Skip to main content
COMMUNITY:
Peer-reviewed article

The Economy of Shark Conservation in the Northeast Pacific: The Role of Ecotourism and Citizen Science

September 25, 2017 | Public Programs
Historically sharks have been seen either as a source of income through harvesting, or as a nuisance and danger. The economic value of sharks has traditionally been measured as the total value of sharks caught for liver oil, fins, or meat for consumption. Sharks have also been killed to near extinction in cases where they were seen as a threat to fisheries on other species. This is illustrated by the mass extermination of Basking Sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) in British Columbia. They were seen as a nuisance to fishermen as they got entangled in gill nets during the salmon fishing season. However with the development of the SCUBA diving industry, and ecotourism in general, increased awareness of the role sharks play in marine ecosystems has resulted in changes in how they are perceived and utilized. Despite an ongoing harvest of sharks such as the North Pacific Spiny Dogfish (Squalus suckleyi), sharks now generate economic value through SCUBA diving enthusiasts who travel the globe to see, swim with, and photograph them. The use of digital cameras and other digital media has brought sharks into households around the world and increased awareness of the conservation issues facing many species. This renewed appreciation has led to a better understanding of sharks by the public, resulting in advocates calling for better protections and conservation. In particular, a growing part of the SCUBA diving community wants to contribute to conservation and research projects, which has led to participation in citizen science projects. These projects provide scientific data but also gain ground as ecotourism activities, thus adding to both economic value of tourism and conservation efforts.

TEAM MEMBERS

  • Peter Mieras
    Author
    Rendezvous Dive Adventures
  • Chris Harvey-Clark
    Author
    Dalhousie University
  • 67393202 10157324652503972 7033745907753418752 o
    Author
    Ocean Sanctuaries
  • Gina Hodgin
    Author
    Ravencroft Lodge
  • Boone Hodgin
    Author
    Ravencroft Lodge
  • Citation

    DOI : 10.1016/bs.amb.2017.08.003
    ISSN : 0065-2881
    Publication Name: Advances in Marine Biology
    Page Number: 77-109
    Resource Type: Research Products
    Discipline: Life science
    Audience: General Public | Scientists
    Environment Type: Public Programs | Citizen Science Programs

    If you would like to edit a resource, please email us to submit your request.