Effects of recreational SCUBA diving on coral reefs with an emphasis on tourism suitability index and carrying capacity of reefs in Kish Island, the northern Persian Gulf

Abstract The popularity of ecotourism in Kish Island located off the southern coast of Iran in the Persian Gulf has increased over the last 30 years with a large development of a SCUBA diving industry. The suitability and carrying capacity of seven sites were assessed and management strategies proposed. The Tourism Suitability Index (TSI) for snorkeling and SCUBA diving was determined based on some criteria. The plausible effect of SCUBA diving on reef health was assessed with the Reef Health Index. The tourism carrying capacity (TCC) was assessed based on physical and biological conditions of each site, the infrastructure, the equipment available, and the characteristics of the service providers and the administrators of the Kish Free Trade Zone Organization. The RHI index showed that, except for one reef with a fair condition, the health condition of the remaining reefs was good. TSI results showed that all reefs were categorized as suitable for snorkeling. Whereas, of seven reefs, one reef was conditionally suitable, and the remaining reefs were categorized as suitable for SCUBA diving. The TCC values ranged between 31,727 and 336,313 dives/year, with a total of 822,716 dives/year for all seven sites. Only two sites were the most visited with the TCC ranging from 61,427 to 75,116 dives/year. These numbers were lower than the actual number of recreational visitors to these two sites (273,750 dives per year) suggesting a need for adequate preventive management if these diving sites are to maintain their aesthetic appeal and biological characteristics. Such management may initially be directed towards dictating diving clubs to use less-visited sites, to use the sites based on their proposed TCC value, and to create their man-made sites. These results suggest that several reefs around Kish Island are suitable for SCUBA diving, and can be promoted as a suitable destination.