U.S. flag An official website of the United States government.
				Here's how you know we're official. **Official websites use .gov** A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure websites use HTTPS** A small lock or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to a .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Toggle navigation Toggle search National Ocean Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
 Search
					Search National Ocean Service


Home
				Ocean Facts

				Topics
					Explore All Topics 
                        Arctic 
                        Careers 
                        Economy 
                        Ecosystems 
                        Geodesy 
                        Hazards 
                        International
                        Navigation 
                        Observations 
                        Ocean 
                        Recreation 
                         Sea Level Rise 
                        Story Maps 
                        Tools
                
                			Education

				
				News
				Podcasts
				Video
				Images
				About Us


1. Home
2. Facts
3. What is ocean etiquette?

**What is ocean etiquette?**  Promoting **responsible encounters** with marine wildlife and their natural habitats.
It appears that your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.
					Here's a direct link to
					the video instead.
		
		VIDEO: What is ocean etiquette? Here's an overview in under 30 seconds. Transcript
		Marine Wildlife Viewing Guidelines
		

		Learn before you go. Read about the wildlife, viewing sites, and local regulations to get the most from your wildlife viewing experience.
				Keep your distance. Use binoculars, spotting scopes, and cameras with zoom lenses to get a closer look.
				Hands off. Never touch, handle, or ride marine wildlife. Touching wildlife, or attempting to do so, can injure the animal, put you at risk, and may also be illegal for certain species.
				Do not feed or attract wildlife. Feeding or attempting to attract wildlife with food, decoys, sound, or light disrupts normal feeding cycles, may cause sickness or death from unnatural or contaminated food items, and habituates animals to people.
				Never chase or harass wildlife. Never completely surround the animal, trap an animal between a vessel and shore, block its escape route, or come between mother and young.
				Stay away from wildlife that appears abandoned or sick. Some marine animals, such as seals, leave the water or are exposed at low tide as part of their natural life cycle—there may be nothing wrong with them. If you think an animal is in trouble, contact local authorities for advice or report it to the NOAA Fisheries stranding network.
			More marine wildlife viewing guidelines, specifically when viewing wildlife in national marine sanctuaries, are available online.
			
			Video Transcript
			Wildlife vewing is a popular recreational activity. Remember to alawys keep a safe distance, just like theses coral reef divers.

		
		More **Information**
					Sanctuaries Wildlife Viewing Guidelines
					Fisheries Marine Life Viewing Guidelines

					

					

					
					
					**Search** Our facts
					
					

					

					
					
					Get **Social**
					Social
			
			**Last updated:**
					01/20/23
					**Author:** NOAA
					How to cite this article
					Contact Us


Feedback Provide Feedback
							Contact Us
							Report an error
 Social Instagram Logo/a>


*Science. Service.Stewardship.*
 About NOS About Us
							NOS Program Offices
							Media Inquiries
							Website Acknowledgements
                            Site Index
							Disclaimer
 More Resources Freedom of Information Act
							Accessibility
							Information Quality
							Privacy Policy
							NOS For Employees
							USA.gov
 Department of Commerce
									National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
									National Ocean Service