Respect for the Manatees

Posted on Mar, 2011 in Home/Experience/Respect for the Manatees

Whether you’re a professional diver, oceanographer, or just a fool off the street, you have had some exposure to the deep-sea world. Through film and television alone, our society has placed such a large emphasis on life underwater. (We’ve all heard of the movie Free Willy and the television show Flipper.) Zoological gardens and science education within our school systems has fueled this interest as well, giving all of us a chance to learn about marine life, even if we don’t have access to the ocean.

763347 300x206 Respect for the ManateesBut for the divers out there, how often do you hope for an encounter with a marine mammal? Or, if you have had opportunity to come into contact with one of these animals, how wonderful was your experience? Although most would consider this underwater interaction to be otherworldly and magical, there are some who beg to differ.

Manatees for example, are beloved mammals that everyone tends to flock to, and most would consider an attempt to view them as harmless. But when does a desire to interact these animals become harmful? This question has been debated for years now, with some believing that even being in the presence of a wild animal is harmful to the species. Rather than analyzing each point of the argument, and trying to decide what is right and wrong in this complicated matter, we here at Dip n Dive would instead like to offer some helpful hints in how to avoid harassment of marine animals- manatees specifically.  Search the internet, as there are tons of operators offering tours to see manatees in Florida. If you want to see those mammals in their natural habitat Crystal River, Florida is one of the wonderful places where you will be able to snorkel and see these wonderful creatures in real life.By the way  all the pictures you see n this article were taken at Crystal River, specifically at Three Sisters springs.

801525 300x203 Respect for the ManateesThese tips will not only guarantee a pleasurable experience for you, but will provide a peaceful atmosphere for the manatee as well:

1. Only use snorkel gear when around manatees, as the sounds from scuba gear will frighten them.

2. Never feed a manatee.

3. Do not chase a manatee, this includes only taking as many pictures that the animal will allow.

4. Respect the animals’ personal space and keep a fair distance away.

5. Do not place yourself between a manatee and the rest of the herd.

6. Keep all foreign objects away from the manatee, and do not reach out and prod or poke the animal.

833414 300x200 Respect for the ManateesObserving life underwater first-hand when making a dive can be one of the most beautiful experiences that a person can have. To be in direct view of sea creatures in their natural surroundings can provide for a very humbling interaction. If you keep these pointers in mind as you encounter manatees, you will grant them the respect that they deserve.

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