Promoting Diversity and Inclusion: The Vital Role of Black Representation in Scuba Diving

By Safina Center Fellow Dani Khan Da Silva

Stephon Forbes, a dive master at Neal Watson’s Dive Centre in Bimini, Bahamas. ©Dani Khan Da Silva

Scuba diving is an awe-inducing activity that allows individuals to explore the beauty and mysteries of the underwater world. However, diversity and inclusion within the scuba diving community have been areas of concern.

According to a study conducted by Divers Alert Network (DAN), non-BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of colour) individuals constitute the majority (85%) of certified scuba divers worldwide while Black individuals account for a smaller percentage of certified divers, with estimates ranging from 5% to 8%. Further, few Black individuals hold prominent roles as dive instructors, dive shop owners, or leaders in conservation organizations. There are many reasons for this. One is that access to scuba diving can be limited by financial constraints, especially in countries where socioeconomic disparities exist. Another is that the cost of scuba diving certifications, equipment, and travel can be prohibitive for many individuals, leading to unequal opportunities for participation.

I went to the Bahamas in March-April this year to dive and to learn about local efforts to help regenerate coral, the mangroves, and to protect ocean life. As an Indian-European woman myself who rarely encounters other BIPOC scuba divers (let alone BIPOC women), I was instantly struck by how many Black divers, dive masters and instructors I encountered on my dives. It was then through some friends that I met Alannah Vellacott, a free diver, diver and conservationist. Alannah Vellacott grew up in Freeport, Grand Bahama and has always lived with the ocean. Despite family telling her to stay away, her curiosity got the better of her. She grew up playing around mangroves and sharks, discovering what lies beneath—an entire world of magic and beauty. Now she works with Coral Vita, an organization that seeks to revive the coral in the surrounding areas. She also shares another reason behind why diversity may be lacking in some parts of the world when it comes to diving and water sports:

Alannah Vellacott inspecting a coral nursery. ©Dani Khan Da Silva

“I did a story with Samuel Jackson called Enslaved: The Lost History of the Transatlantic Slave Trade…it’s a story that shows us that slavery was a global phenomena, and that every colonial power had a hand in taking our people away from their land and water. The shipwrecks we explored had really harrowing and gruesome details. I had to tell these stories over and over on set and it was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do…looking at these stories and images…When you think of Black people and water, you think Black people don’t know how to swim or were transported here. They were called ‘cargo’ when the wreck submerged and went underwater, they were kicked overboard, they were tortured…if we didn’t act ‘right,’ the ocean was where we were going.”

Alannah is making it possible for others who look like her to get their feet wet too, simply by being who she is. “Those that came before us were slaves only two generations ago. I feel like because of my platform, it’s my responsibility to put a doorstop on the door I’ve begun to open, and to ensure the door stays open so more women and people of colour can rise up,” says Alannah.

Dani Khan Da Silva underwater.

Thankfully, efforts are being made by organizations and dive centers to provide scholarships, training programs, and financial aid to individuals from underrepresented communities, aiming to reduce these barriers. One such organization is Love the Oceans in Mozambique, Diversify Diving, Black Girls Dive Foundation, and Diversity in Aquatics.

While progress has been made to promote diversity and inclusion in scuba diving, there is still much work to be done. Enhancing representation, addressing financial barriers, and providing equitable opportunities for leadership roles are critical steps towards a more inclusive scuba diving community. By embracing diversity, the industry can benefit from a broader range of perspectives, experiences, and contributions, leading to a stronger and more vibrant future for scuba diving as a whole. Most importantly, by giving local communities the change to experience their oceans, they are more likely to protect it and care for it, and above all, provide healing for their ancestors and opportunities for those to come.