The main economic protection drivers of scuba diving

Scuba diving looks like an underwater adventure, but a new global study finds it is a financial lifestyle for coastal communities and marine conservation.

The diving tourism industry brings between $850 and $20.4 billion a year and offers up to 124,000 jobs in 170 countries, with 80% of which are held by local residents. The study was published on July 25 Cell report sustainabilityproviding the first estimate of the economic footprint of scuba diving and its role in the so-called “blue economy.”

“Scuba diving is not a fringe hobby,” said Anna Schuhbauer, a fishery scientist at the University of British Columbia. “It’s a multi-billion dollar economic backbone that can incorporate visitors’ dollars directly into coastal communities and marine conservation.”

Write a number on global phenomenon

So far, global policy makers lack comprehensive figures that actually contribute to the world economy to scuba diving. Most previous studies were limited to national case studies or snapshots from specific regions.

To close this gap, researchers conducted a large-scale survey of 11,590 dive operators around the world. They received responses from 425 businesses in 81 countries. They are then paired with diver estimation and economic modeling to produce global numbers.

Major findings from the study

• Diving supports 89 to 13.6 million dives per year
• Direct spending diving trips and equipment: $90-3.2 billion per year
• Total economic impact, including hotels and transportation: $850 to $20.4 billion
• Number of diving operators worldwide: 11,590
• Support work: approximately 124,000, 80% of the locals

Blue economy model

The diving tourism industry is attracting attention as a model of sustainable development. Unlike mining industries such as mining or fishing, it does not lower the marine ecosystem. In fact, divers often give more to explore healthy coral reefs and protected water.

“You can sail or surf above the Dead Sea, but scuba divers noticed no fish,” said Fabio Foretto, a postdoctoral fellow at the Scripps Oceanography Institute and coordinator at the Atlas Aquatica Project. “It’s really an activity that depends on the health of the system.”

Data show that about 70% of marine diving occurs within Marine Reserves (MPA), which strengthens the idea that healthy oceans attract more tourist dollars. Previous research also suggests that expanding protection may lead to increased diving revenue.

Protection, communities and policies

Most dive operators have reported environmental degradation over the past decade, strengthening their motivation to become ocean managers. The study recommends that the government formally involves these stakeholders in marine management decisions.

“This study shows that diving generates a lot of revenue and can be done without reducing the environment,” said Octavio Aburto-Oropeza, co-author of Scripps Oceanography. “We hope that demonstrating the scale of economic impact will encourage policies to invest in diving through increased ocean conservation.”

As part of the unspecified Atlas Aquatica initiative, researchers are also helping dive operators form cooperatives to amplify their protective sounds. Pilot programs are already underway in Mexico and Italy.

The next step in the industry

To keep motivated, the team urged the creation of standardized systems to track revenue, visitor volume and environmental impact. These tools can help fine-tune protection strategies and support a hybrid economic recovery.

“With good management, scuba tourism can be economically viable, socially equitable, and environmentally sustainable,” Schuhbauer said. “With a vested interest in healthy ecosystems, dive operators are natural ally in the conservation work.”

Magazine: Cell report sustainability

doi: 10.1016/j.crsus.2025.100435

Article title: The global economic impact of diving tourism

Publication date: July 25, 2025

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