Business partner or simple catch? The economic value of the sicklefin lemon shark in French Polynesia

Abstract

Abstract. Most arguments invoked so far by the scientific community in favour of shark conservation rely on the ecological importance of sharks, and have little impact on management policies. During a 57-month study, we were able to individually recognise 39 sicklefin lemon sharks that support a shark-feeding ecotourism activity in Moorea Island, French Polynesia. We calculated the direct global revenue generated by the provisioning site, based on the expenses of local and international divers. The total yearly revenue was around USD5.4 million and the 13 sharks most often observed at the site had an average contribution each of around USD316 699. Any one of these sharks represents a potential contribution of USD2.64 million during its life span. We argue that publicising economic values per individual will be more effective than general declarations about their ecological importance for convincing policy makers and fishers that a live shark is more valuable than a dead shark for the local economy. Studies monitoring the potential negative ecological effects of long-term feeding of sharks should, however, be conducted to ensure these are also considered. Besides declarations about the nonconsumptive direct-use value of sharks, as promoted by ecotourism, the calculation of their other economic values should also benefit shark conservation.

The importance of research and public opinion to conservation management of sharks and rays: a synthesis

“…The recognition that sharks can also provide financial benefits to communities beyond those provided by fishing has contributed to the perception of the value of sustaining the world's sharks. For example, Clua et al (2011) demonstrated that the tourism value of lemon sharks (Negaprion acutidens) could provide significant ongoing financial benefits to communities on Pacific islands over and above the one-off payment for catching and killing the sharks.…”

Determining the Role of Hand Feeding Practices in Accidental Shark Bites on Scuba Divers

“…By 2004 up to 2010, there were seven diving operators working in the same area, including six that were implementing artificial provisioning. A previous study on the economic value of shark-based ecotourism in Moorea island showed that around 4 000 local and 3 000 international divers were coming by the mid-2000s to Moorea every year with the specific purpose of viewing sharks, and an additional 5 600 were making the decision to dive with sharks while they were staying in Moorea [3].…”

“…For most of these countries, this type of ecotourism represents a critical source of income. In french Polynesia (Eastern-Central Pacific), environmental economists [3] have shown that any one of the 13 lemon sharks most often observed at a feeding site in Moorea (Windward islands) made an average contribution to the local economy of around USD 316 699 per year, contributing to a total income of US$5.4 million. However, given their elusive nature, encountering these shy species cannot be guaranteed, and artificial provisioning, generally called 'shark-feeding' , is necessary to ensure impressive aggregations of animals in specific places thereby allowing close interactions with divers and snorkellers [1].…”

Uso de hábitat de Triaenodon obesus (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae), Rhincodon typus (Orectolobiformes: Rhincodontidae) y Manta birostris (Myliobatiformes: Myliobatidae) en el Parque Nacional Natural Gorgona, Pacífico colombiano

“…Esta actividad de turismo con animales en vida silvestre se ha incrementado exponencialmente en los últimos 20 años (Higginbottom & Scott, 2008;Clua, Burray, Legendre, Mourier & Planes, 2011;Gallagher & Hammerschlag, 2011) y se promueve como una alternativa económica para la conservación de la naturaleza y de beneficios para las comunidades locales que reduce la presión sobre estos recursos en comparación al uso pesquero o deportivo (Topelko & Dearden, 2005;de Lacy & Whitmore, 2006;Gallagher & Hammerschlag, 2011;CisnerosMontemayor et al, 2013). En cuanto a esta práctica con tiburones y rayas, se destacan aquellas realizadas con Rhincodon typus, Manta birostris y algunas especies arrecifales como Carcharhinus perezi, Gynglimostoma cirratum o Dasyatis americana, las cuales son la base de actividades turísticas como avistamiento, alimentación y buceo.…”