What can I touch when I dive in Monterey?

[pacificgal]

I was diving in Jamaica and my DM handed me a sea cucumber and then awhile later a conch. I found it fascinating to hold the sea cucumber, I never imagined they could have as much mass or be as leathery as it was. It was neat being able to pick something up and look at it. Now, I don't want to harrass or hurt any animals when I dive, but isn't there stuff that it's OK to interact with? Diving, are we not supposed to touch ANYTHING? I know that reefs are living things and the slightest touch can injure the animal, but what can we touch and not hurt it? (Or have it hurt us).

 

[DeputyDan]

Grandma say you will go blind doing that !!!

 

[SteveDiver]

Grandma say you will go blind doing that !!!

Not true.. I am 36 and do not wear glasses. Believe me if it were true I would be using a seeing-eye dog by now...

 

[timle]

I too was guilty of this when a DM handed me stuff in Mexico. My new rule is touch all the water you want, otherwise leave it alone.

 

[NJScubaDoc]

The prettier it is, the more deadly the toxin. I have never dived a coral reef in the gin clear waters of the world (soon enough though) but as a rule I wouldn't touch anything. Although I really wouldn't mind having a cleaner shrimp clean my teeth...that looks like fun.

 

[SubMariner]

I was diving in Jamaica and my DM handed me a sea cucumber and then awhile later a conch. I found it fascinating to hold the sea cucumber, I never imagined they could have as much mass or be as leathery as it was. It was neat being able to pick something up and look at it. Now, I don't want to harrass or hurt any animals when I dive, but isn't there stuff that it's OK to interact with? Diving, are we not supposed to touch ANYTHING? I know that reefs are living things and the slightest touch can injure the animal, but what can we touch and not hurt it? (Or have it hurt us).

To be frank, nothing.

Look all you want, but don't touch.

 

[dlndavid]

plenty of starfish, I see people touching them, myself I like to keep my hands to myself.

 

[oceanaddicted]

While I understand your curiosity, the rest of these posts are probably right, don't touch nuttin! I believe the Monterey area is a marine sanctuary....which means if you get caught, you may have to shell out some buckos in fines! Could always anonymously call a dive shop and see if they give you any info or they just plain faint from the shock of your question! Good luck!

 

[scubamickey]

I read in the DAN First Aid for Marine Life Book that if something (whether it be plantlife like Coral or animals such as fish) is really pretty or really ugly then the chances that it's poisonous is very high.

 

[jchaplain]

I was diving in Jamaica and my DM handed me a sea cucumber and then awhile later a conch. I found it fascinating to hold the sea cucumber, I never imagined they could have as much mass or be as leathery as it was. It was neat being able to pick something up and look at it. Now, I don't want to harrass or hurt any animals when I dive, but isn't there stuff that it's OK to interact with? Diving, are we not supposed to touch ANYTHING? I know that reefs are living things and the slightest touch can injure the animal, but what can we touch and not hurt it? (Or have it hurt us).

I might get flamed here, but I think that diving is a learning thing and as such it's okay to touch some stuff, sometimes, as a new diver. Picking up a sea cucumber or a conch once or twice as a new curious diver will not upset the balance of the ocean.
When I first was diving in Monterey I just had to touch a couple of the metridiums to see how they reacted. And also in Monterey I -once- caught a small octopus lightly in my hand for a second, then released it ( thats probably the worst thing I ever did and I haven't repeated it because I agree that it really isn't cool.) Picking up starfish and the likes when I was a new diver was fascinating. Petting the harbor seals was fun too.
As a more experienced diver you will touch things less, but as a new diver it is natural to want to touch -some- things to experience the ocean, but be careful and don't touch anything delicate, unknown and or possibly dangerous and don't be ripping creatures apart to see whats inside them.:jestera:
Then, for the most part , be respectful, give the critters a break and leave them alone.
But diving in Boston I not only touch some critters, I take them home and eat them!!!!
( Lobsters ) In Cali they go after the abalone.

John C.