Is there a place for education and interpretation in shark-based tourism?

ABSTRACT

Interpretive encounters are a major component of many wildlife tourism experiences and can make significant contributions to tourist satisfaction and pro-conservation attitudes. The growth of shark-based tourism has provided numerous opportunities to contribute to conservation by exposing tourists to sharks in their natural habitat, provide them with education and interpretation programmes that dispel myths, and draw attention to the threats facing shark populations. However, little research has focused on the motivations and expectations of marine tourists in relation to on-tour interpretation, particularly within industries linked to adrenalin rush. The present study explored the role of on-tour education and interpretation during a white shark cage-dive tour in South Australia. Participant surveys sought to answer the questions, do cage-dive tourists want to be educated and what do they want to learn? Results support the demand for additional on-tour information focused on shark biology, habits, and conservation, suggesting participants want more than an adrenalin rush. The findings contribute to understanding the importance of education in shark-based tourism as the cage-dive participant experience and conservation potential of the tour can be enhanced with the addition of a structured interpretation programme.

KEYWORDS:

• White shark
• cage-diving
• wildlife tourism
• shark conservation
• regulation

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the white shark cage-diving operators of Port Lincoln, South Australia and their staff for their support of this study. We would also like to thank all of the participants for their interest and participation in the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Kirin Apps completed a Bachelor of Marine Science and Management at Southern Cross University (Hons). She is currently in the final year of a Ph.D. focusing on the participant experience of white shark tourism in Australia. She is currently employed as an associate lecturer in the Protected Area Management course.

Dr David Lloyd is an Associate Professor, and he lectures in Protected Area Management, Cultural Heritage, Resource Assessment techniques and Coastal Management. Prior to commencing at SCU, he spent 11 years as a senior manager with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority where he developed training materials and programmes for interpretive staff and operators. He has an ongoing role in natural area management projects with interests and research in social sciences, communication, and community engagement.

Dr Kay Dimmock is a senior lecturer in the School of Business and Tourism at Southern Cross University. Her research focuses on recreational scuba diving and water-based leisure, tourism, and management. An international collaboration resulted in refereed journal and edited book publications. Further, an ongoing interest in social impacts and experiences from tourism at the community level leads Kay to livelihood studies and the link with marine tourism in coastal locations.

Dr Charlie Huveneers is a senior lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at Flinders University. He is recognised by his peers as an international expert in the field of shark ecology and conservation. He created the Southern Shark Ecology Group (SSEG) at Flinders University, which delivers high-quality research on the biology, ecology, and population status of sharks and rays, as well as assessments of their vulnerability to fishing pressure, interactions with humans and related public perception.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources South Australia. This study was financially supported by Southern Cross University, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, and approved by the Southern Cross University ethics committee [ECN-15-018].