Coral Reefs Still in Danger from Tourism Head

As a diver since 1985 with over 500 dive hours logged on tropical reefs and now a coral reef conservationist working directly with the marine tourism sector, I have to wonder if Norman Karin is talking about the same dive community I know (“A diver's perspective on coral damage,” Letters, 13 July, p. [196][1]). I'm not about to pretend that recreational use and overuse ranks with climate change, coastal development, and unsustainable and destructive fishing practices as the most significant global threats to coral health. And I've had the honor to dive with stellar dive businesses who are ambassadors for sustainability. But to suggest that the dive community as a whole has had some sort of collective epiphany around sustainable behavior and best practices is just uninformed. According to a 2002 report ([1][2]), marine tourism is a major factor contributing to reef decline at no-take Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Hawaii. In 2003, between 28,000 and 100,000 people per year visited just four sites, with diving and snorkeling being the most popular marine recreation activity ([2][3]). Tourism numbers have increased steadily over the years. In 1999, tiny Honolua Bay on Maui averaged 250 tourists per day and up to 700 per day during peak season ([3][4]). This volume has certainly increased. Research also shows that 45% of certified SCUBA divers who visit dive sites break coral colonies. Most of this damage appears to be from fin kicks ([4][5]). Finally, Karin points to Bonaire Marine Park as evidence of diver awareness. I agree that Bonaire is spectacular and a model that should be emulated and exported worldwide. But to hold up the well-funded, relatively affluent, politically stable, and uncorrupt Netherlands Antilles as somehow representative of most coral reef destinations and MPA systems is disingenuous. Most MPAs are not reaching their conservation goals. Crushing poverty and competing resource use often derail the best conservation efforts. Denial or special pleading to displace tourism's contribution and responsibility certainly doesn't help. 1. 1.[↵][6] 1. D. Turgeon, 2. R. Asch , The state of coral reef ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States (U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, Silver Spring, MD, 2002). 2. 2.[↵][7] 1. K. N. Holland, 2. C. G. Meyer , Human Activities in Marine Protected Areas–Impact on Substrates (Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, Kaneohe, HI, 2003). 3. 3.[↵][8] 1. E. K. Brown, 2. Dynamics Sediment , Water Motion Characteristics, and Human Use Patterns Within Honolua Bay MLCD, (1999) Submitted to State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources in partial fulfillment of Conservation District Use Permit Number: MA-2772. 4. 4.[↵][9] 1. N.H.L. Baker, 2. C. M. Roberts , Biol. Conserv. 120, 481 (2004). [OpenUrl][10] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.317.5835.196b [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #ref-3 [5]: #ref-4 [6]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1. in text" [7]: #xref-ref-2-1 "View reference 2. in text" [8]: #xref-ref-3-1 "View reference 3. in text" [9]: #xref-ref-4-1 "View reference 4. in text" [10]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DBiol.%2BConserv.%26rft.volume%253D120%26rft.spage%253D481%26rft.atitle%253DBIOL%2BCONSERV%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx