The Kelleys Island Underwater Preserve: An Opportunity for Preservation, Eco-Tourism and the Local Economy by Joe Lucente, Ohio Sea Grant Extension, Lucas County The Kelleys Island region of Lake Erie will soon become the first designated underwater preserve in the State of Ohio under the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. “The underwater preserve will be a community-based preserve intended to: preserve and protect shipwrecks and their associated underwater resources to gain a higher awareness of the maritime heritage of Kelleys Island and its environs, and to promote the safe, non-restrictive access for sport divers, anglers and other users to sites within the preserve” (KIUP Concept Plan, 2002). What does this mean? A lot. The designation of the Kelleys Island Underwater Preserve (view map) will preserve and protect the rich maritime history and remaining shipwreck artifacts that tell the stories of life on the Great Lakes, while enhancing the recreational value to local coastal communities. Most shipwrecks around the Kelleys Island region have been documented to some extent showing what the ships were transporting at the time of their unfortunate demise, depicting a region rich in natural resources. The Kelleys Island Underwater Preserve will be a catalyst for eco-tourism: tourism that is based on a community’s natural assets rather than the man-made attractions of a community. More and more people are seeking to participate in natural, outdoor recreational activities that provide excitement in terms of being outdoors and learning new things about an area’s natural, historical and cultural assets. The concept of eco-tourism has exploded across the United States, bringing with it all the financial benefits to the local economy. The Kelleys Island Underwater Preserve will ultimately show a significant economic impact for the Village of Kelleys Island and its surrounding communities in terms of increased visitors and dollars spent per trip. Expenditures will be realized through such consumptive services as lodging, food, gas, charter services, ferry services, scuba and snorkel rental and various promotional items. More importantly, the dedication of an underwater preserve in the Kelleys Island region will serve to promote the sustainable development of the region itself. Sustainability can be measured using indicators of benefit to the economy, society and environment. The Kelleys Island Underwater Preserve is a win-win project for the region from both an economic and environmental point of view. Back to the top... Back to the Feature Articles Index...