Dive operator use patterns in the designated no-take zones of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS)

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS), created by Congress in 1990, addressed the issue of resource protection partly by proposing 26 "no -take" zones. These areas, discussed in the 1995 Draft Management Plan, dis allowed all extractive activities, and four of the zones also prohibited di ving and snorkeling. Furthermore, the Draft Management Plan considered recr eational carrying capacity, proposing that use densities be studied and eve ntually limited in high-use and sensitive areas. Conducted with 62 commerci al dive operators from the Florida Keys in 1995-96, this study uses geograp hic information systems (GIS) to determine the extent of FKNMS zone use by dive operators, assess the regional importance of FKNMS zones to operators, and compare management strategies by which to allow use while minimizing i mpacts to the coral reef resource. Dive operators took almost 70% of their total trips and 77% of their total divers to FKNMS zones in 1995. Although zone use is generally related to the proximity of dive locations, dive oper ators do rely disproportionately on single sites in certain regions. The re sulting profiles demonstrate that management strategies need to consider di sproportionate use, as well as the average number of users per trip, to eff ectively protect the region's environmental resources. In addition to imple menting a carrying capacity plan, the FKNMS should consider a limited-entry system for dive operators.