Have you ever been out scuba diving while on vacation, and have you noticed all the marine life around you? Or maybe you once stayed at a resort and took a casual walk at the beach, where you might have seen lots of tiny sea creatures crawling on the sand. If so, you most probably have been instructed by tourist guides not to touch any of these animals.
“TOUCH ME NOT”
We see a lot of content from our mutuals and famous influencers regarding their beach trips. This might have tempted you at one point to embark on a little snorkeling activity or take up free diving lessons, just so you can swim and experience being one with the creatures you might have seen in those photos and videos.
During these activities, there are many important considerations that our instructors remind us about, one of which is to look but never touch.
But why is this so? Let us dive into — pun intended — a couple of reasons.
YOU MIGHT HAVE A CURSED TOUCH
Touching marine animals poses significant harm to them.
According to a 2021 article by Laura Pulling for Dive Point Mexico , human skin contains oils and microorganisms that can hurt these animals. For instance, touching Fishes can strip off essential protective layers of their skin, predisposing them to physical injuries and life-threatening infections.
Similarly, Corals are extremely fragile. Touching them can kill hundreds of their polyps, and even a small break in hard Corals can lead to disease. A dead Coral is home to no one — this poses a huge threat to the entire reef ecosystem.
This is one of the reasons why the no-touch rule is imposed by tour guides, and following it is key to protecting our marine environment.
There are three main types of Corals: soft Corals, large polyp stony Corals, and small polyp stony Corals. Each of these houses many different marine species. When these Corals die, many animals lose their homes.
TOUCHING MEANS CAUSING STRESS
Marine animals are sensitive to human touch as it causes stress. Whenever there’s a sudden change in their environment, they sense it as a potential threat.
Touch triggers a fight-or-flight response in many animals, including sea creatures, as detailed by Carl Schreck and Lluis Tort in 2016 for the book Fish Physiology.
An interrupted environment can cause an imbalance of prey and predators. Normally, these creatures keep our ecosystem diverse and liveable.
IT DESTROYS HOME DYNAMICS
Touching these animals can disrupt nutrient cycling processes. Marine animals engage in symbiotic relationships where they utilize waste products to promote Phytoplankton growth, forming the basis of marine food webs, as highlighted in a 2010 study by Oswald Schmitz and colleagues published in Ecology Letters.
Behavioral changes can interrupt feeding and reproductive behaviors essential for nutrient recycling due to the introduction of harmful substances that disrupt biochemical balances.
These disruptions contribute to less productive marine ecosystems and, to a greater extent, impact biodiversity and the overall health of the marine environment.
LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING
Most of us have a limited amount of knowledge regarding marine life. Whenever we see a Fish, we do not know what kind of Fish it is. Or maybe what we think are stones are actually Corals.
TOUCHING A SEA ANIMAL CAN KILL YOU
In the tale of Sleeping Beauty, Aurora falls into a deep sleep after pricking her finger on a cursed spindle she was warned not to touch. Similarly, when we touch marine animals, we can cause significant harm to ourselves.
Many marine creatures carry venom and toxins as protective mechanisms — and in some cases, it takes very little for a human being to die from exposure to them. For instance, if you touch a Blue-Ringed Octopus, you will first suffer from paralysis before eventually succumbing to death in less than an hour.
Their bites are painless, so you won’t even know you’ve been envenomated. What’s worse, there is no antivenom.
Blue-Ringed Octopuses, as pretty as they are, carry enough venom to kill 26 adults. And they’re not alone: Many other sea animals are equally — or perhaps even more — deadly. Minding our own business saves not only marine creatures, but us as well.
A Blue-Ringed Octopus has painless bites, so you won’t even know you’ve been envenomated. What’s worse, there is no antivenom.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SEA ANIMALS ARE STRESSED?
The marine environment, like any ecosystem, is interconnected and interdependent. Any disruptions can cause significant changes, potentially leading to the extinction of critically endangered species.
BEHAVIORAL CHANGES
Stressed marine animals exhibit behavioral changes when touched. This makes them vulnerable to their predators.
SCARCITY TO EXTINCTION
Predators, driven by survival instinct, migrate to new habitats, competing with other animals for food resources. This competition can lead to scarcity of resources and drive species towards extinction.
FOOD WEB DISRUPTION
As the number of prey decreases and the number of predators increases, the normal carrying capacity is disrupted.
Carrying capacity is the number of predators and prey that can live in a certain area, according to Science World.
SAFE SEA SPACES
We often encounter people who touch marine animals, whether in real life or on social media. This behavior may stem from arrogance or simply a lack of awareness. It’s important to educate them about the probable risks and consequences of their actions.
As humans, our innate curiosity and appreciation for beauty can drive us to touch and interact with captivating marine life. However, it’s important to note that our actions have consequences. We are responsible for everything we do.
Humans are not the only species on this planet. Marine animals also have the right to live their lives undisturbed in their natural habitats. By respecting their space, we contribute to a healthier, more balanced ecosystem for all living beings.
