Do you touch?

[Toadie]

I just came back from the Dominican and I managed to squeeze in 10 dives while I was there. I had a small dive party with me and the dive shop we were with put some people with us.

I noticed though that one of the women in the dive party was always touching stuff on the reef, or going after the fish.... and I have always held the belief... you don't touch.

Do you touch?

 

[justin-branam]

NO NO NO NO NO. DO NOT EVER TOUCH!!!!

When i see things like this happening, i try to make the individual aware of how fragile the marine life is, and that just a single touch can kill certain animals and corals, and that the same goes for us as well. Certain animals just need to get you once and you can have the possibility of dying from it. If they continue to do this, you can always make the dive shop/charter members aware of this. There was one instance where a gentleman was refunded his money and told to go dive elsewhere, because he kept bringing things back on the boat after being warned numerous times.

 

[Buoyant1]

Nope, only the sandy bottom!

A. want to be environmentally friendly
B. don't want to get a rash or burn or something
C. don't want to pi$$ off the 'cuda (here cuda cuda!)
D. only if the fish touches me first!

 

[gdenny]

I won't touch the reef. I have pet an octopus and a nurseshark out in the open.

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

Nope. I don't touch anything or take anything. Why would anyone want to? I try to be a gracious guest when I'm down there.

 

[Monkey Knife-fight]

Nope. I don't touch anything or take anything. Why would anyone want to? I try to be a gracious guest when I'm down there.

Pretty much sums up my attitude. I like to think i'm capable of believing something is real without poking it. People who harass animals to force a defensive mechanism really irritate me (eg puffer puffing, octopus inking).

 

[Toadie]

You know that's a good point about taking stuff. On the trip we went to a star fish field and I had the erie feeling that there should be 100's of these things.

 

[SStrecker]

No. Look but don't touch is the best policy.

 

[fishb0y]

Why can you not touch things (besides fire coral and such) under water? How would interacting with the environment in such a simple way affect it? What about dry land? Does this mean we can no longer touch trees? Not trying to start a fire here, but I have always heard this but I can never see why.

 

[Zoomer]

I have a differant opinion, however I never touch anything on the Reef but for differant reasons. First I do not believe touching a coral will kill it, I touch my coral in my Tank all the time to move it or clean without ill effects, however I never do this without a gloved hand. Reason for the glove is some corals can inflict quite a sting (fire coral). Now you can damage a coral very easly (break off a piece) by touching so it is highly advised not to touch... But keep in mind these are not stalactites and will not stop growing because of someone touching it.

One last thought, look and enjoy and leave the reef the way you found it so the next person can enjoy it as well.

Just my 2 cents