Positive and Negative Impacts of Dive Tourism: The Case Study of Utila, Honduras. Steven W. J. Canty Ällingavägen 7B: 511 227 34 LUND, Sweden email:
[email protected] Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the International Master’s Programme in Environment Studies and Sustainability Science. Supervised by Mats Svensson Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies Geocentrum 1, Solvegatan 10 PO Box 170, SE-221 00 LUND, Sweden email:
[email protected] Phone: +46 (0) 222 05 13 Fax: +46 (0) 46 222 04 75 Abstract Utila one of three islands comprising the Bay Islands off the North coast of Honduras, it situated in the Caribbean Sea and is part of the second largest barrier reef system in the world. It is a small island approximately 11km and 4km at its widest point, with an estimated population of 8500. Utila has undergone an economic transformation over the past 30 years, based around low-budget dive tourism that is centred upon the coral reefs surrounding the island. The expansion of this industry triggered the economic and development of the island, giving rise to higher living standards and increasing the well-being of the population. The population has rapidly increased due to the emigration of people from the Honduran mainland seeking employment and a higher standard of living. Resulting from this development has been the increased stress upon the natural resources and increased pressure upon land for development, in addition to the pressures of an increasing population. The pressure upon land for development has led to increasing encroachment into mangrove forests, which is an illegal activity, which has caused the loss and degradation of many ecosystem services, most importantly are those connected to the functioning and health of the coral reef system.