Research NoteObservations of Non-Compliance Behaviour by Tourists to a Voluntary Code of Conduct: A Pilot Study of Turtle Tourism in the Exmouth Region, Western Australia

Abstract

This paper reports on the results of a pilot study of observations of non-compliance behaviour by tourists to a voluntary code of conduct based on marine turtles attempting to nest in the Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia. The study used focal-animal sampling to record the response of marine turtles to noncompliance behaviour of tourist groups. Results of observations indicated that 77% of tourist groups breached the code of conduct, with 51% of these breaches resulting in a disturbance to marine turtles attempting to nest. The key aspects of the code of conduct that were breached included: shining light on the turtle; being closer than three metres from a turtle; and not staying behind the turtle at all times. The greatest disturbance to marine turtles was from tourists groups shining their torches on the turtles. This work demonstrates the need for further research into disturbance of turtles by tourists and the effectiveness of voluntary codes of conduct

The Development of an Interpretive Experience to Foster Positive Tourist Encounters and Manage Turtle Tourism in Northwest Western Australia: Implications for Further Research

“…Table 6 between the turtle and the ocean when she is returning to the ocean." Breaching of these two guidelines has been shown to be a major source of disturbance to nesting marine turtles (Johnson et al, 1996;Waayers et al, 2006). However, no breach of these guidelines was noted during this study period.…”

“…Marine turtles worldwide are vulnerable to extinction (International Union for Conservation of Nature [IUCN], 2010) and marine turtle tourism has been presented as an alternative to consumptive use of marine turtles (Waayers, Newsome, & Lee, 2006;. Tourism based on viewing nesting marine turtles can contribute to marine turtle conservation by raising revenue to 32 SMITH, NEWSOME, AND LEE n.d.).…”

“…Tourism based on viewing nesting marine turtles can contribute to marine turtle conservation by raising revenue to 32 SMITH, NEWSOME, AND LEE n.d.). Despite this code of conduct, noncompliance with the code has been reported (Osborne, 1995;Waayers et al, 2006).…”

“…For example, intervention from a scuba-diving tour leader, while underwater, has been shown to reduce incidents of scuba diver damage to a coral reef (Barker & Roberts, 2004). Such approaches, particularly when delivered via tour guiding and/or patronage of a visitor center at the same time, can act to encourage environmentally responsible behavior that also enhances the visitor experience (e.g., Hughes & Morrison-Saunders, 2005; and Australia (Johnson, Bjorndal, & Bolten, 1996;Newsome, Dowling, & Moore, 2005;Troeng & Drews, 2004;Waayers et al, 2006).…”

“…The Jurabi Coastal Park is one of 10 key attractions for the Shire of Exmouth on the Northwest Cape (Shire of Exmouth, 2005). The viewing of the nocturnal nesting activity of marine turtles is a small part of, but growing, nature-based tourism industry that is largely based on whaleshark tourism and coral reef viewing based at Coral Bay and Exmouth (Shire of Exmouth & Department of Conservation and Land Management, 2004;Waayers et al, 2006). Current annual tourist numbers to the Shire are approximately 84,000 (Tourism Western Australia, 2013).…”