Artificial Reefs and Dive Tourism in Eilat, Israel

• Published in: Ambio Vol. 27; no. 8; pp. 764 - 766
• Main Authors: Wilhelmsson, Dan, Ohman, Marcus C, Stahl, Henrik, Shlesinger, Yechiam
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences 01-12-1998
• Subjects: Artificial reefs; Community structure; Coral reefs; Corals; Diving; Fish; Gulfs; Marine fishes; Synopses; Tourism; Wildlife habitats
• ISSN: 0044-7447; 1654-7209

Dive tourism is economically important in Eilat, Israel, but it causes stress to the coastal environment. Several artificial reefs have been established to provide additional sites for diving and to reduce the pressure from too many divers on the existing coral reefs. Results are presented from a study in which the ecosystems of the artificial reefs and the natural coral reefs were compared. In addition, the value of an artificial reef was calculated, based on earnings received from diving. Three artificial reefs were considered in the study. Analysis of the data revealed that the artificial reefs, particularly the two that were made from downed vessels, were functioning quite well, effectively creating new habitat for fish. Using the minimum price for a guided dive, the gross annual income generated from diving at just one of the artificial reefs was estimated at around $368,000.