Reducing the Impact of Tourism on Coral Reefs: Hawaii’s Ocean Stewardship User Fee
Madison, WI — At the start of 2023, Bing Lin and David Wilcove, researchers at Princeton University, conducted research on the coral reefs in Hawaii by testing numerous bays and beaches across the state. Their findings were published in a paper showcasing how tourism contributes to the reefs’ damage and the degradation of marine life in these areas. The tourist activities that were highlighted in this paper included scuba diving and snorkeling, both of which have caused harm to the coral reefs and marine life in Hawaii.
Hawaii is a hot spot for tourists who come to enjoy the tropical weather, beautiful beaches, and unique activities such as hiking through rainforests or seeing volcanoes. In December of 2022, an estimated 871,870 tourists came to Hawaii. Though the early months of the year are typically the peak travel season, Hawaii is full of tourists year-round, which significantly impacts the coral reefs and ecosystem as a whole.
Near the end of 2021, Hawaii passed an Ocean Stewardship User Fee, which took effect on January 1, 2024. The legislation charges $1, to be collected by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, to individuals who participate in ocean recreation activities. The revenue will be used to enhance coral reef conservation and restoration, fund further research, and reduce the negative impact on marine ecosystems.
The Ocean Stewardship Fee hopes to instill values of sustainable tourism into those who travel to Hawaii and other destinations. It is vital, for both the natural ecosystem and local communities, that tourists are responsible and conscious of the environmental impact of their actions when traveling. Hopefully, we will begin to see positive results from this legislation in future years. If so, other travel-heavy places worldwide may adopt similar policies to preserve their natural environment and promote sustainable practices.
