Whale shark tourism generates significant conservation revenue but can disturb feeding behavior and cause physical injury when poorly managed, requiring strong welfare guidelines.
Whale sharks approached by multiple boats and snorkelers simultaneously experience stress responses including evasive diving behavior that interrupts feeding. Physical contact from swimmers and propeller strikes cause injuries visible as scars on individual animals. At sites where whale sharks are provisioned with shrimp to guarantee sightings, the animals may alter their natural migrations in ways with unknown long-term consequences. The cumulative tourism pressure at popular aggregation sites can displace animals from important feeding areas.