Recreational Vessels Research Articles

Soundscapes experienced by southern resident killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the Salish Sea and implications of vessel noise

Endangered southern resident killer whales (SRKW, Orcinus orca) use waters of the Salish Sea around southern British Columbia and northern Washington State to forage, following the in- migration of prey. However, these waterways experience heavy vessel traffic, with important SRKW foraging areas near to international shipping lanes. Here we use recordings from six passive acoustic moorings to characterize the soundscape, and determine spatiotemporal patterns on daily to annual scales. Particular focus is given to the noise levels in frequencies used by SRKW to communicate and echolocate. A numerical model is used to map the sound field between the mooring locations and examine the anthropogenic inputs in SRKW critical habitat in the Salish Sea by commercial traffic. Extrapolation of the model output to higher frequencies allows an examination of the impact this may have on the range of effective acoustics use, with implications for SRKW navigation, foraging success and group cohesion. Finer scale analysis of vessel signatures as they transit the study area aids in identifying areas of increased risk of disturbance for whales. In addition, differences in modelled to observed data will help the characterisation of other sonic inputs to the soundscape, including smaller recreational vessels.

Using aerial surveys to fill gaps in AIS vessel traffic data to inform threat assessments, vessel management and planning

AIS (Automatic Identification System) is a widely used source of data to spatially and temporally characterize marine vessel traffic and to subsequently estimate the direct and indirect threats maritime activities pose to marine and coastal environments. However, AIS data do not capture all vessel traffic in an area because not all vessels (e.g., recreational vessels) are required to carry AIS transponders. The goal of this study is to quantify the proportion of vessel traffic not transmitting AIS data by employing dedicated aerial surveys that simultaneously capture AIS data and georeferenced imagery of non-AIS vessels on the Canadian Pacific coast. Results show that 70% of vessel traffic in the surveyed area do not transmit AIS. The majority of these non-AIS vessels are recreational, making up 53% of the total vessels sighted. Analysis of historical AIS data in the survey area shows a steady increase in the voluntary uptake of AIS in the last decade. Results of this study can be used to adjust vessel traffic estimates and associated threats that are exclusively based on AIS data. This information can also benefit managers and policy makers that rely on AIS data when developing vessel traffic management measures to mitigate threats and to inform regional marine spatial plans. Place-specific studies to quantify marine vessel traffic missed by AIS are encouraged in coastal areas with high density of small vessel traffic.

The Efficacy of Management Measures to Reduce Vessel Noise in Critical Habitat of Southern Resident Killer Whales in the Salish Sea

The inland waters around southern Vancouver Island and northern Washington State, known as the Salish Sea, host critical habitat for endangered southern resident killer whales (SRKW). This is, however, a highly traversed area, with approaches to industrial ports and coastal cities, international shipping lanes, ferry routes, and considerable recreational vessel traffic. Vessel noise is a key threat to SRKW prosperity, and so conservation measures directed to mitigate its effects have been explored annually since 2017. Here, we describe trials undertaken in 2020, which included spatially limited slowdown zones, exclusion areas as Interim whale Sanctuary Zones (ISZs), and a lateral displacement of tug transits to increase the distance between their route and SRKW foraging areas. To assess each of the measures we first considered the level of mariner participation using data from the Automated Identification Systems (AIS), mandatory for commercial vessels. Knowing this, the changes in soundscape were examined, focused on impacts on broadband (10 Hz to 100 kHz) ambient noise and the frequencies used by SRKW for communication (500 Hz to 15 kHz) and echolocation (15 to 100 kHz). A control period of two-months prior to trial initiation was used to quantify the changes. High levels (> 80%) of compliance were found for each measure, except ISZs, where observance was low. Median reduction in speeds ranged from 0.2–3.5 knots. Resulting sound reductions were most notable in the lower frequencies, although reductions were also recorded in SRKW pertinent ranges. Tug displacement also reduced ambient noise in these frequencies, despite making up a small portion of the overall traffic. The management trials were effective in reducing potential impacts singularly and in concert. Greater awareness and stakeholder engagement may increase compliance and, therefore, the efficacy of measures in the future.

