Effect of Covid19 pandemic on the pro-ecological orientation of Scuba drivers in protected marine areas, empirical evidence from the Medes Islands

There is a growing interest in understanding the perceptions towards environmental issues and how these perceptions may affect the behavior. This interest has accelerated after the COVID19, that has generated changes in habits and priorities. Scuba diving, as other eco-tourism activities, has significant effects on the environment, and it is suggested by many researchers and stakeholders that more actions are to be implemented urgently to ensure the conservation of fragile areas as protected marine areas (PMAs) where scuba diving is practiced. The purpose of this article is to explore if there are any changes after COVID19 pandemic in the pro-environmental concerns and behaviors of scuba divers visiting the Medes Islands (Costa Brava, Spain), a PMA, one of the most visited scuba diving destinations in the Western Mediterranean. A better understanding of scuba divers in a PMA will facilitate the implementation of actions to improve their conservation and the management measures of the companies affected. The collection of primary data was carried out using a combined methodology: ethnography based on participant observation and surveys administered to scuba divers. Data from both participant observation and surveys was firstly collected in September-October 2016; later on, after COVID pandemic lockdown, it was decided to repeat the data collection in June-September 2021, with the objective of performing a comparative analysis between the two periods.