[Coral-List] Arrecife Alacranes Park manager needs documentation for proposed regulation

[Sander Den Haring]

Thanks David,
The aim of my PhD study was to encourage marine resource protection ("getting snorkelers and scuba divers to behave") through the use of interpretation. The study identified the salient beliefs scuba divers and snorkelers held regarding "not contacting the coral reef" and then targeted those salient beliefs by interpretive efforts. There was not enough time to test the effects of these interventions on the scuba divers, but on the snorkelers the interpretive efforts had the desired effect. By targeting the salient beliefs the snorkelers made more contacts on dead substrate and seagrass substrate, and made overall more positive snorkel behaviours for the environment. The marine resources frequented by the snorkelers was thus afforded some degree of protection. Furthermore, clientele experience was enhanced largely as a result of increased elaboration, or critical thinking about the messages presented to the snorkelers. Increased elaboration is another sign of effective interpretation.  

Once the salient beliefs of scuba divers have been identified i see no reason why such interventions could not work on scuba divers as well. I agree with David in finding a broader network approach as an option to protect marine resources. 

cheers

sander


Sander D. den Haring
PhD Candidate
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
James Cook University
Townsville, QLD,
4811, Australia
e: sander.denharing at my.jcu.edu.au, sander at green-water.org
t: + 254 (0) 711 748 606 (Kenya)






On Jul 28, 2013, at 6:55 PM, David Obura <dobura at cordioea.net> wrote:

> 
> I'm going to embarass and advertise a new PhD being done in Kenya, by Sander den Haring (at James Cook Uni, Australia) ... While he can reply directly to the question I'm going to question the benefit of such strict regulation that may just alienate both divers and operators with respect to the authorities, resulting in low compliance and perhaps even worse behaviour or perverse outcomes.
> 
> Sander's study is looking at the role of interpretation (ie pre-dive briefings and education) in reducing damage and increasing customer satisfaction, achieving win-win benefits. While of course this seems obvious, the details of what works and doesn't need to be worked out. It would be great to have broader- based approaches to improving behaviour in the dive and tourism industries, rather than too-narrow and un-integrated efforts in different places. 
> 
> This is not at all to criticism the national park for what they are seeking to do, as I don't know anything about the context, I just wonder if there is a broader network/industry approach that can be used in the area.
> 
> Best, 
> 
> David
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> 
>> Today's Topics:
>> 
>> 1. Arrecife Alacranes Park manager needs documentation for
>>    proposed regulation re: divers distance from reef (Sustento
>>    t?cnico para regla de buceo en PN Arrecife Alacranes (Mexico):
>>    distancia del buzo al arrecife) (Georgina Bustamante)
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> CaMPAM members, 
>> 
>> Our colleague Rene Kantun, director of Arrecifes de Alacranes NP, need your
>> help to Support a proposed regulation: for divers to keep a 1.5m distance
>> from the reef. 
>> 
>> Read my English translation of his message below, and contact him if you can
>> help.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> GB
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Dear Georgina:
>> 
>> An apology for distracting from your busy schedule.
>> 
>> We are in the process of modifying the Management  Program of Alacranes
>> Reefs National Park, Yucatan, Mexico. We are proposing to incorporate a new
>> regulation on diving practices re: a minimum distance of 1.5 m to coral
>> formations in order to avoid damage to them. We conducted a literature
>> search, but none of the publications justifies convincingly the distance to
>> be respected, just mention good practice and control buoyancy, even some of
>> Mexico AMP (2.5m  for Sian Ka'an, 1.5m for  Cozumel, etc..).
>> 
>> Based on the above, I request your support for this query thru your network
>> and contacts.  I hope something will come out somewhere in the world, which
>> will strengthen the proposal to impose minimum distance to make diving in
>> the NPAA.
>> 
>> Thank you ??. hoping to greet us soon, maybe in Merida??
>> I await your comments.
>> Cordially
>> RK
>> 
>> Lic. Ren? H. Kant?n Palma
>> 
>> Comisi?n Nacional de ?reas Naturales Protegidas
>> 
>> Director 
>> 
>> Parque Nacional Arrecife Alacranes
>> 
>> Reserva de la Biosfera R?a Celest?n
>> 
>> Calle 18 No, 120 X Av. P?rez Ponce, Col. Itzimn?
>> 
>> M?rida, Yucat?n, C.P. 97100
>> 
>> Tel. 999 938 07 09 / 999 938 07 08
>> 
>> Ext. 101 y 106
>> 
>> renekantun at hotmail.com
>> 
>> ??  
>> 
>> 
>> 
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>> End of Coral-List Digest, Vol 59, Issue 23
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