MaDCrow, a Citizen Science Infrastructure to Monitor Water Quality in the Gulf of Trieste (North Adriatic Sea)

Within the United Nations Sustainable Development 2030 agenda, sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sector needs sea water quality monitoring. This is a very demanding and expensive task which results in the sea being largely undersampled. MaDCrow is a research and development project supported by the European Regional Development Fund, that involves citizens as data collectors while aiming to improve public environmental awareness and participation in scientific research. Its goal is to create an innovative technological infrastructure for real-time acquisition, integration and access of data, thus generating knowledge on sea water quality and marine ecosystem of the Gulf of Trieste. Data acquisition is based on an autonomous and removable device, developed within the project, that can be deployed on any small size sailing boat, recreational vessel, or fishing boat. The device holds low-cost sensors to measure pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and salinity and the hardware and software to acquire, georeference and transmit the environmental data without interfering with the activities of the boats. In this work we analyze the use, capabilities and advantages of low-cost sensors but also their limitations, comparing, with a special focus on pH, their performances with those of the traditional ones. Applying the paradigm in a highly anthropized area such as the Gulf of Trieste, which is characterized also by a very high spatial and temporal variability of environments, we point out that this new approach allows to monitor sea water quality and highlight local anomalies with a resolution and spatial and temporal coverage that was not achievable with previous procedures, but yet at very low costs. Once received, data are then processed and submitted to a mediation flow that contextualizes and disseminates them for public use on a website. The final products have been customized to reach stakeholders such as tourists, fishermen and policy makers. The availability of information understandable to everyone, while fostering environmental awareness, stimulates, at the same time, involvement and participation of citizen scientists in the initiative. In the future, while committing to enlarge the number of participants, we will extend the analysis also toward other types of sensors.

A Gulf in lockdown: How an enforced ban on recreational vessels increased dolphin and fish communication ranges.

From midnight of 26 March 2020, New Zealand became one of the first countries to enter a strict lockdown to combat the spread of COVID-19. The lockdown banned all non-essential services and travel both on land and sea. Overnight, the country's busiest coastal waterway, the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, became devoid of almost all recreational and non-essential commercial vessels. An almost instant change in the marine soundscape ensued, with ambient sound levels in busy channels dropping nearly threefold the first 12h. This sudden drop led fish and dolphins to experience an immediate increase in their communication ranges by up to an estimated 65%. Very low vessel activity during the lockdown (indicated by the presence of vessel noise over the day) revealed new insights into cumulative noise effects from vessels on auditory masking. For example, at sites nearer Auckland City, communication ranges increased approximately 18m (22%) or 50m (11%) for every 10% decrease in vessel activity for fish and dolphins, respectively. However, further from the city and in deeper water, these communication ranges were increased by approximately 13m (31%) or 510m (20%). These new data demonstrate how noise from small vessels can impact underwater soundscapes and how marine animals will have to adapt to ever-growing noise pollution.

Characterizing human interactions with bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Tampa Bay

ABSTRACT Human interaction (HI) is known to disturb cetaceans. Regional wildlife interaction guidelines exist to mitigate harmful impacts, but the efficacy of these guidelines is understudied. HI with bottlenose dolphins was documented opportunistically in Tampa Bay from 2009 to 2018. Vessel compliance to the guidelines was low with 80% of encounters being non-compliant. HI was observed in 33% of days in the field and in 22% of dolphin sightings. Poisson regression identified vessel type as a strong key factor related to compliance, with faster more maneuverable boats more likely to be non-compliant. Additionally, HI involved recreational vessels much more frequently than tourism vessels. These results likely underestimate true HI rates because of sampling limitations. Researchers should opportunistically document HI including vessel characteristics and vessel behavior to help quantify compliance. When developing HI guidelines and their promotion, managers should carefully consider which stakeholders engage in HI to best direct resources to that audience.

Initial insights on the impact of COVID-19 on boat-based recreational fishing in Western Australia

