Dear Annie,

On a recent dive trip, my guide made a habit of disturbing marine animals so I could take photos of coveted species. I signaled him not to do this, but he continued. How should I handle this in the future?

—Concerned Photographer

Dear Concerned Photographer,

I feel your pain. This has been an issue for as long as I’ve been diving. Many dive guides aim to please their clients, especially underwater photographers with specific wish lists. But poking, prodding or repositioning marine life for a photo isn’t just unethical—it can be harmful to marine life.

As open water divers, we’re taught not to touch, harass, or feed marine animals. Interfering with them can cause physical harm, alter their natural behavior, and damage fragile ecosystems. With more divers carrying cameras, a global movement toward ethical underwater photography has emerged. Welcome to the movement!

If you feel comfortable, speak with the guide directly. Let them know you’re excited to photograph the species on your wish list but not if that comes at the expense of disturbing them.

I often say: “As an underwater filmmaker, I aim to capture animals in their natural state. If you move them, they often go into a defensive mode or try to hide. Please point out animals to me, but don’t disturb them—I’m happy to wait patiently for the ones that want to be movie stars.”

If you witness unethical or illegal behavior, document it with photos or video. You can share the evidence with the individual, the dive operator, or (if warranted) report it to local authorities. In Hawaii, people have been fined for harassing turtles. Thailand has enacted strict rules to protect coral reefs from careless photographers and beginner divers. Many countries regulate encounters with whale sharks and other marine megafauna to protect the animals from unknowledgeable or unethical people.

Related Reading: How Can I Help Protect the Ocean?

It’s worth noting that not all divers share the mindset of a conservationist. Some even expect guides to manipulate marine life for better photos or videos and become upset if guides don’t meet their expectations. As an instructor and group leader, I always set expectations with my divers. When diving in group settings with others I might not know, I often speak with fellow divers if I see troubling behavior. It’s important to always be a voice for the animals if we see harmful behavior.

If directly addressing the guide feels uncomfortable, talk with the dive manager. Many dive operations have a code of conduct or marine-life interaction guidelines. In today’s selfie-driven world, these policies are more important than ever. Dive operators often have clients go through a course or sign off that they will not harass animals while diving.

In marine protected areas, local authorities oversee wildlife interactions. If the dive operator fails to act—or you witness major violations—you can report the incident. This isn’t just an issue in certain parts of the world. Disrespect for marine life happens globally, and we must hold each other accountable.

In my hometown of Edmonds, Washington, all beaches are marine sanctuaries. This means no collecting or harvesting is allowed. Yet, in recent months, I’ve seen spearfishing by both freedivers and scuba divers, which is illegal in our waters. When I’ve approached the divers, I’ve been met with aggression. After consulting our city council, I was advised to contact the police when witnessing these violations on our beaches as it’s against our city codes.

Whether you’re diving locally or abroad, it’s essential to know your role as an ocean steward and understand how to respond to protect our marine world.

Related Reading: Am I Ready to Take the PADI Rescue Diver Course?

Before booking your next dive trip, research dive operators that are PADI AWARE or part of the Green Fins movement. This increases the likelihood that they’ll be operating responsibly, though it does not guarantee it. Learn about your destination’s environmental policies and the operator’s reputation. Let your fingers do the work before your fins and camera touch the water.

As divers, we carry a responsibility far beyond our own images. Every interaction beneath the surface ripples around the world—impacting ecosystems, influencing other divers and shaping how our communities view the ocean.

Leading by example is one of the most powerful tools we can use. By modeling patience, respect and ethical photography, we influence others. Share your knowledge, invite conversations and don’t be afraid to advocate for all the animals who call our ocean home. Change often begins with one person speaking up. Diving with purpose matters, and the ocean’s story is told with each of our photographs and videos. Please keep asking questions and sharing your images!

Ask Annie

PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer Annie Crawley answers your most pressing questions about dive etiquette, training qualms and gear analysis with zero judgment and a whole lot of lived experience.

Have a question for Annie? Send to edit@padi.com with the subject, "Ask Annie".