| Abstract | The objectives of this research were to evaluate potential negative impacts from snorkeling activity in Tarutao National Park and to propose appropriate measures to diminish adverse impacts on coral reefs through determining four type of carrying capacity i.e. ecological, physical, social, and facility carrying capacity. Ecological and physical carrying capacity were investigated through using reef check technique on April 2009at Ko Phueng and Hin Khao presented as very popular dive sites, and Ko Mai Phai and Ko Kla displayed as less popular diving sites. The result found that Ko Phueng and Hin Khao were categorized as healthy reef conditions, which the ratio of live coral and dead coral was 2.56:1 and 2.07:1 respectively. Ko Mai Phai and Ko Kla were classified as very healthy reef conditions, which the ratio of live coral and dead coral was 3.19:1 and 8.75:1 subsequently. All reef areas were dominated with massive coral form.
Questionnaires survey and group interview were conducted in the park to determine the social and facilities aspects. Three hundred and forty seven tourists, who intended on snorkeling activity, 78 local residents, and 14 tour operators and guides, were interviewed. The result showed that physical carrying capacity of intensive snorkeling sites was determined as low capacity while less intensive dive sites was assessed as high capacity. For ecological carrying capacity, it could not be determined in this study because there are several factors influences, which require continual monitoring of reef conditions. The study of snorkeler perception found that they satisfied the snorkeling activity while local resident perception also showed high satisfaction toward current number of tourist. In terms of boat availability, boat number could facilitate more than 1,000 snorkelers daily which showed adequacy. For providing snorkeling equipments, they were fairly enough toward number of customers excepting during peak season. The determination of the number of mooring buoys at snorkeling sites showed that they were moderate at very popular snorkeling sites while less popular snorkeling sites were assessed as high capacity. Security facilities were relatively moderate while information provision on coral reef conservation and regulations in the park seemed inadequate. Thus, facilities carrying capacity was considered as moderate at very popular snorkeling sites and high at less popular snorkeling sites.
In summary, carrying capacity for snorkeling activity at reef sites at Tarutao Naional Park do not exceed at carrying capacity level. However, some snorkeling areas are limited with physical carrying capacity. The management options should be proposed to alleviate resource damage and increase carrying capacity for snorkeling activity. |