The COVID-19 global pandemic and subsequent implementation of measures to reduce contact within the community have affected fisheries worldwide, yet few studies have reported the impacts on recreational fisheries. This study investigates boat-based recreational fishing in Western Australia from March to August 2020, where COVID-19 measures relevant to recreational fishers included various travel restrictions, and social and physical distancing measures. Information from surveys of licensed recreational fishers and fisheries compliance officers, and camera footage from key boat ramps is presented. A lower proportion of Perth metropolitan fishers went fishing compared with regional fishers. Metropolitan fishers also reported fewer days fished and lower participation in demersal and shore-based line fishing than regional fishers. In contrast, compliance officers observed more fishing activity in both metropolitan and regional locations. Fishing plans were mostly affected by travel restrictions with more metropolitan fishers affected compared with regional fishers. Daily recreational vessel retrievals at key boat ramps varied between locations, with metropolitan fishers initially unable to travel to regional centres. There was no decline in vessel retrievals at metropolitan boat ramps during the most rigid restrictions and northern regional boat ramps experienced substantial increases in recreational vessel activity once travel restrictions eased. Studies of this kind highlight the value of utilising established recreational fishing monitoring programmes to provide a responsive and scientific basis for policymakers to address societal behavioural changes associated with atypical events such as COVID-19.

Exploring how vessel activity influences the soundscape at a navigation lock on the Mississippi River

Vessel sound is now globally recognized as a significant and pervasive pollutant to aquatic life. However, compared to marine environments, there is a paucity of data on sound emitted by vessel activity in freshwater habitats. The Upper Mississippi River (UMR) is home to a diverse array of aquatic life as well as being a key route for barge transportation with 29 locks and dams. In this study, passive acoustic monitoring was conducted at Lock and Dam 19 near Keokuk, Iowa, on the UMR between 20 June – August 28, 2019 to coincide with peak navigation use. There was a significant increase in median sound pressure level (SPL; 50–12,000 Hz) recorded during vessel passages (123 dB re. 1μPa for recreational vessels and 137 dB re. 1μPa for commercial vessels) compared to median background levels (111 dB re. 1μPa). Results provide information on the ambient soundscape at a navigation lock, providing a baseline essential for future studies gauging the effect of anthropogenic sound on aquatic life. Lock 19 has also been identified as a potential site for acoustic deterrent deployment to prevent invasive fish movements. The results of this study can help determine the sound level or frequency deterrents would need to emit, to avoid those currently produced during vessel passage.

Effect of COVID-19 spring lockdown on low-frequency ambient noise levels along the Brittany coast

Shipping noise is a major source of ocean noise in Brest bay, and includes cargo vessels, navy ships, fishing boats and recreational vessels with frequencies overlapping the range of marine animal sound emission. Changes in vessel activity provide unique opportunities to quantify the relationship between traffic levels and soundscape conditions in biologically important habitats. Using an autonomous recorder deployed from March 20 to July 29 2019 inside Sainte-Anne harbor in Brest area we assessed the effect of the 2020 spring COVID-19 lockdown (March 17 to May 11) on ambient noise levels. We measured the mean power spectral density levels in different third-octave bands (including Marine Strategy Framework Directive bands centered on 63 Hz and 125 Hz). The March 20–May 15 (during lockdown) levels were up to 2.6 dB re 1 μPa2/Hz below the May 15–July 28th (after lockdown) levels, corresponding to nearly a halving of acoustic power.

Quiet oceans: United States Virgin Islands coral reef soundscapes in the age of coronavirus

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented changes in human behavior around the world. These changes have impacted local soundscapes in both terrestrial and marine environments resulting in a global ‘quieting’ event that has allowed for the opportunity to evaluate the activity of soniferous organisms in unique acoustic environments. Across the world’s oceans, patterns of commercial, research, and recreational vessel traffic have all been altered, with corresponding alterations in the anthropogenic contribution to underwater noise. To assess these changes we used long-term acoustic recorders at three different coral reef sites on the Southern coast of the island of St. John in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). We compared conditions pre-coronavirus outbreak (2019) and post-outbreak (2020) and found a decrease in the incidence of boat noise over the course of the pandemic. Because anthropogenic noise tends to overlap with the low frequencies used by marine fishes and invertebrates for sound production and detection, we predicted that changes in boat noise patterns would lead to concurrent changes in biological sound production of coral reef organisms. Understanding the impacts of this “quiet time” on marine organismal activity in the USVI could play a role in worldwide coral reef acoustic studies and conservation efforts.

Побережья, на которых мы все живем: может ли быть единое определение приморской зоны?

