Please don't touch the turtles.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 2:07 pm

They do if you are in the National Parks which are federally funded. And since the NPS also holds the deed (for lack of a better term) to nearly 6,000 acres of land UNDER the water, my guess if you're swimming anywhere near shore on most of STJ, you're in violation if you pick up, touch or otherwise impede the motion or progress of any sea creature including turtles, dolphins etc.

I was trying to find the section of code to reference but I have been a bit busy today.

Of course, you're not going to have the park police in scuba gear watching snorkelers and giving out tickets

But I'm sure we all want to be responsible visitors and snorkelers so legal mumbo jumbo aside, I repeat: Looky no touchy!

CariBert · Post by **CariBert** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 2:16 pm

Gromit wrote: Of course, you're not going to have the park police in scuba gear watching snorkelers and giving out tickets

Unless you are snorkeling commando.....

-Bert

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 2:16 pm

Thanks Gromit! I'm always a little fuzzy on the which U.S. laws apply and which don't in the islands.

Kentuckygirl · Post by **Kentuckygirl** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 4:51 pm

chrisn wrote:Our rule has always been to just look and not touch. The oils from our skin can be harmful to the turtles and of course you should never touch or stand on the coral.

We did touch a Sea Egg this past trip but only because we were told it was ok to do so.

I always thought is was also ok to examine a Starfish as well.

I was told that it was ok to touch the Starfish too. Does anyone know if that is correct? I hope so, because some of us did, and then put it back where it was.

shoemak38 · Post by **shoemak38** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:13 pm

boy I bet you wished your never shared those photos

bayer40601 · Post by **bayer40601** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 7:34 pm

Unless I am seriously mistaken, US Federal law applies to the USVI just like it does in any other state. Otherwise why would certain tax evasion cases end up in Federal Court and why would certain civil actions be tried in Federal Court in Philadelphia?

As for actions in the National Park, there is no question but what Federal Law governs there.

Lex · Post by **Lex** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 10:54 pm

All of the sea turtles in the VI are classified as endangered species so should have an extra layer of protection under the Endangered Species Act. But as Gromit plainly states it, all legal mumbo jumbo aside--- I wouldn't want someone to come snorkeling by and touch me out of curiosity.

On our first trip to the VI, I was told to stay off the coral and to leave the sea creatures alone. They're not there for my amusement or entertainment. What I get to do is observe and appreciate them. When I visit their environment I need to do so respectfully.

nothintolose · Post by **nothintolose** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:24 pm

Something else to think about is that when a bunch of people are observing turtles, nurse sharks, or whatever and someone tries to touch them, the thing everyone else has been observing tends to swim off...not cool.

snorkelprincess · Post by **snorkelprincess** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 10:42 am

I haven't been on the forum lately though I read it every weekend...

Snorkelqueen, Hi!! Seems you stirred up the pot. Ha!

Anyway, would like to see the vw turtle; where is it and when is the best time to see it??

Snorkelprincess

Nic in KC · Post by **Nic in KC** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 3:08 pm

I posted and than didn't follow this thread until today and thought I better clarify my post. I wasn't upset in the least by the reminder or anything of the sort. I definitely think it's needed. I was just FYIing about a picture that I might be posting.

On the same note-this past trip, we experienced one horribly loud group arriving on Francis and snorkeling. Our group had enjoyed viewing a nurse shark sleeping all day. One of the members of this group comes running back to us on the beach yelling about a shark and how her brother tried to chase it and it swam away. I wanted to scream!!

We also saw a couple at Secret Harbour take two conch out of the water and position them for pictures on the beach a jillion times and then walk off and leave them on the beach when they were done. I was headed in to put them back in the water when I saw a lady storming across the beach. Apparently she had witnessed the same thing.

Just wanted to clarify!!

snorkelqueen · Post by **snorkelqueen** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 4:14 pm

No clarification needed! I can't believe your stories about the shark or the conch!! Some people are just so stupid.

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