Tourism-driven ocean science for sustainable use: A case study of sharks in Fiji

Abstract

The oceans are in a state of rapid change -both negatively, due climate destabilization and misuse, and positively, due to strengthening of policies for sustainable use combined with momentum to grow the blue economy. Globally, more than 121 million people enjoy nature-based marine tourism -e.g., recreational fishing, diving, whale watching -making it one of the largest marine sectors. This industry is increasingly threatened by ocean degradation and management has not kept pace to ensure long-term sustainability. In response, individuals within the industry are taking it upon themselves to monitor the oceans and provide the data needed to assist management decisions. Fiji is one such place where the dive tourism industry is motivated to monitor the oceans (e.g., track sharks). In 2012, 39 dive operators in collaboration with eOceans commenced the Great Fiji Shark Count (GFSC) to document sharks (and other species) on 592 dive sites. Here, using 146,304 shark observations from 30,668 dives we document spatial patterns of 11 shark species. High variability demonstrates the value of longitudinal data that include absences for describing mobile megafauna and the capacity of stakeholders to document the oceans. Our results may be used to guide future scientific questions, provide a baseline for future assessments, or to evaluate conservation needs. It also shows the value of scientists collaborating with stakeholders to address questions that are most important to the local community so that they have the information needed to make science-based decisions.

Companions and Casual Acquaintances: The Nature of Associations Among Bull Sharks at a Shark Feeding Site in Fiji

“…This hypothesis could be tested by monitoring other dive sites, feeding and not, in Fiji where bull sharks are encountered. Ward-Paige et al (2020) reported bull shark groups of variable sizes from six areas in Fiji. Individuals would need to be independently identified at these sites to ensure that they are also visitors to the SRMR and vice versa.…”

Fishing and trade of devil rays (Mobula spp.) in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh: Insights from fishers’ knowledge

“…In many cases, declines and regional extinctions of marine species often go undocumented, but can be inferred from local knowledge (Dulvy & Polunin, 2004; Jabado et al, 2015; Abudaya et al, 2018; Mason et al, 2020). Additionally, fishers are key stakeholders and can provide socio‐ecological perception and knowledge on natural resource conservation needs (McNeill, Clifton & Harvey, 2018), existing legislation and trade, which are all essential for developing effective conservation strategies (Jabado et al, 2015; Liao, Huang & Lu, 2019; Patankar, 2019; Mason et al, 2020; Ward‐Paige, Brunnschweiler & Sykes, 2020).…”

Effects of a COVID‐19 lockdown‐induced pause and resumption of artificial provisioning on blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) and pink whiprays (Pateobatis fai) in French Polynesia (East‐Pacific)

“…Wildlife provisioning also creates unprecedented opportunities for scientific data collection, aggregating animals that are difficult to study without baiting due to their low density, solitary behavior, or pelagic environment (Bègue et al, 2020 ; Brena et al, 2015 , 2018 ; Gallagher & Hammerschlag, 2011 ; Meyer et al, 2009 ). Flourishing shark and ray watching also promotes the development of participatory science, involving tourists in the production of scientific research and raising their awareness on elasmobranch conservation (Gallagher et al, 2015 ; Mieras et al, 2017 ; Ward‐Paige et al, 2020 ). Finally, the ecological and economic importance of elasmobranchs for local communities has the potential to enhance the creation of protected areas to better conserve these often highly threatened species and potentially benefit the entire ecosystem (Govan et al, 2008 ; Jupiter et al, 2014 ; Ward‐Paige et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Flourishing shark and ray watching also promotes the development of participatory science, involving tourists in the production of scientific research and raising their awareness on elasmobranch conservation (Gallagher et al, 2015 ; Mieras et al, 2017 ; Ward‐Paige et al, 2020 ). Finally, the ecological and economic importance of elasmobranchs for local communities has the potential to enhance the creation of protected areas to better conserve these often highly threatened species and potentially benefit the entire ecosystem (Govan et al, 2008 ; Jupiter et al, 2014 ; Ward‐Paige et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Finally, the ecological and economic importance of elasmobranchs for local communities has the potential to enhance the creation of protected areas to better conserve these often highly threatened species and potentially benefit the entire ecosystem (Govan et al, 2008;Jupiter et al, 2014;Ward-Paige et al, 2020). While some effects of chronic feeding on shark and ray populations have been studied, responses to a sudden prolonged break of this stimulus have rarely been observed in the wild (but see Huveneers et al, 2021).…”