No touching the wildlife

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Cussy

I presume the shark was a basker or whale shark. Then grabbing hold isn't good and will distress the animal. If these creatures get irritated then that can have big impacts on breeding and feeding; they are already in danger.
Rob

No it wasn't either a basker or whaleshark, not that the type of shark makes a difference - well not to me anyway.

[Chriz]

Originally Posted by Fiona

No it wasn't either a basker or whaleshark, not that the type of shark makes a difference - well not to me anyway.

Makes no difference!!!...Whaleshark makes a much nicer soup! Tsk!!



Chris

[Justin Owen]

I agree with Terry...

While I wouldn't condone grabbing hold of sharks and/or stressing animals out, at the end of the day there are things down there that are interested in us and will happily interact with you... Seals certainly don't appear to take any notice of the look-don't-touch policy when I've dived with them!!!

[CatB]

Originally Posted by Justin Owen

I agree with Terry...

While I wouldn't condone grabbing hold of sharks and/or stressing animals out, at the end of the day there are things down there that are interested in us and will happily interact with you... Seals certainly don't appear to take any notice of the look-don't-touch policy when I've dived with them!!!

There are actually some sites where dolphins in particular will indeed come to play with people off boats but there are concerns now that they are spending more time than they usually would playing, and less hunting, sleeping, etc. I came across this research while looking at conservation volunteering projects and I can't remember where it was. I have feeling that they were considering allowing boats to go out to the dolphins only between fixed hours of the day.

[Justin Owen]

Wouldn't surprise me... Like the rays that come and hassle you in Tenerife (well they used to till the fish farms tempted them all away - but that's another story...!) there behaviour has obviously been influenced by the divers in the water...

At the end of the day, if you are seriously that concerned about interacting with the wildlife, you shouldn't go diving - or at least choose your sites carefully!

All about common sense and balance at the end of the day...