The effects of fish feeding by visitors on reef fish in a Marine Protected Area open to tourism

Abstract

Coral reef-based tourism has risen sharply across the globe, coupled with an increase in fish feeding by visitors. Studies indicate that fish feeding is one of the leading causes of changes in distribution patterns, abundance, the structure of marine fish communities, and fish behavior. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of human presence and fish feeding on the behavior of reef fish by conducting in situ experiments in tide pools in a Marine Protected Area located at the northern limit of the Abrolhos Bank in the South Atlantic Ocean. Eight feeding sessions were conducted and filmed, resulting in a total of 160 minutes of video footage. Each filming session recorded four different experimental conditions alternating between human presence, human absence, and fish feeding. Our findings suggest that fish feeding may cause changes in fish behavior, such as habituation to human presence, conditioning to fish feeding, increased aggressiveness, attacks on humans, and short-term changes in species distribution. The continuation of fish feeding over time can cause an increase in the size of the populations of species that consume food provided during feeding and consequently trigger changes in the structure of communities.

Effects of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on coral reef fishes at eco-tourism sites in Bora-Bora, French Polynesia

“…As the vast majority of Bora-Bora's local population work in the tourism industry, the eco-tourism sites are often protected from fishing as unofficial Marine Protected Areas ( Jossinet, 2020 ). Many studies have shown a negative effect of fish feeding such as habituation to human presence, increased aggressiveness, and short-term changes in species distribution (e.g., Burgin and Hardiman, 2015 ; Albuquerque et al, 2015 ; Cruz de Paula et al, 2018 ; Wen et al, 2018 ). However, fewer studies have highlighted the effects of snorkeling on fishes (e.g., Rouphael and Inglis, 2001 ; Binney, 2009 ; Dearden et al, 2010 ).…”

Coral reef ecosystem services in the Anthropocene

“…These examples illustrate that relationships between ecological change and services are highly nonlinear (Daw et al, ), which is significant when anticipating future changes in services and peoples’ response. An example at the local reef scale might include fish feeding, used to enhance tourism services, but which can result in changes in fish behaviour and distribution (De Paula, Schiavetti, Sampaio, & Calderon, ). However, it is increasingly important that changes in ecosystem services are considered within an inter‐connected planet, as changes in local service provision may result in an increased reliance on service providers elsewhere, with the potential for knock‐on effects (Pascual et al, ).…”

To Feed or Not to Feed? Coral Reef Fish Responses to Artificial Feeding and Stakeholder Perceptions in the Aitutaki Lagoon, Cook Islands

“…This likely generates a momentary "landscape of fear" where both predation risk and competition levels increase for smaller fish. Although fish may not necessarily feed on bread, their behavior may be indirectly affected by the bread feeding event (Brookhouse et al, 2013;Paula et al, 2018). Wary species that are regularly spear-fished may react solely to the presence of snorkelers.…”