Coral Reef Recreation
Code of Conduct: Fiji
ESRM 458: Management of Endangered,
Threatened, and Sensitive Species
Winter 2015 - Marzluff & Miller
Kristina Beverlin - beverlin@uw.edu
Kayla Boyes - boyesk@uw.edu
Melinda Gonzales - meg36@uw.edu
Samantha Herman - samhermn@uw.edu
Breanne Ward - breward@uw.edu
Berit Wick - bcwick@uw.edu
OVERVIEW
1. Introduction
2. Problem - Coral
Endangerment
3. Client
4. Recommendations
5. Code of Conduct
6. References
http://www.fiji.travel/sites/default/files//styles/gallery/public/SoftCoral-Scuba-Diving-Fiji-Waidroka.jpg?itok=CW0hPRKy
INTRODUCTION
Coral
Hard Corals
Soft Corals
Calcium carbonate skeletons
Grow in colonies
Form Reefs
Body walls made of calcareous
particles
Do not grow in colonies
Do not form reefs
www.coral.org
www.reefkeeper.com
INTRODUCTION
Fijian Coral Reefs
- 354 species of coral
- NOAA lists 8 species as
threatened
- High coral reef tourism
- Opportunity to establish
proper interaction between
human and nature using
artifact
http://www.ezilon.com/maps/oceania/fiji-road-maps.html
CLIENT
Elevate Destinations
Naomi Garner - Donor Program Program
Associate
Mission Statement:
“Elevate Destinations is unique among small group adventure
travel operators. We go beyond sustainable tourism to what we
call transformative travel. Every trip benefits local communities
and conservation. We help you connect with people and projects
that matter. 5% of the net costs of your trip go to non-profit
partners in the destinations you visit. We'll even help you
volunteer where it will make a difference to people and wildlife.
We offer flexible departure dates, and custom itineraries for
groups, honeymoons, and family adventures.”
www.elevatedestinations.com
HANS Model
Human:
- Brokers
- Locals
- Tourists
Nature:
- Coral Reefs
Artifacts:
- Boats
- Diving Equipment
- Code of Conduct
Miller et al., 2014
PROBLEM
Coral Reef Threats
Environmental:
Anthropogenic:
-
-
Coral bleaching
Ocean acidification
Disease
Predator plagues
Pollution
Overfishing
Dynamite fishing
Take
Poor tourism
practices
PROBLEM
Poor Tourism Practices
Poor Tourist Practices:
Poor Broker Practices:
- Direct contact with corals
- Accidental contact
- fin scuffing/cutting
- Spreading of disease
- Sediment disturbance
- Anchor damage
- Poor tourist education
- Development along
shoreline
- Stress from repeated
exposure to tourists
PROBLEM
Devaluation of Ecosystem Benefits
Coral reefs generate an annual $30 billion
in net benefits
Tourism: $9.6 annual net benefit
-
Tourism value can be threatened by reef degradation
Reef Fishing: $5.7 billion annual net benefit
-
Millions depends on nutrition and income provided by
fishing
Rising population and overfishing threaten to devalue
this reef function
Coastal Protection: $9 billion annual net benefit
-
Degradation risks the loss of the natural sea wall
function of buffering waves, flooding and erosion
http://www.redorbit.com/media/uploads/2011
/09/sciencepress-092711-001b.jpg
LIFESTYLE VALUES
Lifestyle values are a type of tacit value that is closely related to ‘sense of place’
and ‘attachment to place’ (Davenport & Anderson 2005; Anthony et al. 2009),
which respectively refer to the way in which people assign meanings to places
and derive meaning in their lives from places. Some place meanings translate
into strong emotional bonds that influence attitudes and behaviours within places
(Davenport & Anderson 2005).
Who’s Lifestyle Values Influence Ecotourism?
- Ecotourism enterprise owners
- Ecotourism staff members
- Ecotourism community
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE DIVERS
- Level of educational briefing
required before a dive
- Number of divers in a site at
one time
- Amount of expected marine
wildlife
- Diver supervision
- Cost of the dive
- Size of dive area
RECOMMENDATIONS
Responsible Tourism
Tourism can be a sustainable
alternative to consumptive uses of
coral reefs.
http://boldearthblog.com/category/f
iji-teen-dive-program/
- Recreational Tourism
- Volunteer Tourism
- Donor Tourism
http://livingvalues.fourseasons.com/files/
2011/03/MLG_171_screen-hi-res.jpg
PRODUCT: CODE OF CONDUCT
Biggest Tourism Issues:
- Physical and Environmental
Damage
- Ecosystem Alteration/Degradation
- Pollution/Littering
- Wildlife Disturbance/Stress
- Aesthetic and Cultural Loss
- Economic Monopolies
Code of Conduct - Fiji
Guidelines for Responsible Coral Reef Recreation
1. Look but Don’t Touch!
Coral are actually living animals, and are very sensitive. Touching, kicking, or standing on reefs can
physically damage coral or make them more susceptible to disease or infection. Plus, some coral fight
back! Be mindful that certain coral that can scrape, cut, or sting you.
2. Take Only Memories
Please refrain from removing any items from the reef as souvenirs and be informed about purchasing
souvenirs for sale. Instead, take a photo to remember your trip by!
3. Leave Only Bubbles
Whether on land or at sea, please recycle or dispose responsibly of any trash or litter. Garbage is
harmful to reef fish and to the coral themselves.
