1. Introduction
1.1 Coral Decline
Coral reef is a highly diverse ecosystem that provides many environmental, economical and social benefits to humans (Barker & Roberts 2004; Hughes et al. 2010). Approximately 20% of coral has been lost worldwide (Wilkinson 2006) with an 80% loss in the Caribbean basin (Jackson et al. 2014). Due to this decline steps must be taken to conserve and restore the marine ecosystems. The most prominent causes of decline are global warming (Hoegh-Guldberg 1999), water pollution (Jackson et al. 2014) and overfishing (Hixon & Carr 1997). The Mesoamerican reef is the second largest in the world, stretching over almost 700 miles (WWF). Mexico and more specifically Cancun have extremely high densities of tourism. Tourism related coastal development is detrimental to the Mesoamerican coral reefs deterioration (Jacksonet al. 2014). Countries popular for tourism benefit from marine sports such as snorkelling and SCUBA diving, especially as peoples interest in nature increases. However as numbers increase, what was once considered as ecotourism is now taking its toll on the marine environment (Orams 1999; Barber 2001).
1.2. Scuba Diving
SCUBA diving increases interest in the marine environment and can raise public awareness of the threats (van Treek & Schuhmacher 1999). The SCUBA diving population is increasing as people are able to travel more easily and frequently and the diving equipment becomes cheaper and more comfortable (Ceballos-Ladcurain et al. 1993; Orams 1999). Divers can cause obvious damage by kicking and touching the coral reef this leads to breakages and abrasions on the reef (Hawkins et al. 1999; Barker & Roberts 2004). Abraded coral will be more susceptible to disease and will have slower growth and reproduction due to redirecting energy for repair (Hawkins 1999). Divers can also cause the re-suspension of sediment, which decreases the overall health of a reef (Rogers 1990). Some divers pose a higher risk to coral reef, however there are conflicts between research. Studies have found inexperienced divers, those with less than 100 dives were more likely to damage the reef (Luna et al. 2009; Ong & Musa 2012). However other studies have not found the same relationship (Harriott et al. 1997). Males are more likely to kick the coral and touch it. (Rouphael & Inglis 2001; Barker & Roberts 2004) This could be because females are less likely to take risks (Hudgens & Fatkin 1985) and more likely to listen to instructions (Vredenburgh & Cohen 1993). Other studies did not find differences between genders and contact rates (Camp and Fraser 2012). If there is a difference between demographics and the amount of damage they cause to coral reefs, it is possible to concentrate conservation methods on those that are more damaging to the reef. Camera users have been proven to contact the reef more …show more content…
Some dive professionals will provide environmental information before a dive (Medio et al. 1997), it has also been proven that if dive leaders intervene when they notice customers touching coral reef it will reduce occurrences (Barker & Roberts 2004). These are necessary steps to protect coral reefs. However for some, they are already deteriorated, 26% of coral reef is heading towards irreparable damage (Wilkinson 2006). Banning diving in these areas is not possible as it is too financially advantageous to local communities. Therefore steps must be taken to provide
1.1 Coral Decline
Coral reef is a highly diverse ecosystem that provides many environmental, economical and social benefits to humans (Barker & Roberts 2004; Hughes et al. 2010). Approximately 20% of coral has been lost worldwide (Wilkinson 2006) with an 80% loss in the Caribbean basin (Jackson et al. 2014). Due to this decline steps must be taken to conserve and restore the marine ecosystems. The most prominent causes of decline are global warming (Hoegh-Guldberg 1999), water pollution (Jackson et al. 2014) and overfishing (Hixon & Carr 1997). The Mesoamerican reef is the second largest in the world, stretching over almost 700 miles (WWF). Mexico and more specifically Cancun have extremely high densities of tourism. Tourism related coastal development is detrimental to the Mesoamerican coral reefs deterioration (Jacksonet al. 2014). Countries popular for tourism benefit from marine sports such as snorkelling and SCUBA diving, especially as peoples interest in nature increases. However as numbers increase, what was once considered as ecotourism is now taking its toll on the marine environment (Orams 1999; Barber 2001).
1.2. Scuba Diving
SCUBA diving increases interest in the marine environment and can raise public awareness of the threats (van Treek & Schuhmacher 1999). The SCUBA diving population is increasing as people are able to travel more easily and frequently and the diving equipment becomes cheaper and more comfortable (Ceballos-Ladcurain et al. 1993; Orams 1999). Divers can cause obvious damage by kicking and touching the coral reef this leads to breakages and abrasions on the reef (Hawkins et al. 1999; Barker & Roberts 2004). Abraded coral will be more susceptible to disease and will have slower growth and reproduction due to redirecting energy for repair (Hawkins 1999). Divers can also cause the re-suspension of sediment, which decreases the overall health of a reef (Rogers 1990). Some divers pose a higher risk to coral reef, however there are conflicts between research. Studies have found inexperienced divers, those with less than 100 dives were more likely to damage the reef (Luna et al. 2009; Ong & Musa 2012). However other studies have not found the same relationship (Harriott et al. 1997). Males are more likely to kick the coral and touch it. (Rouphael & Inglis 2001; Barker & Roberts 2004) This could be because females are less likely to take risks (Hudgens & Fatkin 1985) and more likely to listen to instructions (Vredenburgh & Cohen 1993). Other studies did not find differences between genders and contact rates (Camp and Fraser 2012). If there is a difference between demographics and the amount of damage they cause to coral reefs, it is possible to concentrate conservation methods on those that are more damaging to the reef. Camera users have been proven to contact the reef more …show more content…
Some dive professionals will provide environmental information before a dive (Medio et al. 1997), it has also been proven that if dive leaders intervene when they notice customers touching coral reef it will reduce occurrences (Barker & Roberts 2004). These are necessary steps to protect coral reefs. However for some, they are already deteriorated, 26% of coral reef is heading towards irreparable damage (Wilkinson 2006). Banning diving in these areas is not possible as it is too financially advantageous to local communities. Therefore steps must be taken to provide