No touching the wildlife

[Fiona]

I am just looking at a website of a dive operation which is being suggested for a trip.

One of the photos clearly shows a diver on scuba holding on with both hands to a sharks dorsal fin, on another page the snorkeler is reaching out to touch a dolphin in two photos.

Now while I accept people will do what they like I don't think a dive operation should be condoning this type of behaviour.

This is certainly not a dive operation I would pay money to go with and I don't understand their motives for adding this photos to their webpage.

[Jules]

Name and shame them or better still send them an email to point out that their pictures don't set a good example.

Remember the feedback we gave to deepblue on their logo? I do think Jeff understood where we were coming from.

Why is your little figure in your avatar now gone red? is it Santa-esque version?

Jules

[Fiona]

I did consider naming the boat but as someone is trying to get a trip together I didn't think it was appropriate but I have sent them an email.

Yes gone all red for Christmas

[Finless]

I'm not sure I see the problem. All the critters in question can easily evade a scuba diver?

Do you have a problem with people stroking cats and dogs etc? It is a natural reaction, I would imagine, to want to touch a dolphin. If it doesn't want to be touched then surely it won't be? I'm pretty sure that I would try and feel quite pleased if I was allowed to do so? [EDIT]I didn't mention that would be done the same as if trying to stroke an uknown dog ie very carefully and slowly and so that the dolphin can see the approaching hand.

And. as for 'grabbing hold of a shark' I would imagine 'Wristy' will soon learn a lesson? Anyway, isn't teaching sharks to fear humans a good thing? Unless they get cross and want to get 'even' I suppose. All I know about sharks is what I've seen on TV and I can't see how a diver could get hold of one or hang on if it was serious about getting rid of the burden. Perhaps it thought the diver was a fat noisy remora?

[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

[Finless]

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

Well, I wouldn't try to grab hold of any shark and esp the ones you mentioned as they are literally awesome.

I'm sure that continued harrassment would distress them but would they even notice a single diver given their size? I would have thought the noise from lots of chasing boats would distress them more? Of course, I am only "supposing".

[Finless]

Perhaps not, then.

[TerryH]

I'm reminded of the Tanya video where they are chasing Whale sharks.
A second after belating a load of tourists for being close to the shark, you guessed it, they were doing exactly the same.

Seems it's not ok for the great unwashed, but is ok for her.

Bottom line is that if you dont want to stress aquatic animals, then dont
get in the water at all, period.

Simple maxim. If they play with you (dolphins/seals etc.) ok, if they dont
or cant swim fast enough to get away, then leave them alone.

Best ones to decide are the creatures themselves.

[JasonP]

Originally Posted by TerryH

I'm reminded of the Tanya video where they are chasing Whale sharks.
A second after belating a load of tourists for being close to the shark, you guessed it, they were doing exactly the same.

I've snorkelled with whale sharks. It really didn't seem to bother them much. At times they swam straight at you and you actually had to get out of their way. A couple of them didn't want to know, but they just dived down and disappeared. As long as there aren't loads of boats doing the same thing, it is very easy for them to swim away.

Jason

[Finless]

Originally Posted by TerryH

..............or cant swim fast enough to get away, then leave them alone.

I didn't know starfish had that level of awareness?

Best ones to decide are the creatures themselves.

Def gets my support.