An expanding panorama
The sector of maritime activities in Catalonia has experienced significant growth during 2023, with a volume of business that amounts to 111 million euros. This is accompanied by a gross added value of 58.4 million euros and an occupation reaching 1,663 employees. These figures mark a 6% increase compared to the previous year, according to a recent study prepared by the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the UPC-IRTA CREDA.
Data on maritime activity centers
Catalonia has a total of 584 registered maritime activity centers, which include nautical academies and immersion centers. This figure represents a significant growth of 15% compared to last year. Most of these centers are defined as microenterprises, with less than nine employees, thus emphasizing the importance of small businesses in this sector.
Stationality of the sector
The recreational maritime activities have a seasonal pattern, with a significant concentration during the summer months. About 58% of the centers begin their operations in Easter and close them at the end of October, while only 34% remain active throughout the year. In its maximum employment period, each center uses an average of 6.4 workers.
Gender diversity at work
In terms of employment, 58% of workers are men and 42% are women, reflecting a gender diversity that can improve over time.
The impact of immersion centers
Immersion centers play a crucial role in the blue economy of Catalonia, generating a turnover of 41.6 million euros and a gross added value of 23.2 million euros, with an occupation of 730 employees. Most of these centers are small family businesses with less than five employees.
Territorial distribution and customers
The geography of the 155 registered immersion centers shows a concentration in the coastal areas of Girona and Barcelona, with a clientele that comes mainly from France (46%), Catalonia (27%) and other regions of Spain (12%).
Regulations and regulation of the sector
The maritime activity centers are regulated by Law 2/2010, which establishes the bases for training in recreational activities at sea. There are three types of centers: nautical academies, immersion centers and nautical centers, each with its educational approach.
Initiatives of the Department of Agriculture
From 2022, the Department of Agriculture has been collecting data on the sector through surveys to analyze key economic indicators. This includes the study of the volume of business, the gross value added and the composition of the workforce, as well as information on the origin of the customers and the gender distribution.
Presence at fairs and events
The Department has recently been present at the Fira Mediterranean Diving Show in Cornellà, where it has provided information on recreational maritime activities and the training offered by the Nauticopesquera Training School of Catalonia. This participation strengthens the Generalitat’s commitment to the maritime sector and its sustainable development.