DIVERS PERCEPTIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM MANAGEMENT IN THE CEARÁ STATE COAST, BRAZIL

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32360/acmar.v52i2.40747

Abstract

  • The analysis of the perceptions of divers can be a useful tool for developing sustainable tourism. Despite its importance, there is still little understanding of the role of perceptions of environmental and infrastructure problems in the improvement of diving tourism in developing countries. This study assesses the perceptions of 140 divers regarding different diving sites in the Ceará State Coast, northeastern Brazil. The results indicate that, despite the existence of 32 diving sites, only the Marine Protected Area (MPA) was regularly visited. This area was classified as “good/very good” in terms of its marine biodiversity. One of its particularities is the presence of reef environments. The divers gave the boats, and the operations of embarking and disembarking a “bad/poor” rating. Moreover, travel times and the presence of marine litter and abandoned fishing nets were considered as “reasonable/medium”. Finally, this study discusses various strategies for preserving tropical marine biodiversity and maximizing the enjoyment of divers. These include the monitoring of illegal fishing, implementing the management plan of MPA, and improvements to the diving infrastructure. Understanding the preferences of recreational divers regarding dive experiences can strengthen sustainable tourism and be of great importance to the support of public policies and coastal management.

    Keywords: diving tourism, coastal management, marine protected areas, coastal tourism.

Author Biographies

Ana Flavia Pantalena, labomar-UFC

Doutora (2017) e Mestre (2012) em Ciências Marinhas Tropicais pela Universidade Federal do Ceará; especialista em Direito Civil (2007) pela Escola Paulista de Direito; bacharel em Direito (2005) pela Universidade Paulista e bacharel em Administração de Empresas (1995) pela Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo - PUC/SP. DiveMaster (2015) pela Professional Association of Diving Instructors - PADI e mergulhadora de Rebreather nivel CCR Normoxic Trimix Diver (2016) pela International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers - IANTD. Integrante do grupo de pesquisa CNPQ - Biodiversidade do Atlântico Sul: Ecologia, Impactos Ambientais e Conservação envolvido no desenvolvimento de pesquisas básicas, aplicadas e inovação relacionadas à gestão ambiental e da biodiversidade com ênfase na área costeira do Atlântico Sul Tropical (costa semiárida do Brasil).

Marcelo de Oliveira Soares, labomar-ufc

Doutor em Geociências pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (2010) com pós-doutorado na Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (2016). Atualmente é professor Associado I do Instituto de Ciências do Mar (LABOMAR) da UFC. Foi vice-coordenador da graduação em Ciências Ambientais (2011-2013) e é o coordenador do mestrado e doutorado em Ciências Marinhas Tropicais. Integra redes regionais como o PRONEX (Núcleos de Excelência) que estuda a geodiversidade na margem equatorial e redes nacionais como o INCT Ambientes Marinhos Tropicais que analisa as mudanças globais em recifes de corais. No exterior, atuou como pesquisador no Institut de Ciències del Mar da Espanha (ICM-CSIC), Centre di Recherche Scientifique (CSM) do Principado de Mônaco e é membro da rede BRASPOR (Brasil-Portugal) de pesquisa. É editor associado da Revista Arquivos de Ciências do Mar. Em termos de políticas públicas atua no GAT (Grupo de Assessoramento Técnico) do Ministério do Meio Ambiente (MMA-DF) referente ao plano de controle do coral-sol e na definição de áreas prioritárias para conservação marinha. Tem experiência em Oceanografia Ambiental e Geociências, atuando principalmente nos temas: conservação e impactos antrópicos em sistemas rasos e mesofóticos. É líder de grupo de pesquisa certificado pelo CNPq.

Luis Campos Rodrigues, ENT-Barcelona

Especialitzat en l’àrea d’Economia i Medi Ambient, amb un interès particular en l’anàlisi dels efectes socioeconòmics i estratègies d’adaptació associats a l’impacte del canvi climàtic, acidificació oceànica i altres pressions ambientals

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Published

2020-03-11