Marine Life
We are humans. Humans are naturally curious species, that is why we tend to explore things given to us on this planet. We explore things that are sometimes harmful to the earth itself too. We are never meant to breathe underwater, but humans are too smart to stop exploring. That is why we scuba dive. Being scuba diver, we are sure to know that we must not touch marine life. But what is the reason behind it? Here are some reasons why we shouldn’t touch marine animals.
Humans have done so much harm to marine life. Overfishing, oil drill, bomb fishing, lots and lots of pollution, and many more. With that being done, why do we think we deserve the ocean? Because the oceans are beautiful and mysterious. That is why we need to protect it.
There are many tourism activities that are based at sea. Diving and snorkelling are some of them. Divers know not to touch marine life, it has been taught to them. But what about snorkelers, many of them may experience snorkelling for the first time. They might have the urge to touch sea turtles coming to them or stand on the corals because they still feel uncomfortable in the water. Do you know how harmful it can be?
It Is Harmful To Marine Animals
Marine animals are fragile creatures, and corals are one of them. Yes, corals are also animals; they are actually related to jellyfish. Corals grow slowly, just a few centimetres per year. But one stroke from a snorkeler’s fins can break those growths and even kill them altogether. They will lose colour, and we would not want to see all dead corals while in the ocean right?
Corals are also the home of various marine animals such as fishes, shrimps, crabs, and so on. A dead coral that cannot protect or be the home for these animals can harm the animals living in it.
It Is Harmful To You
Touching a marine animal can give them stress, even being near them or chasing them too. When they feel threatened, don’t be surprised when they take a defensive measure. Predators of the ocean might attack you if you chase them or enter their territory, such as sharks. Colourful animals tend to be venomous, so don’t even try only if you want to be poisoned. Blue ring octopus and cone shells for example. Injuries from marine animals can vary from just a scratch to an unavoidable death. So make sure you respect their territories and have more knowledge about them.
Other harm to you can happen if you post a photo or video of you touching marine animals without research purposes like tagging or freeing them from nets. Posting this kind of content to social media will attract negative feedback to you. It may harm your mental health.
So how do we avoid it?
Just don’t touch them if you do not have the knowledge. Even if you do, do not touch them. Improve your diving or snorkelling techniques so you feel comfortable in the ocean. Know about the animal, which can seriously harm you and which you can seriously harm. Help us sustain their place to live.
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