Blue Economy | Blue Tourism

Island Nations (SIDS) vs. Scuba Diving

A Dive Into the Social, Economic & Environmental Costs of Dive Tourism in Island Communities

Darcy Kieran is the author of “Your Career and/or Life as a Scuba Diving Instructor” and unique advanced logbooks & checklists for scuba divers, divemasters & instructors.

If you are not a Medium subscriber, you may read this post on the Business of Diving Institute website instead.

When we go on vacation to a tropical island, we see a paradise. But can we ensure that we are not making life hell for the local population? How does dive tourism fit into a sustainable Blue Economy for small island nations that are currently facing severe social, economic, and environmental threats?

I read a few research papers, primarily authored by Zahidah Afrin Nisa, that explore the critical intersection of the scuba diving industry and the sustainable development of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), particularly concerning coral reef ecosystems. I’m sharing my personal observations and understanding of the topics.

Zaidy and her co-authors analyze gaps in current science-policy interfaces and advocate for stronger collaborations between governments, the scuba diving…