Question about bringing live critters to the surface

[SNorman]

If I'm doing a shore dive in Puget Sound, are there any interesting sea creatures that I could not possibly harm by bringing up to the shore for a bit, then let them go? If possible I would like to show something to my kids.

 

[drbill]

Depends in part on the depth and on whether they have any air cavities or swim bladders. Keep in mind that the greatest % change in pressure is in the last 33 ft (2 atmospheres to one). Bringing up creatures with air bladders from even relatively shallow depths can cause over-expansion, and the possibility they can not easily be brought back down afterwards.

 

[adrisen]

Take pictures and leave the critters behind

 

[midwayman]

Starfish maybe?

 

[Steele]

Take pictures and leave the critters behind

Or take aim and float'em up.

 

[pontosmina]

Please do not take any critters out of the water--as a proud coral-reef-aquarium owner I know that the slightest of interference/touching of marine creatures can stress and harm them tremendously. I haven't been diving yet (certification dives this weekend, yeeeeeeeeey!!!) and I don't know what common practices are, but I would expect that divers just watch and do not touch or disturb marine life. At least that's what I am planning to do I remember that when I was a kid, my dad used to bring me little fish or creatures back from his dives in the Black Sea. Now I realize how many of them must have perished in my hands, or subsequently in the water after being crazy stressed out at the surface. Now I feel sorry that I ever asked him to do that

 

[_Bella_]

Why not take them to an aquarium or marine park that has a touch pool?

 

[Damselfish]

or find some tide pools to check out before or after.

 

[merxlin]

Please do not take any critters out of the water--as a proud coral-reef-aquarium owner I know that the slightest of interference/touching of marine creatures can stress and harm them tremendously. I haven't been diving yet (certification dives this weekend, yeeeeeeeeey!!!) and I don't know what common practices are, but I would expect that divers just watch and do not touch or disturb marine life. At least that's what I am planning to do I remember that when I was a kid, my dad used to bring me little fish or creatures back from his dives in the Black Sea. Now I realize how many of them must have perished in my hands, or subsequently in the water after being crazy stressed out at the surface. Now I feel sorry that I ever asked him to do that

OK , I know this is a hijack. Sorry. I used to build reef aquariums, and managed a store with 40+ salt tanks in the late 80's. I am happy I didn't do it for long once I learned a few things about the hobby. I would not use the term "proud owner" in reference to reef tanks, or any salt water tank. Unlike most of the fresh water fishes which can be captive bred, most salt fish, corals, and invertebrates were wild caught, and usually by almost lethal means via cyanide or other neurotoxins. The death rate was typically very high (over 50% if I remember right, plus another 10% at the store, plus those that didn't survive the introduction to the tank). The hobbyists will always clean it up a bit in their view of things (http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/10/aafeature1). I guess I find it hypocritical that you would plead that someone not take something from the ocean. Where did all that stuff in your aquarium come from? So now, instead of it being out there for all of us to see and having it's place in the ecosystem, it is in a tank for only your pleasure, until it suffers an untimely death. Once you dive hopefully you will understand that all those things belong exactly where they are and not on your bookcase. JMHO, your sac rate may vary (and be compared).

 

[AquaHump]

Bring the sea critter up and a few of his friends. show the kids and then eat the sea critters.

You can't lose its a show and a meal. WIN WIN