Throughout the history of humankind, people have settled along seashores. The gradual accumulation of population and industrial activity in coastal areas has created preconditions for coastalisation — the movement of people and socio-economic activity to marine coasts. To date, coastal areas have a higher rate of economic development, fostering migration and an influx of capital across the globe. Scholars and policymakers voice concerns about the asymmetry of regional development and the increasing anthropogenic impact on the coastal ecosystem. It reinforces the importance of coastal zone management. In this study, we use an example of the Baltic region to identify the coastalisation patterns in the Baltic region and answer the question, whether there can be a single definition of the coastal zone of the Baltic region. According to a broad definition, the Baltic macro-region is nearly all coastal and, consequently, all settlements are influenced by the coastalisation effect. We have studied the urban population dynamics in 128 cities of 45 coastal regions through the lens of various characteristics of a coastal city — the distance from the sea (10, 50, 100, and 150 km), location in a coastal region (NUTS 2), availability of a port and its primary maritime activity (tankers, cargo, fishing, passenger, recreational vessels and others). The research results suggest that despite the strong coherence of the Baltic region countries, there should not be a single delimitation approach to defining the coastal zone. Overall, the most active marine economic processes occur in the zone up to 10 km from the seacoast and 30 km from ports and port infrastructure. However, in the case of Sweden, Poland, and Latvia, the coastal zone can be extended to 50 km, and in Germany — up to 150 km inland.

Assessing anthropogenic risk to sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) for reintroduction into San Francisco Bay.

Southern sea otters have been actively managed for their conservation and recovery since listing on the federal Endangered Species Act in 1977. Still, they remain constrained to a geographically small area on the central coast of California relative to their former coast-wide range, with population numbers far below those of the estimated optimal sustainable population size. Species managers have discussed reintroducing southern sea otters into parts of their historic range to facilitate sustained population growth and geographic range expansion. San Francisco Bay (SFB), historically home to several thousand sea otters, is one location identified as a candidate release site for these reintroductions. The return of sea otters to SFB could bring benefits to local ecosystem restoration and tourism, in addition to spurring sea otter population growth to meet recovery goals. However, this is a highly urbanized estuary, so sea otters could also be exposed to serious anthropogenic threats that would challenge a successful reintroduction. In light of these potential detriments we performed a spatially-explicit risk assessment to analyze the suitability of SFB for southern sea otter reintroduction. We looked at threats to sea otters specific to SFB, including: the impacts of vessel traffic from commercial shipping, high-speed ferries, and recreational vessels; environmental contaminants of methylmercury and polychlorinated biphenyls; major oil spills; and commercial fishing. Factors that influenced the relative threat imposed by each stressor included the spatio-temporal extent and intensity of the stressor and its mitigation potential. Our analysis revealed the complex spatial and temporal variation in risk distribution across the SFB. The type and magnitude of anthropogenic risk was not uniformly distributed across the study area. For example, the central SFB housed the greatest cumulative risk, where a high degree of vessel traffic and other stressors occurred in conjunction. The individual stressors that contributed to this risk score varied across different parts of the study area as well. Whereas vessel traffic, particularly of fast ferries, was a high scoring risk factor in in the north and central bay, in the south bay it was environmental contaminants that caused greater risk potential. To help identify areas within the study area that managers might want to target for release efforts, the spatially-explicit risk map revealed pockets of SFB that could provide both suitable habitat and relatively low overall risk. However in some cases these were adjacent or in close proximity to identified high-risk portions of habitat in SFB. This predictive suitability and risk assessment can be used by managers to consider the spatial distribution of potential threats, and risk abatement that may be necessary for sea otters to re-occupy their historic home range in SFB.

Metabarcoding as a tool to enhance marine surveillance of nonindigenous species in tropical harbors: A case study in Tahiti

AbstractGlobalization has increased connectivity between countries enhancing the spread of marine nonindigenous species (NIS). The establishment of marine NIS shows substantial negative effects on the structure and functioning of the natural ecosystems by competing for habitats and resources. Ports are often hubs for the spread of NIS via commercial and recreational vessels. Prevention, detection, and mitigation efforts are required to avoid and manage the establishment of NIS in new ecosystems. In this study, metabarcoding approaches targeting the nuclear small‐subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene were used to investigate planktonic and sessile (i.e., biofouling) communities and NIS at four locations in Tahiti, including two marinas and one port with varying anthropogenic impacts, and a relatively pristine site (Manava) used as a control. ASV richness values showed significant differences (18S rRNA gene: p = .023; COI: p < .001) between locations in the plankton samples, with the control site (low impact) having the highest diversity for both genes. ASV richness was also significantly different among locations for the biofouling samples in the COI dataset (p = .002). Community composition differed between locations with spatial patterns appearing stronger for the plankton samples compared with the biofouling samples. Detection of NIS based on selected lists of globally invasive species revealed a wide diversity of potentially invasive taxa especially in the more anthropogenically impacted regions. The use of a multigene approach improved the detection of NIS. This study demonstrates the utility of using a metabarcoding approach to routinely monitor areas most at risk from NIS establishment in Tahiti and other coastal nations. These coastal nations are vulnerable to shipping‐mediated incursions, and baseline information is required for both native diversity and nonindigenous diversity.

