scuba dive instructors

French Polynesia to open its waters to international scuba dive instructors

FRENCH Polynesia is to open its waters to international scuba dive instructors in a bid to boost its tourism industry on this lucrative market, daily newspaper La Depeche de Tahi ti reported.

Until now, only French licence BEES dive instructors were allowed to teach and take divers to the world-famous Polynesian lagoons.

In 1997, however, foreign licences holders, such as PADI (Professional association of diving instructors), NAUI (National association of underwater instructors) and SSI (Scuba School international), were tolerated, but not officially recognised by law. “That’s where it hurts: foreign tourists who come to dive in French Polynesia’s clear waters prefer to do so with compatriot

instructors, they understand them better.

Also, it’s more interesting for beginners to take PADI, NAUI and SSI licences, which they can use back home,” youth and sport ministry legal officer Guy Sue said.

“Diving professionals here are far from being against this, because they wish to keep this foreign clientele, essentially

Americans and Japanese.”

Authorities in Papeete are now taking final steps to legalise those licences in the French Territory, under a “glob al reorganisation” stance and a will to “develop tourism”.

“If all professionals concerned take part in future talks, this could be very quick,” Sue predicts.

A first draft, focusing on “reorganisation and promotion of physical and sport activities in French Polynesia,” was debat ed by the French Polynesian council of ministers.

Scuba dive operations have sprung up all over the Pacific, a region considered to have some of the best live coral for mations in the world, which have largely been left to them selves. One problem with increasing tourist numbers though, is the potential damage large numbers can do. ■