The Use of Artificial Reefs for Recreational Diving
Makaleler > Tam Makale · 2017
Yazarlar: Tuğçe Şensurat Genç, Aytaç ÖZGÜL, Altan LÖK
Turkish Journal of Maritime and Marine Sciences, Uluslararası, 2017, cilt 3, ss 27-33
Özet
Scuba diving has become a burgeoning branch of the tourism service. Various activities of recreational diving do not especially necessitate natural reefs-any varied vehicle such as ship, plane and other large structures may be adequately attractive. Coastal groups are turning to these structures by the way of supplying new locations for scuba diving tourists. Despite the lack of a global database, our literature review indicated extensive use of artificial reefs for recreation in the United States, currently viewed as the pioneering puissance and professional in the field. Moreover, the Canadian and Australian governments have both promoted several “ships to reef” programs focused on recreation. However, the used of three-dimensional structures (ships, planes etc.) as artificial reefs in sensitive ecosystems such as the Mediterranean and Red Sea is not a common practice. Although scuba divers are interested in such type of structures, ships to reef is a matter of debate especially in the Mediterranean region. In Turkey, a National Artificial Reef Program was drafted in 2008, however there is no regulation at present about intentionally sinking a ship for the creation of recreational diving destinations. The aim of this review was to investigate the use of man-made structures as artificial reefs for recreational diving around the world.