Shark diving tourism can support conservation funding and public appreciation, but welfare implications of provisioning and close human contact require careful evaluation.
Shark ecotourism welfare evaluation requires distinguishing between different types of operations. Non-provisioning dives at seasonal aggregations like whale shark gatherings at natural feeding areas cause minimal individual welfare impact and generate conservation revenue and positive public attitudes. Provisioning operations using bait or fish pieces to attract sharks create reliable encounters but alter natural feeding patterns and may cause behavioral changes through repeated conditioning. Some studies show increased neophobia and stress hormones in frequently encountered sharks at provisioning sites. Boat traffic creating noise and underwater disturbance can disrupt natural behaviors. The conservation benefit of revenue and public education generated by shark ecotourism is significant when well-managed, but individual welfare considerations must inform how operations are designed.