Influence of conservation education dive briefings as a management tool on the timing and nature of recreational SCUBA diving impacts on coral reefs

Camp, E; Fraser, D

Influence of conservation education dive briefings as a management tool on the timing and nature of recreational SCUBA diving impacts on coral reefs

Camp, E

Fraser, D

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Ocean and Coastal Management, 2012, 61 pp. 30 - 37
Issue Date:: 2012-06-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Camp, E https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1962-1336	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Fraser, D	en_US
dc.date.issued	2012-06-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Ocean and Coastal Management, 2012, 61 pp. 30 - 37	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0964-5691	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/115038
dc.description.abstract	This study investigated the frequency and timing of physical impacts SCUBA divers have with the coral reefs in Key Largo, and whether these impacts are accidental or deliberate. Our study looks at the timing of diver interactions and how these can be managed. We also investigated the importance of diver conservation education and the value of conservational programmes in the Florida Keys as a user management tool.We used a triangulated method of direct observation, questionnaires and dive briefing analysis. The study took place over a three-month period from June until August 2010 in the John Pennekamp State Park Key Largo, Florida. 97% of the divers observed (n=83) physically interacted with the reef during their dive. Most contacts were accidental and were concentrated in the initial part of the dive. More in depth conservation education dive briefings significantly reduced the number of impacts divers made. Divers from the operator with conservation centred briefings impacted the reef significantly less with 0.16. ±. 0.08 (mean. ±. SE) touches per minute compared with 0.37. ±. 0.06 (mean. ±. SE) for the other charters. Our findings highlight the importance of conservational initiatives and improved conservational briefings on board dive charters. Gathering data on anthropogenic influences, like SCUBA divers, provides reef managers with vital information that can be used in reef management. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Ocean and Coastal Management	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2012.02.002	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Fisheries	en_US
dc.title	Influence of conservation education dive briefings as a management tool on the timing and nature of recreational SCUBA diving impacts on coral reefs	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	61	en_US
utslib.for	050203 Environmental Education and Extension	en_US
utslib.for	04 Earth Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	05 Environmental Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	16 Studies in Human Society	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - C3 - Climate Change Cluster
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	61	en_US

Abstract:

This study investigated the frequency and timing of physical impacts SCUBA divers have with the coral reefs in Key Largo, and whether these impacts are accidental or deliberate. Our study looks at the timing of diver interactions and how these can be managed. We also investigated the importance of diver conservation education and the value of conservational programmes in the Florida Keys as a user management tool.We used a triangulated method of direct observation, questionnaires and dive briefing analysis. The study took place over a three-month period from June until August 2010 in the John Pennekamp State Park Key Largo, Florida. 97% of the divers observed (n=83) physically interacted with the reef during their dive. Most contacts were accidental and were concentrated in the initial part of the dive. More in depth conservation education dive briefings significantly reduced the number of impacts divers made. Divers from the operator with conservation centred briefings impacted the reef significantly less with 0.16. ±. 0.08 (mean. ±. SE) touches per minute compared with 0.37. ±. 0.06 (mean. ±. SE) for the other charters. Our findings highlight the importance of conservational initiatives and improved conservational briefings on board dive charters. Gathering data on anthropogenic influences, like SCUBA divers, provides reef managers with vital information that can be used in reef management. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/115038