Overview

• The Cell Reports Sustainability paper drew on surveys of 11,500 operators in 170 countries to produce the first global baseline for dive-tourism revenues and jobs.
• The analysis estimates annual spending of $8.5 billion to $20.4 billion by 9 million–14 million recreational divers worldwide.
• Dive tourism supports about 124,000 jobs, with 80% of employees drawn from local coastal communities.
• Operators reported widespread ecosystem threats over the past decade, citing biodiversity loss, coral bleaching, pollution and declining water quality.
• Under the Atlas Aquatica initiative, researchers are rolling out data-tracking programs and supply-chain impact analyses and piloting dive operator cooperatives to inform sustainable marine policy.