Finding the balance between tourism and conservation: the pathway to safe and sustainable whale shark tourism in south-ari Atoll

Abstract

Tourism and marine conservation are two things that, even though they can be mutually beneficial, are increasingly found to conflict. The marine wildlife tourism industry has been growing exponentially over the past years, raising concerns regarding its sustainability. Whale shark excursions are a very popular activity in the Maldives and provide a substantial income to tourism operators in South-Ari Atoll as well as to the national government. Although the whale shark is a nationally protected species and their aggregation grounds have been designated as a Marine Protected Area in 2009, an official code of conduct or any other form of legal regulations that manage the number and conduct of tourists and boats in the area is still absent. This lack of control combined with a lack of education and awareness amongst guests and operators results in chaotic situations that endanger the safety of guests and pose a threat to the whale sharks. This research has found that overcrowding and poor behaviour by guests and guides are the main threats to whale sharks. The underlying issues of poor education and communication, and absent legal regulations and enforcement are problems that urgently need to be addressed in order to ensure safe and sustainable whale shark tourism in the future. Although the current political situation in the Maldives poses a barrier for conservation, a larger effort for cross-stakeholder communication, collaboration and education does have the potential to make whale shark tours a more enjoyable experience for both tourists and whale sharks