Ocean Rules for When You Wind Up Close to an Animal
Taking to the Pacific Ocean on your paddle board, kayak, or motorboat can be the perfect way to relax this summer in California. But do you know what to do if you come into contact with one of the ocean’s many creatures? Some people have misconceptions about the dos and don’ts of interacting with sea life – leading to injured animals and hefty fines. Do your part to keep ocean animals safe by learning what to do when you come into contact with them.
Turn Off Your Boat and Keep a Safe Distance
As soon as you detect an ocean animal beneath or near your boat, cut the engine and drift without motorized means until you can safely assume the animal has cleared the area near your propellers. Whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and other ocean animals can come close to your boat and the boat’s spinning metal propellers can injure them. If you ignore “No Wake” zones, you can disrupt an animal’s habitat and cause significant damage. Turn off your engine in these zones and drift until you’re in the clear.
Remember, almost every animal has the propensity to be dangerous if it feels threatened. While many ocean animals aren’t naturally aggressive, they may become so if they believe their territory, family, or personal safety is at risk. Always keep a safe distance from ocean animals, even if you believe the animal is not aggressive. Admire them from afar, but don’t attempt to creep closer or encroach on a school of marine life.
Don’t Attempt to Touch Sea Creatures
For your safety and the animals’ safety, never attempt to touch sea creatures you encounter in the ocean. Numerous sea animals are venomous or can bite, including stingrays, jellyfish, and even coral. Sea urchins have spikes covered in venom, and the California cone is a snail with venom-injecting teeth. These creatures can bite, sting, or impart venom on victims with a single touch. Larger ocean animals such as sharks and barracudas can inflict large wounds, dismember, and kill humans.
If you encounter a dolphin or whale, it may be tempting to reach out and stroke their skin. While this may seem harmless, you should do your best to limit your interactions with sea life. If sea creatures become too accustomed to interacting with humans, especially in marinas or ports, they may begin to trust people, and some people won’t have their best interests in mind when they approach an animal.
Never Feed an Ocean Animal
It’s easy to fall into the bad habit of feeding sea life you encounter on the ocean. Whether you want to be friendly or you drop food in the water by accident, animals eating human food can only lead to negative consequences. Animals can become dependent on human food and stop fending for themselves – leading to imbalances in aquatic life, and thus, imbalances in the ocean’s natural environment.
What to Do if You Feel Threatened By an Animal
If you find yourself in the danger zone of a potentially hazardous ocean animal, stay calm. If possible, detour your watercraft around the animal. If you’re in the water, swim slowly and quietly. If a water animal stings you, don’t panic or thrash around. The pain of the stings will wear away, but you don’t want to attract larger animals. Creating loud noises underwater, such as banging metal, can often scare away dangerous creatures such as barracudas and sharks. Shout for help and get out of the water as soon as possible.
If you sustain an injury from an ocean animal while swimming in a privately owned stretch of beach or on a guided sea tour, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. Contact Liljegren Law Group for more information about your rights under maritime law.