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Managing Marine Corridors

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Managing Marine Corridors Managing Marine Corridors James Doucet David Giebenhain Marina Gurbanov Caitlin Slezycki MANAGING MARINE CORRIDORS This project report is submitted in partial fulfillment of the degree requirements of Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the positions or opinions of the University of Puerto Rico or Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Title Page By James Doucet _________________________________ David Giebenhain _________________________________ Marina Gurbanov _________________________________ Caitlin Slezycki _________________________________ Report Submitted to: Professor Ann Garvin Professor Creighton Peet Puerto Rico Project Center In Cooperation With Dr. Maritza Baretto Professor of Marine Geology and Geography University of Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras Date: May 3, 2006 Abstract Human activities have many harmful effects on marine ecosystems. The Fajardo area alone is home to seven marinas, over 40,000 boats, and many construction projects that damage marine environments around them. The goal of this project was to provide recommendations to minimize negative impacts on near shore marine corridors, defined as the interrelated, mangrove, seagrass, and coral reef habitats. To achieve this goal, we determined the major factors in marine corridor deterioration through interviews with fishermen, SCUBA divers, and members of the academic and scientific communities and analysis of fish catch data and remote sensing images. Using these data, we developed recommendations to alleviate impacts from land-based development, overfishing, and recreational overuse. ii Acknowledgements We, the authors of this report, would like to thank our advisors Ann Garvin and Creighton Peet, our project site liaison and sponsor, Professor Maritza Baretto, and our interviewees Graciela Garcia, Jesus León, Professor Manuel Valdes Pizzini, Professor Richard Appeldoorn, Ernesto Diaz, and the fishermen and divers from Fajardo for their time, knowledge, expertise, and help that they provided us in working our way through the project in Puerto Rico. We would also like to acknowledge the help we received from the Caribbean Fishery Management Council and the Department of Natural and Environment Resources. We are grateful to Beatriz Arsuaga and Susan Vernon- Gerstenfeld for taking care of the logistics of the project. Finally, we would like to thank the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras and Worcester Polytechnic Institute for providing us with this opportunity. iii Authorship Editing and revisions were done by all members of the group equally. Title Page – C.S. Abstract – M.G. Acknowledgements – M.G. Authorship – M.G. Executive Summary – J.D. Chapter 1 – M.G. Chapter 2 2.0 – D.G. 2.1 – D.G. 2.2 – D.G. 2.3 – C.S. 2.4 – D.G. 2.5 – J.D. 2.6 – D.G. 2.7 – D.G. Chapter 3 3.0 – D.G. 3.1 – M.G. 3.2 – D.G. 3.3 – J.D. 3.4 - Group Chapter 4 4.0 – M.G. 4.1 – D.G. 4.2 – C.S. & J.D. 4.3 – C.S. & J.D. 4.4 – J.D. 4.5 – M.G. 4.6 - Group Chapter 5 5.0 – Group 5.1 – D.G. 5.2 – C.S. 5.3 – M.G. 5.4 – J.D. 5.5 – D.G. 5.6 – J.D. References – Group Appendix A Interview Protocols – Group iv Richard Appeldoorn Interview Summary – M.G. Ernesto Diaz Interview Summary– C.S. Graciela Garcia Interview Summary– C.S. Manuel Valdes Pizzini Interview Summary – D.G. Appendix B Interview Protocol - Group Fishermen Interview Summaries – J.D. Appendix C Visual Representation of Fishermen Interviews – C.S. Appendix D Interview Protocol – Group Dive Shop Interview Summaries – J.D. Appendix E Interview Protocols – Group Lauren Mathews Interview Summary – D.G. Lauren Mathews Interview Transcript – C.S. Tim Downs Interview Transcript – C.S. Maritza Barreto Interview Summary – C.S. Maritza Barreto Interview Transcript – C.S. Appendix F Fish Catch Data – J.D. Appendix G Aerial Photos – D.G. Appendix I Shallow Water vs. Deep Water Fisheries – C.S. Appendix L Global warming – J.D. Algae Blooms – J.D. Aquatic Invasive Species – J.D. Appendix M Conservation Organizations – D.G. Appendix N Glossary – C.S. Appendix O Guide Sample Pages - J.D. Appendix P Sponsor Description – J.D. Authorship Page Key: J.D. = James Doucet D.G. = David Giebenhain M.G. = Marina Gurbanov C.S. = Caitlin Slezycki v Table of Contents Title Page..............................................................................................................................i Abstract ...............................................................................................................................ii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................iii Authorship..........................................................................................................................iv Table of Contents ...............................................................................................................vi Table of Figures .................................................................................................................ix List of Tables......................................................................................................................ix Executive Summary ............................................................................................................x 1 Introduction.................................................................................................................1 2 Background and Literature Review.............................................................................4 2.1 Tragedy of the Commons.................................................................................... 4 2.2 Marine Corridors.................................................................................................5 2.2.1 Mangroves...................................................................................................5 2.2.2 Seagrasses....................................................................................................6 2.2.3 Coral Reefs..................................................................................................7 2.3 Fishing.................................................................................................................9 2.3.1 Puerto Rican Fishermen.............................................................................. 9 2.3.2 Marine Species..........................................................................................10 2.3.3 Fishing Techniques ................................................................................... 14 2.3.4 Laws and Regulations ............................................................................... 16 2.3.5 Enforcement of Laws and Regulations .....................................................17 2.4 Tourism .............................................................................................................20 2.4.1 Scuba Diving.............................................................................................20 2.4.2 Other Forms of Tourism............................................................................ 22 2.5 Development .....................................................................................................22 2.5.1 Urban Sprawl.............................................................................................23 2.5.2 Resort Development.................................................................................. 23 2.5.3 Marine Pollution........................................................................................24 2.5.4 Laws and Regulations Regarding Marine Areas and Activities ...............25 2.6 Organizations ....................................................................................................26 2.7 Conclusion.........................................................................................................27 3 Methodology .............................................................................................................29 3.1 Observation and Interviews............................................................................... 29 3.2 Ecological Studies.............................................................................................32 3.2.1 Remote Sensing......................................................................................... 33 3.2.2 Fish Catches ..............................................................................................33 3.2.3 Analysis.....................................................................................................34 3.3 Conclusion.........................................................................................................35 4 Results and Analysis .................................................................................................36 4.1 Connection between Marine Corridor Health and Fish Populations ................36 4.2 Harmful and Beneficial Practices of Fishermen ...............................................39 4.3 Harmful and Beneficial Practices of Divers......................................................44 4.4 Observed Changes in Marine Corridors............................................................45 vi 4.5 Additional Detrimental Factors......................................................................... 47 4.6 Conclusion.........................................................................................................49 5 Conclusions and Recommendations.........................................................................
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