Impacts of recreational diving on hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) behaviour in a marine protected area
| Autor: | Christian Hayes, Dustin S. Baumbach, David Juma, Stephen G. Dunbar |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2016 |
| Předmět: |
0106 biological sciences
biology Ecology 010604 marine biology & hydrobiology Geography Planning and Development biology.organism_classification 010603 evolutionary biology 01 natural sciences Monitoring program law.invention Fishery Critically endangered Sea turtle Geography law Tourism Leisure and Hospitality Management Juvenile Marine protected area Hawksbill sea turtle Turtle (robot) Recreation |
| Zdroj: | Journal of Sustainable Tourism. 25:79-95 |
| ISSN: | 1747-7646 0966-9582 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/09669582.2016.1174246 |
| Popis: | The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a critically endangered species encountered by recreational divers in marine protected areas (MPAs) circumtropically. Few studies, however, have examined the impacts of recreational diving on hawksbill behaviours. In 2014, we collected turtle sightings surveys and dive logs from 14 dive operations, and conducted in-water observations of 61 juvenile hawksbill turtles in Roatan, Honduras, to determine if differences in dive site use and diver behaviours affected sea turtle behaviours in the Roatan Marine Park. Sightings distributions did not vary with diving pressure during an 82-day study period. We found the amount of time turtles spent eating, investigating and breathing decreased when approached by divers. Our results suggest diver interactions may negatively impact sea turtle behaviours, however it is unknown if recreational diving has a cumulative effect on turtles over time. We recommend that MPA managers should implement monitoring program... |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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