Marine Animal Welfare

Marine Welfare: Shark Ecotourism Welfare Considerations

Shark ecotourism generates conservation revenue but raises welfare questions about baiting, provisioning, and close human contact affecting shark behaviour and health.

Key Facts

Cage diving with great white sharks and reef diving with reef sharks are major ecotourism activities
Provisioning with food can alter shark feeding behaviour and movement patterns
Diver disturbance can disrupt courtship, feeding, and resting behaviour
Responsible operator codes of conduct reduce wildlife disturbance
Revenue from shark ecotourism has been shown to exceed shark fishing revenues in several locations

Welfare Considerations

Shark ecotourism presents a welfare trade-off between conservation benefits and potential harm from provisioning and disturbance. Responsible operations minimising food conditioning, maintaining safe distances, and limiting diving pressure provide conservation value without compromising individual shark welfare.

What You Can Do

Choose shark ecotourism operators with recognised responsible conduct codes
Avoid operators that provoke or handle sharks for photographs
Support ocean conservation organisations promoting welfare-positive shark tourism standards