4. Take it Slow
Slow, controlled movements in the water help prevent accidental contact with the coral. Slowing down
also prevents cramps and fatigue, and allows you to see things you might have missed otherwise.
Rabbany et al., 2013; Hall et al., 2015; Lamb et al., 2014
Code of Conduct - Fiji
Guidelines for Responsible Coral Reef Recreation
5. Fish May Bite
Please don’t feed the fish or any other wildlife as they could be harmful to you. Feeding the fish also
upsets the natural balance of the coral reef food chain.
6. Anchor Appropriately
Like standing on the reefs, anchoring on a reef can damage the coral. Anchor in a sandy area instead.
7. Stay Alert!
Always be aware of your surroundings. Avoid shallow or narrow areas while in the water. And be sure
to report any irresponsible behavior, illegal activity, invasive species, or injured wildlife.
8. Support for Reefs out of Water
When not enjoying the reef, make sure to visit a local business in the area, donate to a conservation
program, or spread the word about coral reef conservation to ensure Fiji’s coral reefs will endure for
generations to come!
Rabbany et al., 2013; Hall et al., 2015; Lamb et al.,
REFERENCES
Central Intelligence Agency. (2015). The World Factbook: Fiji.
Cesar, H. Burke, L. and Pet-Soede, L. "The Economics of Worldwide Coral Reef Degradation."
Cesar Environmental Economics Consulting. 2003. PDF.
International Union for Conservation of Nature. (2014). The IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species.
Lovell, E. R., & McLardy, C. (2008). Annotated Checklist of the CITES-listed Corals of Fiji with
Reference to Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa and American Samoa (No. 415). Joint Nature
Conservation Committee.
Miller, M. L., & Auyong, J. (1991). Coastal Zone Tourism: A Potent Force Affecting
Environment and Society. Marine Policy, 15(2), 75–99. doi:10.1016/0308-597X(91)90008-Y
Miller, M. L., Carter, R. (Bill), Walsh, S. J., & Peake, S. (2014). A Conceptual Framework for
Studying Global Change, Tourism, and the Sustainability of Iconic National Parks. The
George Wright Forum, 31(3). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2015, January 21). Endangered and
Threatened Marine Species under NMFS’ Jurisdiction.
Selig, E. R., Frazier, M., O‫׳‬Leary, J. K., Jupiter, S. D., Halpern, B. S., Longo, C., … Ranelletti,
M. (2015). Measuring indicators of ocean health for an island nation: The ocean health
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Teh, L.S.L. Teh, L.C.L. Starkhouse, B. Kuridrani, N. Sumaila, U.R. Sadovy de Mitcheson, Y.
and Zeller, D. "Preliminary assessment of the socio-economic importance of export trade in
coral reef resources on Fijian society." 11th Intenational Coral Reef Symposium. Ft.
Lauderdale, FL. 2008. PDF.
Wilkinson, C. (2008). Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2008. Global Coral Reef Monitoring
Network.
"Anthropogenic Threats to Corals." National Ocean Service Education. National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration. Web. 17 Feb. 2015.
<http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/corals/coral09_humanthreats.html>.
Bryant, D., L. Burke, J. McManus, and M. Spalding. 1998. Reefs at Risk: A Map-based Indicator of
Threats to the World’s Coral Reefs. World Resources Institute. 56 pp.
Burke, L., K. Reytar, M. Spalding, and A. Perry. 2011. Reefs at Risk Revisited. Washington, D.C.,
World Resources Institute (WRI), The Nature Conservancy, WorldFish Center, International
Coral Reef Action Network, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre and Global
Coral Reef Monitoring Network, 114p.
Coles, S. 1996. Corals of Oman: Natural and man-related disturbances to Oman’s corals and coral
reefs. Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum’s Web site at
http://www.bishopmuseum.org/research/pbs/Oman-coral-book/.
"Endangered Species Act | Section 3." Endangered Species. Web. 17 Feb. 2015.
<http://www.fws.gov/endangered/laws-policies/section-3.html>.
Lamb, Joleah B., James D. True, Srisakul Piromvaragorn, and Bette L. Willis. "Scuba Diving
Damage and Intensity of Tourist Activities Increases Coral Disease Prevalence." Biological
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"Overfishing and Destructive Fishing Threats." Reef Resilience. Web. 17 Feb. 2015.
<http://www.reefresilience.org/coral-reefs/stressors/local-stressors/overfishing-and-
destructive-fishing-threats/>.
Tissot, B.N., B.A. Best, E.H. Borneman, A.L. Rhyne et al. 2010. "How U.S. Ocean Policy and
Market Power Can Reform the Coral Reef." Marine Policy 34 (36): 1385-1388
"Threats to Coral Reefs – Human Impacts." MES Fiji. Web. 17 Feb. 2015.
<http://mesfiji.org/resources/environment/threats-to-coral-reefs-human-impacts>.
University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). 2001. Threats to Coral Reefs. UVI Web site.
http://www.uvi.edu/coral.reefer/threats.htm.
Zakai, David, and Nanette E Chadwick-Furman. "Impacts of Intensive Recreational Diving on Reef
Corals at Eilat, Northern Red Sea." Biological Conservation 105.2 (2002): 179-87. Print.
QUESTIONS?