Potential Synergies between Nature-Based Tourism and Sustainable Use of Marine Resources: Insights from Dive Tourism in Territorial User Rights for Fisheries in Chile.

Stefan Gelcich,Francisca Amar,Duan Biggs,Abel Valdebenito,Stephanie S Romanach

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0148862

Abstract

Novel solutions to conserve biodiversity whilst allowing for resource harvesting are urgently needed. In marine systems, Territorial User Rights for Fisheries (TURFs) are promoted to enable sustainable use of resources. We investigate the potential for synergies between nature-based tourism and TURFs on Chile’s central coast. Of 135 recreational divers surveyed, 77% indicated that the fish species they preferred sighting were declining and 80% indicated that they would dive more often in TURFs, which have higher abundance of favoured species. Regression analysis shows that respondents that perceive that TURFs fulfil a conservation function are more willing to pay to dive in a TURF. However, respondents who understand the bureaucratic functioning of a TURF are less willing to pay, and there is diversity in how divers feel payments should be made. A participatory approach is required to navigate these complexities to achieve synergies between nature-based tourism and resource harvesting in TURFs.

Highlights

The biodiversity crisis is worsening amidst increasing pressure on natural resources
Our study aimed to address the following questions: 1) what is the perception among recreational divers of the changing state of marine life, and whether this is related to diver experience; 2) which marine species do recreational divers prefer to observe; 3) what is the perception of Territorial User Rights for Fisheries (TURFs) among divers, and are they willing to pay a user fee to access TURFs with greater biodiversity and abundance; and 4) which variables predict the willingness of recreational divers to pay a visitor’s fee to dive in TURFs
To explore these possible synergies, research surveyed recreational divers who usually dive in central Chile between Pichidangui (32°08000@S 71°32000@W) and Pichilemu (34° 230 0@ S, 72° 00 0@ W), where there are currently around 80 TURFs granted to fisher associations and where recreational diving has experienced an important growth in the past ten years (Fig 1)

Summary

Introduction

The biodiversity crisis is worsening amidst increasing pressure on natural resources. Innovative strategies to conserve biodiversity, whilst allowing for resource use by local communities are urgently needed [1, 2, 3]. Territorial user rights for fisheries (TURFS) have been promoted over the past decade as an instrument which can enable the sustainable utilisation of marine resources by providing appropriate access rights and incentives [4, 5]. In both marine and terrestrial systems, nature-based tourism has been widely promoted as a way to achieve both economic gains and conservation [6,7,8,9].

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion