The Boat Tourism at the Ilha dos Lobos Wildlife Refuge, Southern Brazil

Current Status and Future Prospects

Abstract

Public visitation in marine protected areas in Brazil has increased significantly in the last decades. However, for visiting activities to have positive results in terms of environmental awareness and conservation of biodiversity, a series of principles and guidelines directly linked to sustainable tourism must be followed. In this context, this article characterizes the tourism in the Wildlife Refuge (REVIS) of Ilha dos Lobos, in southern Brazil, and describes the tourists' perception and knowledge of this activity and on this marine protected area. Thirty-six boat tours were monitored between 2016 and 2018, when 109 tourists were interviewed. Most of the tours were carried out with a 23m long vessel, with capacity for 188 passengers, which remained for about 5min at a minimum distance of 100m from the island. As a result of the interviews, a very positive perception of the tour was reported, especially during the occurrence of South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) on the island. Moreover, most tourists expressed a great interest in knowing more about the REVIS and the biodiversity of the region. However, a great lack of knowledge on the REVIS and its associated fauna was detected among tourists, revealing the absence of an environmental educational program by the tourist company. Based on these results, some strategies that may assist in the development of sustainable tourism in the REVIS, as well as in a greater appreciation of the Conservation Unit by the local population are suggested.