Impact of recreational scuba diving on coral reefs in Seychelles

This datset was obtained from 205 recreational scuba divers who dived around the island of Praslin, Seychelles. Data on diver demographics, environmental variables and dive characteristics were collected and collated in order to assess what variables were mostly influencing diver contact rates on coral reefs at dive sites. Information for diver demographics were taken from the forms required by the dive operator to dive with them. Environmental variables (depth and temperature) were taken with a Scubapro Chromis dive computer. Diver contacts were recorded for the first 20 minutes of a scuba diver after a 1 minute adjustment period. Up to four divers in a group were surveyed per dive and divers were only surveyed once. The surveyor was responsible for all the data collection and stayed approximately 3-5 metres behind or to the side of the dive group and posed as a client to avoid arousing suspicion, thus influecing behavioural changes. The type of physical contact made by divers were first classified into categories (grabbing hold, pushing offs, leg touches, knee etc) and were then split into intentional and unintentional contacts. Each contact was then classified by the severity of the impact i.e. break, fragment, abrasion etc. Also noted was the marine organism that was contacted at that time. Contacts from the contact type were totalled. Variables from the diver demographics, environmental factors and dive characteristics were analysed against the total contacts made by individual divers. This research was commissioned by the Seychelles National Park Authority and abided by the ethical requirements of undertaking this study.