Well-managed marine protected areas can boost scuba diving diving tourism revenues by up to 252%, linking reef recovery and fish biomass to stronger coastal economies.
That is the conclusion of recent research led by scientists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego.
The team focused on fish biomass, a widely used indicator of reef health that is already monitored at many sites around the world.
By comparing fish biomass levels with dive prices at 23 sites across three ocean regions, the researchers found a clear trend:
- Dive sites with a greater abundance of fish tended to command higher prices.
- Their projections suggest that, if properly implemented, marine protected areas could see revenues from scuba diving tourism increase by up to 252% over a ten-year period.
However, profits depend heavily on the effectiveness of management. Areas that retain their protected status but lack robust enforcement could see a decline in revenue as fish stocks continue to decline.
“Ecotourism ”is a key part of these non-extractive economies, often equalling or exceeding the economic impact of extractive uses of the oceans. We define dive tourism not just as a market but as part of a broader strategy for coastal prosperity, where ecosystem recovery supports small businesses, municipal revenues and local employment,” the study states.
Source: tourismtoday.gr