Vital Snorkel Tip

[dakwriter]

After reading many posts/threads on snorkeling, I feel duty-bound to advise AGAINST feeding fish at snorkeling sites. Unlike a visit to the zoo where you might feed treats especially made for the zoo animals, when snorkeling in the ocean you are visiting wild creatures in their native habitat. They definitely do not thrive on frozen peas, crackers, cookies, cereal or other foods made for land-based animals. What you don't see after you leave the beach is that many fish fed in such ways suffer and die as a result. Others do not get the nutrition they need in order to produce offspring. And the residues of such foods also damage the living coral reefs and other marine habitats.

 

I know it's tempting to draw bunches of fish to you by feeding them, but please resist the urge and enjoy viewing these animals in their native habitats -- without harming them. Thanks. :cool:

[Cozzette2]

Thank you for a reminder on taking care of our reefs and the fish that inhabit them. We have several fish tanks and there is special food for each type of fish and the wrong food causes bloat and death.

I guess if you really want to feed the fish take a small bag of tropical fish food with you.

Kris

[The Flying Pirate]

That brings up a good point. Besides being bad for the fish, it really isn't necessary to feed them while you are snorkeling. If you want to take pictures of them, it will just bring them in too close to get a good shot anyway. The good news is most of the professional dive boat operators are aware of this. Unfortunately there are other that still think it is a good idea to bring the fish closer to the "Gringos" if you see it happening you should discourage the crew from doing so.