DIVER IMPACT STUDY

At the request of Koror State Government, C3 designed and conducted a Diver Impact Survey at three popular dive sites within the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon Area.  120 divers were observed underwater for a period of 10 minutes each and the number and types of interactions they made with various substrate types were recorded. Dive guides were interviewed about perceived impacts and problems at the respective dive sites and baseline data on fish and coral  at the sites were collected to provide a fuller picture of current and past impacts.   

Left: Coral reef survey, Palau

In conclusion, divers appeared to have little obvious impact on the reef, especially on wall dives, where they tended to stay away from the substrate. The damage was certainly negligible in comparison to the mortality observed as a result of the El Nino event in 1997-8. However, management recommendations were provided to Koror State Government so that they can reduce further anthropogenic impacts. In combination with the Marine Tour Guide Certification course, it is hoped that divers will be more carefully controlled by well-informed guides in the future.

Right: Dendronepthya, Palau