In addition to behavior changes in wild fish, fish in captivity also exhibit altered feeding behavior. Moray eels, sharks, barracuda, groupers and a host of other species are can pose an increased danger to divers as a result of hand-feeding. "On a dive vacation to Florida in 1999, I was attacked and bitten by a large green moray eel while on an interactive feeding dive.My attack was completely unprovoked, coming from behind." In a letter to Governor Bush, a diver described a bad experience as a result of feeding fish. Feeding wildlife can place people in harm's way. Hand-feeding-induced attacks on humans do occur. When people feed pelicans, harbor seals may actually bite the birds as they compete for food. For example, pelicans and harbor seals rarely come in contact with each other in a typical habitat. Combative behavior can seriously injure animals. It fosters combative behavior among species that, under usual circumstances, may never come in contact with each other. Unnatural feeding overrides normal competitive relationships among species. This intricate balance of behavior can be interrupted by the introduction of a free meal from a diver. In many cases, different species share space and alternate the use of that space by feeding at different times of day. Marine life maintains balanced ecological relationships by competing for habitat and food. The effects are unique to each marine community, but there is a measurable impact with recurring and prolonged disruption. By affecting the natural feeding behaviors, fish feeding can destabilize a number of ecological relationships including species abundance. Introducing a ration of food to a fish, even a ration of semi-natural food, is significant. These disturbances change community structure. Hand-feeding creates other ecological disturbances. Competition for the handout interferes with natural instincts and behaviors, which are essential for survival and cohabitation with other species. In carnivorous fish, sensations associated with feeding can override other associations, including predator avoidance and protection. In addition to nutritional consequences, hand-fed fish are especially vulnerable to predators. A fish conditioned to feed on diver deliveries may actually stop normal foraging patterns and become malnourished, stressed and can even die. Fish conditioned to take an easy meal from divers begin anticipating meals, which interrupts natural feeding cycles. Seasonal, daily and other temporal feeding strategies make up a fish's foraging behavior. To obtain the necessary nutrients, fish have complex feeding cycles. Fish generally consume a wide variety of prey in order to meet dietary requirements. Fish cannot make these acids on their own, and they receive these building blocks from food. Most marine fish have around 10 essential amino acids required for growth and health maintenance. Hand-feeding marine fish results in a variety of negative impacts. When this happens, fish anticipate the hand-feeding experience and depend on handouts from divers. Through behavioral conditioning, fed animals learn to associate people with a meal. Contrary to popular belief, fish have memories and can learn. Overall, feeding marine fish is a bad idea for everyone, including divers, fish and the ecosystem. After all, the fish get an easy meal, and divers get entertained, so what's the problem? You might be wondering why the FWC believes these "interactive marine experiences" are harmful. In 2001, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) unanimously voted to prohibit divers from feeding marine life in Florida. Published in Florida Fishing Weekly, Nov. Marine Fish Feeding: Why the FWC Thinks It's Bad for Everyoneįlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network.Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.Report injured, orphaned or dead manatees.Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc.
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