Did you have them sign a waiver?
As long as everyone plays by the rules (no touching, etc.) it seems to be fine for them. Unlike shark dives, there is no real encouragement to bring them in other than light, which concentrates their normal food source. It seems to me that if this was harmful, they woudl just not show up. I know the dive ops work with the Pacific Manta Foundation (?) to monitor the manta dives. I've done it and it was remarkable. If these dives make these magnificent creatures more personal to all of us, there is the benefit of many more people becoming advocates for their protection.
As long as everyone plays by the rules (no touching, etc.) it seems to be fine for them. Unlike shark dives, there is no real encouragement to bring them in other than light, which concentrates their normal food source. It seems to me that if this was harmful, they woudl just not show up. I know the dive ops work with the Pacific Manta Foundation (?) to monitor the manta dives. I've done it and it was remarkable. If these dives make these magnificent creatures more personal to all of us, there is the benefit of many more people becoming advocates for their protection.
