Received: JanuAccepted: SeptemPublished: October 25, 2017Ĭopyright: © 2017 Kessel et al. Patterson, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, AUSTRALIA (2017) Conservation of reef manta rays ( Manta alfredi) in a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Large-scale island development or sustainable tourism? PLoS ONE 12(10):Įditor: Heather M. Conversely, the focused nature of spatial use highlights the potential for reliable ecotourism opportunities.Ĭitation: Kessel ST, Elamin NA, Yurkowski DJ, Chekchak T, Walter RP, Klaus R, et al. Results indicated that the MPA boundaries are spatially appropriate for manta rays in the region, however, a close association to the proposed large-scale development highlights the potential threat of disruption. For all three mantas combined (88.4%), and all individuals (manta 1–92.4%, manta 2–64.9%, manta 3–91.9%), the majority of locations occurred within 15 km of the proposed large-scale island development. The BSSM identified that all three mantas were resident during 99% of transmissions, with 50% and 95% KUD home ranges falling mainly within the MPA boundaries. Of these, 98.5% fell within the MPA boundaries 99.5% for manta 1, 91.5% for manta 2, and 100% for manta 3. A total of 682 BSSM locations were recorded between 30 October 2012 and 6 November 2013. A two-state switching Bayesian state space model (BSSM), that allowed movement parameters to switch between resident and travelling, was fit to the recorded locations, and 50% and 95% kernel utilization distributions (KUD) home ranges calculated. To examine space-use, Wildlife Computers ® SPOT 5 tags were secured to three manta rays. Contrasting economic development trajectories have been proposed for the area (small-scale ecotourism and large-scale island development). Sightings have been predominantly within the boundaries of a marine protected area (MPA), which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2016. A large reef manta ray ( Manta alfredi) aggregation has been observed off the north Sudanese Red Sea coast since the 1950s.
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