Give animals an exit
Never block a seal, turtle or bird from water or shelter.
If an animal changes direction because of you, you are already too close.
Tide pools need soft eyes
Wet hands are still risky for delicate animals. Looking closely is better than lifting and rearranging.
Step on bare rock when possible and avoid crushing algae beds or hidden shells.
Boats should slow early
Speed and sudden course changes create stress before people notice it.
Parallel movement at a distance is safer than chasing for a better photo.
Field Takeaways
- Distance is part of the experience.
- Do not feed wild marine animals.
- Photos are not worth changing behavior.