Scuba diving isn’t just a thrilling adventure for millions worldwide—it’s part of a multi-billion-dollar industry. With over 50.7 million dives happening globally each year, this sector is a significant contributor to tourism. Now, new research suggests there’s an untapped billion-dollar opportunity that could both protect marine ecosystems and boost the economy—upgrading dive sites into fully protected Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
A recent study published on February 15, after three years of research by National Geographic Pristine Seas and the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), shows that transforming existing dive sites into MPAs could increase demand for diving by 32%, leading to an estimated $2.7 billion in additional revenue annually.
Divers Are Willing to Pay More for Protected Sites
Currently, the median price per dive is $58.75. However, divers are willing to pay an additional $53 per dive when the site is fully protected, pushing the median price to $111.75. The increased demand, paired with higher pricing, could nearly double the revenue potential from $953 million to approximately $1.81 billion annually.
Despite 67.35% of dive sites already being part of an MPA, only 15.48% of total dives occur in highly or fully protected areas. The study concludes that even upgrading just 15% more sites could increase revenue by $865 million annually, in addition to the projected 32% rise in demand.
MPAs Could Boost Marine Life
The environmental impact of expanding MPAs is also significant. The study estimates that fully protecting all unprotected dive sites could increase marine life biomass by 113% on average. Additionally, if 1% of ocean areas used for recreational scuba diving were designated as highly protected MPAs, global biodiversity could increase by 5%.
Key Dive Locations for Future MPAs
The study identified that 51.69% of all recreational dives happen in just eight countries: Egypt, Thailand, the United States, Indonesia, Australia, the Philippines, Mexico, and Malaysia. Establishing new MPAs in these regions could significantly increase dive tourism, with 61% of the increased activity expected to come from foreign tourists.
Addressing Local Community Concerns
While diving tourism can drive economic growth, particularly in developing countries, there is an issue with revenue leakage—many dive operations are foreign-owned, which means local communities don’t fully benefit. One solution could be for governments to implement fees for accessing MPAs, like those in Indonesia’s Raja Ampat or Bonaire National Marine Park, to help fund conservation efforts and ensure that local communities gain from the tourism influx.
However, the introduction of fully protected MPAs could impact local fishing industries, as fishing bans often accompany these protections. The challenge is to balance conservation efforts with the livelihoods of coastal communities. One potential solution is sustainable tourism, where diving can replace fishing as a source of income, as demonstrated by the Changuu-Bawe Marine Conservation Area in Zanzibar.
The Path Forward
The economic and environmental benefits of fully protecting dive sites are clear. Yet, without careful planning and safeguards, these benefits may not extend to local communities. Striking the right balance between marine life conservation and economic development for coastal populations is key.
As the dive tourism industry grows, the protection of oceans and the stability of local economies will depend on sustainable practices that ensure profits reach local communities and preserve marine ecosystems for future generations.
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