Economic assessment of recreational ecosystem services, the case of scuba diving and snorkeling in Cabo Pulmo National Park

Recreational diving within a Natural Protected Area (NPA) is considered an alternative income with low impact on the natural resources. It also provides financial benefits to the local communities. The objective of this study was to carry out an economic assessment of the recreational ecosystem service within Cabo Pulmo National Park (PNCP), through determining and comparing the financial benefits produced by scuba diving and snorkeling vs the income generated from entry fees to the national park. The analysis was made using the average cost (in US dollars) of each activity and the value of the established entry fee for each visitor. Income data were obtained from the tour operators' logbooks and the CONANP (National Commission of Protected Natural Areas) records. During 2015 11 671 registered visitors practiced scuba diving and snorkeling, these visitors generated an economic benefit of $1'030,180 USD vs. the $45,566.87 USD that were generated by entry fees to the park. These results show that the income obtained for management actions in the national park were equivalent to only 4,5% of the economic benefit obtained for the local inhabitants by the recreational services. In conclusion, it is necessary to generate bioeconomic strategies that favors the generation of funds destined towards financing the management actions in Cabo Pulmo National Park, and not just the economic benefit of the community.