Correlation Between Strong Wind and Leisure Craft Grounding in Croatian Waters

This paper examines the correlation between strong wind and the frequency of small leisure craft grounding by analysing the available data on maritime accidents in the Adriatic. The primary goal of this study was to verify the hypothesis from prior research that strong wind is the prime cause of groundings in certain areas of the Adriatic. Contrary to the conclusions of the prior research, the new analysis indicates a far more uniform spatial distribution of wind-caused grounding accidents across all the examined areas of Croatian Adriatic waters. Furthermore, the analysis indicates that most grounding accidents occur in light wind conditions, suggesting that groundings can predominantly be attributed to factors other than strong wind. Several important drawbacks of the analysis stemming from the lack of accurate data on accidents in Croatian waters are discussed and suggestions given for the improved collection thereof that would greatly contribute to the future research on this topic. The inability to determine the exact causes of particular accidents from available data makes it impossible to accurately establish the number of grounding accidents caused by strong wind. In the future, more detailed statistical data could improve our understanding of the correlation between adverse weather conditions and recreational vessel accidents in the Adriatic.

Coupling breakwalls with oyster restoration structures enhances living shoreline performance along energetic shorelines

Interest and investment in constructing living shorelines rather than harder engineering structures are on the rise worldwide. However, the performance of these interventions in rejuvenating coastal habitats, depositing fine sediments with elevated organic content, and reducing erosion varies widely and is often low along energetic shorelines. In this study, we test the efficacy of a living shoreline design that couples breakwalls and oyster restoration structures, in protecting coastal estuarine ecosystems and their services along energetic shorelines. A field experiment was conducted between 2015 and 2019 along a section of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in northeast Florida, which experiences commercial and recreational vessel traffic. We discovered that organic matter, silt and clay content all increased in sediments collected in the living shorelines compared to paired control treatments. In addition, oysters established and developed into robust reefs on the gabions – wire cages filled with seasoned oyster shells - that were used to facilitate oyster recovery within this living shorelines design, although oyster growth was highest where the gabions were placed at lower intertidal elevations. Additionally, salt marsh cordgrass along shoreline margins protected by the living shoreline structures remained stable or began advancing toward the Intracoastal Waterway channel at rates of ~1 m per year, whereas cordgrass in control treatments retreated at rates approaching 2 m per year. This study provides powerful evidence that vessel wake stress is indeed driving ecosystem loss and that simple nature-based living shoreline structures designed to dissipate this energy can slow or reverse ecosystem decline. More research is needed to optimize these nature-based solutions for shoreline protection in coastal and estuarine settings, and to improve their durability.

Recreational boaters’ preferences for boating trips associated with offshore wind farms in US waters

This study used a stated preference approach to assess potential impacts of offshore wind farms on recreational boaters in and around Rhode Island (US) waters. To develop the stated preference survey, seven focus groups were conducted with recreational boaters in Rhode Island (RI) in 2017. A combined mail and on-line choice experiment survey was administered in the spring and summer 2018 to 2500 owners of US Coast Guard-documented recreational vessels with a hailing port in Rhode Island. The survey instrument elicited recreational boaters’ preferences for particular attributes of a recreational boating trip (location, proximity to a wind farm, amount of nearby boating activity, main activity during trip, trip costs). Data were analyzed using the mixed logit model to understand how changes in individual attributes affect the acceptability of a boating trip. Findings indicate that the value of a recreational boating experience is considerably reduced in areas with offshore wind farms. Findings from this study provide valuable insights into the potential impacts of the growing offshore wind industry on one group of marine resource users and potential management strategies for addressing these impacts in the US.

