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Spatial dynamics and substrate impacts of recreational snorkelers and SCUBA divers in Hawaiian Marine Protected Areas

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Abstract

We quantified spatial dynamics and substrate impacts of snorkelers and SCUBA divers within four Hawaiian MPAs to determine: (1) whether coral reefs in these areas are being damaged by recreational activities, and (2) how damage might be mitigated. Observers secretly followed snorkelers and SCUBA divers, and used handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) units to record their geographic tracks and substrate contacts. Most activities occurred within relatively small, well-defined areas associated with access points. Despite heavy use, recreation impact was low at Hawaiian MPAs because most fragile corals occurred below the maximum depth of the dominant recreational activity (snorkeling). SCUBA diving was only common at one MPA with physically durable benthic habitats. GPS tracking provided useful insights into how recreational impacts to MPAs could be reduced. General topography could be used to predict where visitors will go, and designated access points could be used to focus substrate contact away from fragile habitats.

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Abbreviations

AM:

animal movement

GPS:

global positioning system

KUD:

kernel utilization distribution

MLCD:

Marine Life Conservation District

MPA:

marine protected area

SCUBA:

self-contained underwater breathing apparatus

SNUBA:

a portmanteau of “snorkel” and “scuba”

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Acknowledgements

We thank A. Clark for supporting this study which was funded by the Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources, Department of Land and Natural Resources through National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No., NA0707Z0186. We thank T. Clark, C. Bredin, A. Ponik and S. Hazan for assistance with diver tracking. All research activities were cleared by the University of Hawaii Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, P.O. Box 1346, Coconut Island, Kaneohe, HI, 96744, USA

    Carl G. Meyer & Kim N. Holland

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  1. Carl G. Meyer
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  2. Kim N. Holland
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Correspondence to Carl G. Meyer.

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Meyer, C.G., Holland, K.N. Spatial dynamics and substrate impacts of recreational snorkelers and SCUBA divers in Hawaiian Marine Protected Areas. J Coast Conserv 12, 209–216 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-009-0043-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-009-0043-1

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