Understanding the effects of SCUBA divers on blackeye goby (Coryphopterus nicholsi) behaviour in a predation risk framework

Ecotourism activities in which humans experience close contact with animals may affect animal behaviour by eliciting responses analogous to those towards a predatory threat. In addition, an animal’s state may affect the form of its response. This thesis examines the effects of the ecotourism activity of SCUBA diving on the behavioural time allocation and reproductive success of the blackeye goby, Coryphopterus nicholsi, in Barkley Sound, on Vancouver Island, Canada. Using remote observation in both field and laboratory experiments, I found that neither long-term behaviour nor reproductive success are affected by ongoing SCUBA diving activity. However, the immediate presence of divers does result in less time allocated to more risky behaviours. No evidence of habituation was found. Size class of gobies affects both behaviour and reproductive success, especially in a predator-free environment. Larger males allocate less time to risky behaviours, and obtain more spawnings from females, than do smaller males.