UNDERWATER MUSEUMS - A WORLDWIDE TREND IN DIVING TOURISM

Underwater museums are different from sinking objects like boats and planes to become diving attractions. Underwater museums consist of sinking works of art made for this purpose and, like art, with the clear intention of provoking emotions and senses in visitors.

Conceived as places to promote education, preserve and protect the marine and natural environment as an integral part of the human value system, underwater museums have been built around the world as a way to also encourage diving tourism and boost local economies.

Mexico, France, Russia, Turkey, Croatia, Australia, and Greece are destinations that have innovated by investing in underwater art, and the images that spread across the internet help promote these destinations far beyond the seabed.

IBAMA's new regulations on the subject, published in 2021, debunked the notion that it was impossible to obtain authorization for sinking, shifting the understanding from zero impact to minimal impact, as any action without any impact is impossible. At the same time, environmental agencies in the State of São Paulo already understand the positive impact of these installations in preventing trawling.

As always, artist Gilmar Pinna proposed his stainless steel works, completely harmless in terms of waste, to create Brazil's first underwater museum. The innovation, beyond the material, lies in placing the works at such a depth that they can be visited from new transparent-bottom boats, as well as by diving. The format generates media attention for the destination it hosts, but also generates direct income for nautical tourism workers in the region.

It now remains to be seen which tourist destination will be the pioneer in Brazil.