The use of area–time closures as a tool to manage cetacean-watch tourism

Contrasting Habitat Use and Population Dynamics of Reef Manta Rays Within the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area, Indonesia

“…With the Nusa Penida MPA serving as an important reproductive ground, disruption of these important social behaviors is a concern. Based on the criteria to evaluate marine wildlife tourism practices outlined by Trave et al (2017), we recommend that: (1) science based carrying capacity calculations of tourism operations be carried out to estimate the acceptable number of tour boats and diver interactions for the area (Ríos-Jara et al, 2013;Zelenka and Kacetl, 2014) potentially limiting the number of boats/divers/swimmers allowed at one time (Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, 2016; Kasmidi and Gunadharma, 2017); (2) codes of conduct for diving and snorkeling with manta rays become mandatory (see Garrud, 2016;Venables et al, 2016), akin to regulations for whale shark interactions in Ningaloo Reef, Australia (Mau, 2008;Catlin and Jones, 2010); (3) a licensing system for tour operators with penalties for breaches be implemented (Mau, 2008;Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, 2016); and (4) area-time closures be considered as a management option (Tyne et al, 2014;Setyawan et al, 2018) to protect the manta rays from disturbance during the peak time of mating, especially at MP.…”

“…Together, these sites encompass the bulk of the manta ray tourism industry in Indonesia (O'Malley et al, 2013). In addition to CITES and CMS regulations in Indonesia, evidence-based conservation strategies are needed to protect the remaining manta ray populations from the potential threats associated with unregulated tourism (reviewed by Tyne et al, 2014;Trave et al, 2017;Stewart et al, 2018a). Globally, as awareness grows of the chronic stresses to manta rays associated with an increase of tourism, measures aimed at curbing these impacts are underway or planned in some popular manta ray dive sites (e.g., Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Kasmidi and Gunadharma, 2017;and West Hawaii, United States, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, 2016).…”

The importance of spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) resting habitat: implications for management

“…NOAA is considering several management strategies to mitigate the negative effects of human–spinner dolphin interactions (NOAA ), including the use of area closures to reduce the number and intensity of interactions during dolphin resting periods. This strategy proposes to identify specific areas that are important to the population's survival and restricting human access (Tyne, Loneragan & Bejder ).…”

Habitat selection of two island-associated dolphin species from the south-west Indian Ocean

“…Spinner dolphins use a larger depth range (3-720m), and, their spatial distribution can overlap with T. aduncus in the morning (Dulau-Drouot et al, 2008). In general, spinner dolphins are known to undertake daily movements between sheltered bays and reefs, used for resting and social activities in the morning, and offshore waters reached in the late afternoon for nocturnal feeding purposes (Norris et al, 1994;Tyne et al, 2014). Off Reunion, spinner dolphins appear to not favor sheltered and enclosed bays for resting, but rather occur in deeper waters over insular shelf waters (Dulau-Drouot et al 2008).…”