“Para crear la Ley de Turismo Ecológico con Drones para Conservación Marina en Puerto Rico; regular el uso comercial de drones para tours ecológicos y actividades de observación marina; establecer un programa de licencias para operadores que contribuyan activamente al monitoreo y conservación de ecosistemas marinos (corales, especies protegidas y hábitats costeros); promover el turismo sostenible y responsable; crear un fondo especial para conservación marina financiado por tarifas de licencias; y para otros fines relacionados.”

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico creates licensing program for commercial drone eco-tourism operators, requiring conservation participation and funding a marine conservation fund through licensing fees.

Referido a Comisión(es)

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 936 creates an Ecological Drone Tourism Law for Puerto Rico that regulates commercial drone use for eco-tours and marine observation activities. The bill establishes a licensing program for drone operators who actively contribute to monitoring and conserving marine ecosystems, while creating a dedicated conservation fund financed through licensing fees.

Why is this important

This legislation addresses the intersection of tourism development and environmental protection in Puerto Rico's marine ecosystems, which face significant threats from coral bleaching, species decline, and habitat degradation. By monetizing conservation participation through drone tourism, the bill attempts to create financial incentives for marine protection while generating revenue for ecosystem monitoring and restoration efforts.

Potential points of contention

Definitional ambiguity: The bill lacks clear criteria for what constitutes "active contribution to monitoring and conservation"—operators could be incentivized to claim conservation roles without meaningful environmental benefit

Drone disturbance concerns: Unmanned aircraft in marine environments may disrupt marine life behavior, nesting, and feeding patterns despite conservation intent, potentially contradicting environmental goals

Licensing and enforcement costs: Establishing and maintaining a regulatory system with adequate oversight may consume significant portion of collected fees, reducing actual conservation funding

Equity and access: Licensing requirements could create barriers for local communities while privileging tourism operators, potentially limiting community participation in marine stewardship decisions

Environmental impact assessment gap: No mention of mandatory environmental impact studies before permitting drone operations in sensitive marine areas