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To touch or not to touch… that is the question!

Published 3 years agoon February 22, 2023

I’m in two minds about writing this article as I don’t want divers to think I support general handling and chasing wildlife. I don’t. However I do support gentle communication through touch with other species when the conditions are right. A prime example of this in the film ‘My Octopus Teacher’ which can be seen on Netflix or the trailer on Youtube HERE.

The excerpt below is from a video interview I did with Dove Joans – author, artist, creative conservationist, host, storyteller and explorer – where she asked me on my feelings about touching marine life. For me, my words apply to all marine wildlife from the great whales to the smallest sand crab.

The two part full interview we shared can be seen at https://www.scubaverse.com/jeff-chats-to-dove-joans-aka-dolphingirl-and-gets-an-insight-into-her-wonderful-world-watch-video/ and https://www.scubaverse.com/creative-conservationist-dove-joans-interviews-scubaverse-editor-at-large-and-underwater-film-maker-jeff-goodman-part-2-of-2-watch-video/

A few years ago I came across this diver doing everything I deplore about chasing and touching marine life. After the dive we had a good chat. SO, THIS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF WHAT NOT TO DO!

Jeff Goodman

Jeff is a multiple award winning, freelance TV cameraman/film maker and author. Having made both terrestrial and marine films, it is the world's oceans and their conservation that hold his passion with over 10.000 dives in his career. Having filmed for international television companies around the world and author of two books on underwater filming, Jeff is Author/Programme Specialist for the 'Underwater Action Camera' course for the RAID training agency. Jeff has experienced the rapid advances in technology for diving as well as camera equipment and has also experienced much of our planet’s marine life, witnessing, first hand, many of the changes that have occurred to the wildlife and environment during that time. Jeff runs bespoke underwater video and editing workshops for the complete beginner up to the budding professional.