Tourist Preferences for Seamount Conservation in the Galapagos Marine Reserve

Abstract

Seamounts provide oases of hard substrate in the deep sea that are frequently associated with locally enhanced biological productivity and diversity. There is now increasing recognition of their ecological and socio-economic importance. However, management strategies for these habitats are constrained not only by limited ecological understanding but by the general public’s understanding of the pressures facing these ecosystems. This study adds to the growing literature on willingness to pay for conservation of deep-sea ecosystems and species by undertaking a stated preference survey to assess tourist’s awareness of seamounts and their preferences for protection within the Galapagos Marine Reserve. Visitors’ perceptions of seamount biodiversity must be studied because tourists are key drivers of the Galapagos economy and account for 41% of the Marine Reserve budget. Our survey captured the attitudes, perceptions and willingness to pay of tourists for an increase in the entrance fee to the Galapagos Marine Reserve. Results showed tourists were willing to pay on average US$48.93 in addition to existing entrance fees. The results of this study support the willingness to develop a multiuse management plan for the Galapagos Marine Reserve, balancing conservation, local communities livelihoods and sustainable tourism. Our results evidence a willingness to support and fund conservation, which is of critical importance to both the Galapagos National Park and local non-governmental organizations heavily reliant for their work on entrance fees and donations respectively. Overall, the conclusion from this study is that, despite limited knowledge, visitors of the Galapagos Islands attach positive and significant values to the conservation of seamount biodiversity.

Determinants of Recreational Activities Choice in Protected Areas

“…Overall, such results are consistent with previous studies which highlighted how visitors' preferences and choices are affected by their sociodemographic characteristics. For example, [25] found that income and education affect tourists decision to visit the Kenting Coral Reef area in Taiwan; [26] showed that that gender, income, level of education and first-time visit affect visitors' preferences towards biodiversity conservation in the Yankari game reserve in Nigeria; and [27] found that older visitors were willing to pay more to support conservation of seamounts at the Galapagos Marine Reserve in Ecuador compared to younger ones, although gender was found to have a non-significant effect. In a study focusing on nature conservation programs in the Austrian Alps, [28], highlighted how visitors preferences are affected by income and family size.…”

The Second World Ocean Assessment

“…Globally, seamount protection may increase, adding to national conservation efforts in the North Atlantic, the South-West Pacific and the North-East Pacific (Morato and others, 2010) and more recent closures to fishing activities off the west coasts of Canada and Chile, in the North Atlantic (Natura 2000) and throughout Hawaiian waters. Tourist funding may also increase future seamount conservation (Ison and others, 2021). Some seamount areas in the eastern Pacific have been protected from potential seabed mining by a regional environmental management plan adopted by the International Seabed Authority.…”