelers and divers is usually a very negative factor to the quality of this system.
I see on the web photos with happy divers with sensitive creatures in their hands.
Is that ok for those creatures?
Lets talk about touching marine creatures:
Touching marine creatures, we transmit bacteria from our bare hands which can be dangerous to the endangered animals since they are totally alien to their immune system and have no defense to them.
Marine animals have a protective layer of microorganisms called a mucus layer or slime coat, this layer serves as a dual-function shield, acting as a barrier against their immediate environment and harboring antimicrobial components for innate immunity. When we touch this delicate mucus layer, we strip it away and introduce our own colony of microorganisms. This disruption compromises their protective barrier, opening the door to potential diseases and life-threatening symptoms.
Sun creams that we use can also be hazardous to sea creatures.
Then, attempting to closely approach or touch marine animals could seriously injure them, cause them to flee, or evoke aggressive behavior, using up the precious energy they need to perform basic life activities.
Engaging with the underwater world entails a responsibility to minimize our impact, particularly when it comes to physical interactions. Delicate ecosystems, such as coral structures, take years to form, preserving a delicate balance and intricate symbiotic relationships crucial for survival. Corals, featuring a thin layer of tissue covering intricate limestone structures developed over their lifetimes, are highly vulnerable to damage. Any breakage or harm to this tissue can expose them to bacterial infections and diseases, posing a severe threat to the entire coral colony. Even the gentlest touch can break off these fragile corals, disrupting their growth and leaving them vulnerable to potential predators.
We should only observe marine life with our eyes, hand contact is unacceptable.
As well as trying to move rocks and stones so you can see a lobster, or an octopus hiding there. In doing so, we create an imbalance in the ecosystem by crushing, damaging, destroying habitat, which sometimes protect dozens of species of fauna and flora.
Do we need more reasons not to touch marine animals? what about common sence and simple respect for nature!
How would you like to be followed and poked with a finger in your house?
Let’s remember a golden rule that we all learn as children: You should treat others as You would like to be treated!
As responsible divers we should be mindful of our actions and set an example for others. Let's avoid following or endorsing irresponsible behaviors often seen on social media. By keeping our hands to ourselves, we contribute to the well-being of the ocean and its inhabitants!