Compliance of small vessels to minimum distance regulations for humpback and killer whales in the Salish Sea

To support optimal monitoring and enforcement investment, management aimed at minimizing disturbance to wildlife requires an understanding of how regulatory compliance might vary spatially as well as across species and human-user groups. In the Salish Sea, humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and two ecotypes (southern resident and Bigg's) of killer whales (Orcinus orca) now interact with a large and growing number of small commercial and recreational vessels that partake in whale watching. Those vessels often approach close to cetaceans and thus pose risk via collision, marine noise and pollution, exposure to which may result in disturbance, injury and death. The primary management tool for mitigating impacts is minimum distance regulations. Compliance, however, is poorly understood. We examined commercial and recreational small vessel compliance with viewing distances across two seasons (June–September 2018 and 2019) in over ≈404 h of on-water observation. Overall vessel compliance was nearly 80%, but several distinct patterns emerged. Recreational boats were significantly more likely to violate distance regulations and boaters were more likely to be non-compliant around killer whales. Compliance did not vary with day of week or time of day. Spatially, non-compliance was concentrated in waters closer to coastal communities. Collectively, these patterns suggest that optimal enforcement could be targeted to identify areas of high non-compliance, especially for killer whales, with effort spread across days and times. Finally, we discuss how investments in education could target recreational boaters at a time when multiple and interacting stressors are accumulating in the Salish Sea.

Environmental and health impacts of electric service vessels in the recreational boating industry

Abstract Recreational boating is increasing in popularity worldwide, prompting challenges concerning pollution management, aquatic ecosystem preservation, and waterway access. Electric boating technology may provide a sustainable alternative to gasoline-powered boats, helping to address these challenges. In this study, the environmental and health impacts associated with using electric service vessels in the recreational boating industry were assessed. The focus was on pump-out boats, which enable the sanitary management of human waste generated onboard recreational vessels, as a tractable model of the whole recreational boating service sector. To query stakeholder attitudes about changing to electric technology, surveys were distributed to a nationwide network of pump-out boat service providers. A wide range of attitudes exists among this group towards the adoption of electric technology, and financial concerns dominate the anticipated barriers to electric technology adoption. A life-cycle assessment of electric and gasoline-powered pump-out boats revealed that electric boats have lower lifetime greenhouse gas emissions than do gasoline-powered equivalents, especially when electric boats are charged using renewable resources. Our study demonstrates that already-existing electric technology is a sustainable alternative to gasoline combustion in the boating service sector, and identifies the key challenges remaining for the widespread adoption of electric service boats.

The analysis of recreational vessel groundings in Croatian waters of the Adriatic Sea

Recreational vessel accidents during summer seasons in Adriatic Sea frequently occur when seasonal traffic significantly increases. In this paper, the database containing data on recreational vessel groundings from 2013 up to 2019 has been analyzed. Data distributions have been calculated, and characteristic patterns are noted. Statistical auto-regressive model SARIMAX has been used to create existing grounding data time-series, and to forecast trends for the next five years. The findings show that majority of groundings happen during night hours, suggesting that dominant causes of those accidents are human error related. Weather conditions have also been detected as one of causes of groundings, particularly north-east winds and thunderstorms. The slowly increasing trend of annual groundings is forecasted and recommendation to improve skipper’s education and training has been given to mitigate future increase.

Unwanted networks: Vessel traffic heightens the risk of invasions in marine protected areas

Invasive species pose a significant threat to a primary objective of marine conservation, protecting native biodiversity. To-date, research quantifying invasion risk to marine protected areas (MPAs) is limited despite potential negative consequences. As a first step towards identifying invasion risk to MPAs via vessel ballast or biofouling, we evaluated vessel traffic patterns by applying graph-theoretic concepts for 1346 vessels that connected invaded areas (‘invasion nodes’) along the Northeast Pacific coast to MPAs within Canadian waters in 2016. We found that 29% of MPAs overlapped with invasion nodes and 70% were connected to invasion nodes via vessel traffic. Recreational vessels were most prevalent within invasion and MPA nodes, made the most connections between invasion nodes and MPAs, and spent the most time within nodes. Vessel connections increased in summer and with spatial extent and dock area at invasion and MPA nodes, as well as for MPAs with minimal regulatory protection. Results from this work highlight risk posed by vessels as a vector for nonindigenous species spread and present an opportunity to develop improved management measures to help protect MPAs. Such an approach can be applied to vector interactions with protected areas across biomes for targeted invasion management.