Factors influencing to the inappropriate behaviors for scuba diving in coral reef

Abstract

The study of factors influencing to the inappropriate behaviors of SCUBA divers in coral reef areas was done. The study performed by Quota sampling technique which the data was collected from 279 divers. The frequency of inappropriate behaviors of divers was recorded for in 10 minutes each. The results show that the average contacts, damage and interference to aquatic organisms made by individual divers were 2.20 0.22, 0.02 ? 0.01 and 1.70 0.20, respectively. No significant difference of factors of contact and damage made by divers, but there was significant difference between nationality (t = 5.24; df = 277; p < 0.001) and pointer possession (t = 2.59; df = 277; p < 0.01) with the number of times divers made interference the aquatic organisms. This study results can be used to propose the guidelines and management strategies for conservative and sustainable of SCUBA diving in the coral reef.