Tourism is growing fast in Mozambique and has become the most dynamic sector in the economy of the country. The main tourist attractions are the beautiful beaches and the diversity of the marine life along the coast. The marine “Big 5”: Humpback whales, Manta rays, Whale sharks, Dolphins and Sea Turtles are a common sight and contribute to the popularity of Mozambique amongst divers.
Dive tourists are important for Mozambique because they spend more into the national economy than other tourists. Therefore the dive industry plays an important role in the economic development and the reduction of poverty in a country that still ranks amongst the poorest in the world.

The coast line of Inhambane is unique for the year-round presence of the oceans’ largest fish in numbers that are un-paralleled elsewhere in the world. There are however no measures currently in place that guarantee their protection and the conservation of their habitat.

The loss of this resource and the consequent dwindling of tourism revenue would have a devastating effect on the economy of one of the country’s poorest provinces.

AMAR, the national Divers’ Association of Mozambique, was founded as a non-profit association in 2006 by a group of dedicated volunteers in Inhambane. In its aim towards the conservation and protection of marine resources and the sustainable development of dive tourism in Mozambique, AMAR represents the interests of the recreational dive operators and contributes towards the implementation of best practices. AMAR is recognized in this position and invited to all official dialogue between the dive operators and provincial and national authorities.

AMAR’s mission is to work within the current national and provincial legislative framework to ensure the conservation and protection of marine resources via the following interventions:

• Promotion of initiatives and activities that lead to an increased awareness and understanding of the marine environment among key local communities;
• Engender and promote, via consistent dialogue and action, a common understanding among the dive industry and local authorities regarding approaches to ensuring the long term sustainability of the industry;
• Assist the dive industry in developing sustainable diving practices that ensure the enjoyment and safety of its clientele while reinforcing the need for marine ecosystem awareness;
• Promotion of research-based decision making regarding marine conservation and related community development issues;
• Development and execution of concrete mechanisms for cooperation with local communities, and;
• Identification of potential partnerships with national regional and international organizations with similar or mutually reinforcing missions.

The heart of AMAR’s strategy is to create partnerships with the provincial and local authorities, the local communities and associations, as well as the actors of the tourism- and diving industry. AMAR is creating links of communication and exchange between all the stakeholders.

AMAR is a member of the Confederation of Business Associations of Mozambique (CTA) tourism committee.

AMAR is in the process of developing a services package for its members that is tailored around translation and mediation support, as well as guidelines for the daily operations of dive businesses.

AMAR receives support from the German Cooperation in the form of 2 full time staff.