11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

23.959
Marine Protected Area Report Guide And Rating System: Do Scores Equate To The
Reality Of Their Biophysical Status?
Darwin John RAYMUNDO* 1
1 Research, Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation, Inc., Cebu City, Philippines
The Marine Protected Area Report Guide and Rating System being implemented by the
Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF) and its partners in the
Philippines has been utilized to assess the effectiveness of management based on several
indicators of enforcement and implementation. A very useful tool for determining the
management framework of an MPA, one of its points that need improvement is on how
ratings can truly reflect improving or declining biophysical status of MPAs from a
management standpoint.
This paper looks at the relationship between specific management criteria as rated in the
MPA rating system and how this translates to the true biophysical status of MPAs.
Although MPA rating per se does not show a significant correlation to live hard coral
cover and fish densities, analysis of certain specific management criteria show varying
correlations to these two parameters. Several recommendations are also given to further
fine-tune the criteria of the rating system and improve its effectiveness.
23.960
Information For The Management Of Coral Reef Based Tourism At Mu Koh
Chang, Thailand
Niapt SOMKLEEB* 1
1 Department of Biology, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, Thailand
Mu Koh Chang, a new tourism destination of Thailand, is located in the eastern part of
the Gulf of Thailand. There are consisted of 52 Islands in the area which harbor
approximately 16 km 2 of coral reefs. Three main agencies related to coral reef
management in this area are as follwing: 1) Mu Koh Chang National Park, an estimated
30% of the coral reefs in this area are under responsibility of the national park. 2)
DASTA (Designated Area for Sustainable Tourism Administration) Area 1, Thai
Government uses this agency as a tool for sustainable tourism development in 2002. and
3) Trat Province Office, this office supported the management of coral reef in this area.
In 2005, Mu Koh Chang was selected as one of the demonstration sites for the coral reef
subcomponent under the UNEP/GEF/SCS Project. The significant activities would
provide information concerning sustainable tourism are i) Study carrying capacity for
tourists. ii) Study to determine tourist fee for coral reef management purposes iii) Socioeconomic
study in local communities iv) Monitoring coral reef conditions in both
ecological and socio-economic aspects v) Mapping additional coral reef areas. The
project would integrate all information and developed a network for management of coral
reef in this area to facilitate all users for easily access the data. Establishment of
coordination mechanism for coral reef based tourism and development of management
plan and guideline for sustainable use of coral reef resources are also needed. This
management plan and guideline for sustainable tourism based on coastal resources should
be developed in the framework of coral reef demonstration site project with taking
account functions of related stakeholders and linage in the network.
Poster Mini-Symposium 23: Reef Management
23.961
The Effect Of The Interpretation Learning Process On Snorkeler Behavior in Coral
Reefs, Thailand
Petchrung SUKPONG* 1 , Suvaluck SATUMANATPAN 2
1 Thailand Programme, IUCN - The World Conservation Union, Bangkok, Thailand, 2 Faculty of
Environment and Resources Studies, Mahidol University, Nakornprathom, Thailand
The Interpretation Learning Process is a study/project developed to help significantly reduce the
damage caused by mass tourism on tropical coral reefs in Thailand and possibly, on a global
basis. The Interpretation Learning Process is multimedia package included a brochure, a video
cd and a guide-book designed to educate snorkelers/tour operators effectively on how they can
minimize and prevent damage caused by their actions on coral reefs. The Interpretation
Learning Process promotes the best practices for snorkeling coral reefs and educate them on
their responsibilities for their action on nature.
A study was conducted on Similan National Park, Thailand to observe the behavior of 160
snorkelers divided into 2 separate groups – the experimental group which had undergone the
Interpretation Learning Process and the control group which had not. The results of this month
long study revealed a significant difference at the 0.05 alpha level between the groups. The
experimental group exhibited considerable preventive behavior when swimming near coral
reefs compared to the control group.
The control group was found to touch the coral reef at an average frequency of 3.31 times in 30
minutes, higher than the experimental group who were found to touch the coral reef at an
average frequency of 2.56 times in 30 minutes. Factors affecting snorkeling behavior were the
use of a life jacket, the Interpretation Learning Process, and the depth of the sea at which
snorkeling occurred. The overall factors could be explained as having a correlation to
snorkeling behavior at 32 per cent, meaning that divers who used life saving equipment,
experienced the interpretation learning process, and snorkeled at a not too shallow sea level
would have less damaging snorkeling behavior.
23.962
Management Of Artificial Reefs For Tourism in Phuket, Thailand
Thamasak YEEMIN* 1 , Se SONGPLOY 1 , Sittiporn PENGSAKUN 1 , Nipat SOMKLEEB 1
1 Department of Biology, Faculty Of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, Thailand
Tourism activities on natural coral reefs are important causes for coral reef degradation,
especially new scuba divers and dive students who are easily to damage corals. The special
designed artificial reefs for diving in Phuket, Thailand was initiated after the Indian Ocean
Tsunami incident on December 26, 2004. It had affected coral reefs along the Andaman coast
while the damages varied according to the morphology of each coastal area. Therefore, the
diving spots in Thailand have been reduced and deteriorated. Department of Marine and Coastal
Resources and Ramkhamhaeng University have jointly conducted a study and designed the
artificial reefs to increase diving spots, to reduce coral damages, to lower density of diving
activities along natural coral reefs, to enhance number of visiting divers and to encourage
growth and diversity of natural resources and marine organisms. Racha Yai Island was selected
for establishing the special designed artificial reef in Phuket Province because it’s natural coral
reefs were visited by many tourists. The artificial reefs were specially designed to show Thai
identity such as elephants, Thai pavilion, Thai designed signboard, and Thai traditional art
arches with a pair of Thai demon. In addition, Phuket had named as “Pearl of the Andaman”
therefore the large pearl oyster was also built. Diving in artificial reef areas would be a
conservation tool and encourage coral reef recovery. The project monitoring program showed
that the artificial reefs for diving in Phuket were interested by many foreign divers.
Macrobenthic oraganisms, cryptic fauna and reef fish were found abundantly. The
socioeconomic surveys revealed that the tourism sector in Phuket and its vicinity has gained
direct and indirect benefits from the project. Management and maintenance of the artificial reefs
for tourism are urgently required for sustainable uses.
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