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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Does Recreational Diving Impact Hawksbill Sea Turtle Sighting Rates? Preliminary Analysis For A Marine Protected Area, Honduras, Christian Hayes, Dustin S. Baumbach, Marsha K. Wright, Linda Baeza, Marta Macpui, Lidia A. Salinas, Stephen G. Dunbar
Does Recreational Diving Impact Hawksbill Sea Turtle Sighting Rates? Preliminary Analysis For A Marine Protected Area, Honduras, Christian Hayes, Dustin S. Baumbach, Marsha K. Wright, Linda Baeza, Marta Macpui, Lidia A. Salinas, Stephen G. Dunbar
Science and Mathematics Faculty Presentations
Recreational diving is a form of ecotourism that is traditionally viewed as an ecologically sustainable activity prompting increased awareness for the marine environment. Still, recent studies indicate that recreational diving may cause increased spatio-temporal variability within coral ecosystems and unintended behavioral changes in marine macrofauna. Few studies however, have looked specifically at the effect of recreational diving on sea turtles. The purpose of this study was to determine if differences in dive site use and habitat composition can affect the rate of Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) sightings in a marine protected area. From June 3 – August 31, 2014 …