Whale sharks attract millions of dollars of tourism revenue at sites including Ningaloo Reef and Donsol, but irresponsible tourism causes significant welfare harm.
Repeated close approach by swimmers and vessels causes whale sharks to alter normal feeding and movement behaviour. Propeller strikes cause deep lacerations, fin damage and occasionally death. Sunscreen chemicals entering the water from divers may cause skin irritation. At high-visitation sites, sharks spend more time at depth avoiding surface activity — reducing foraging efficiency. Well-designed tourism protocols — no touching, minimum distances, idle vessel speeds — substantially reduce individual welfare impacts.