What should you do if you encounter potentially threatening marine life?

When encountering potentially threatening marine life, remaining calm and backing away slowly is the most prudent course of action. This approach minimizes the risk of startling or agitating the animal. Rapid movements, such as swimming quickly away, can trigger a chase response in some species, potentially escalating the situation.

By backing away slowly, you communicate to the animal that you are not a threat and allow it the opportunity to assess the situation itself. This behavior often leads to a more peaceful resolution, as many marine animals are generally not aggressive unless they feel threatened or cornered.

Staying still to observe can be beneficial in some contexts, as it allows you to better understand the animal's behavior; however, it might also attract the animal if it is curious or feeling defensive. Making loud noises could scare the animal, but it may also provoke aggression or stress in the creature, further complicating the interaction. Thus, the most effective and safest strategy is to remain calm and back away slowly.