Yasawa Annual Report 2022

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Figure 24 - Radar plot to show how the wind affects manta sightings from 2013-2022 at the Manta Channel, Yasawa Islands, FijiFigure 25 - Bubble plot showing manta sightings related to SST and plankton density recorded (0-5) at the Manta Channel, Yasawa Islands, Fiji30
10. TourismTourism accounts for approximately 38 % of Fiji’s GDP (IFC Business Survey, 2020), with manta raytourism estimated to account for roughly $1,587,973 USD in 2013 (O’Malley, 2013), this figure,before COVID-19 (2019) was likely much higher. Nature-based tourism can provide a mechanismto support local conservation initiatives through financial support, non-financial contributions,socio-economic incentives, and education (Ingram et.al 2014). This mechanism has been proven tobe successful within Fiji, diving with sharks in Pacific Harbour has helped spur conservation plansbenefiting both the local communities, businesses, and wildlife (Brunnschweller JM. 2010).Using data collected between 2013 - 2019 and 2022 (excluding 2017) by MPF researchers andby using a conservative payment price for swimming with manta rays at the Manta Channel takenfrom Murphy et al. ‘Examination of tourists’ willingness to pay under different conservationscenarios; Evidence from reef manta ray snorkelling in Fiji’ of $22.5 USD and by using the averagenumber of snorkellers present per day with mantas, the number of days mantas are present perseason, we can reach (with the assumption tourists are not charged when no manta rays are present)conservative figures for income to the region from manta ray snorkelling can be attained.The Manta Channel has traditionally seen very high tourism activity, with on average 5139 snorkellersand 681 boats visiting the channel between April - October each year of 2013 - 2019 (Table3). The 2020 and 2021 manta seasons were unique due to the Yasawa Island chain being closedfor land-based tourism because of COVID-19, the only tourists to visit the channel was a vastlyreduced number of yachts. This meant data could be collected with dramatically reduced tourismpressure in the Manta Channel, we documented an 87 % reduction in visitors to the Manta Channeland an 81 % reduction in boat traffic at the site compared to the average (Table 3).31
Page 1 and 2: The Yasawa IslandsAnnual Report2022
Page 3 and 4: Executive SummaryThis report presen
Page 5 and 6: Manta Project Fiji (MPF) currently
Page 7 and 8: 1.1. The Yasawa IslandsThe Yasawa I
Page 9 and 10: 3.2. 2020 & 2021The 2020 & 2021 sur
Page 11 and 12: 4.1. Oceanic manta ray sighting tre
Page 13 and 14: Consistent with the increase in sig
Page 15 and 16: During the 2022 season the highest
Page 17 and 18: When looking at the discovery curve
Page 19 and 20: 5.4. New IndividualsDuring the 2022
Page 21 and 22: 6. Residency & MigrationThe populat
Page 23 and 24: Figure 18 - Dot plot showing manta
Page 25 and 26: RabiIslandNamena IslandWakayaIsland
Page 27 and 28: The gestation period of manta rays
Page 29: 9. Environmental VariablesManta ray
Page 33 and 34: Figure 26 - Bubble plot showing ann
Page 35 and 36: Little is known about other critica
Page 37 and 38: MPF is dedicated to assist local co
Page 39: The report was compiled by :Luke Go

Yasawa Annual Report 2022

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