01 Introduction
We are consolidating a national portfolio of ongoing and potential shark-based tourism opportunities with their respective business plans, for discussion with local stakeholders on the use and conservation of sharks and mantas other pelagic species.
What is the perception of the communities to change?
Insights into local views on livelihood transformation to protect sharks and conserve marine ecosystems.
What is the potential of sharks as an ecotourism resource to produce economic value in interest?
Exploring sustainable pathways from fishing to ecotourism
02 Community transitions to ecotourism and other activities
An analysis will be performed on the possibility of a community-based enterprise based on sharks and other marine megafauna with a system of categories that describes the spectrum of the different stages of perception and willing to change by the communities from fishing to ecotourism and other economic activities. The fishing to ecotourism model is based on the success story of Cabo Pulmo, where local fishermen transitioned voluntarily from artisanal fishing to tour operators without much guidance and assistance to create their own businesses, hence it took them many years to gain significant income.
Here we propose an assisted transition by:
Carrying out discovery and research visits to several of the fishing communities to gather media, connect with the fishing sites, and to evaluate the ‘swim way’ for ecotourism’
Developing a detailed business plan for specific opportunities using the expressed interests of local communities for operating business based on shark conservation
Facilitating the transition with the help of our so-called “fishermen ambassadors” by having fisherman to fisherman meetings where the ex-fishermen of other places explain their experiences as ecotour operators to the fishermen that want to transition to this new activity.
03 Deliverables
Practical Tools and Knowledge for Local Impact
04 Figures
Geographic Insights into Our Work
Fishing communities
Supporting coastal fishing communities with resources, knowledge, and sustainable practices to ensure both livelihoods and marine ecosystems thrive together.
Proposed Marine Protected Area
Advancing the creation of a Marine Protected Area to safeguard critical shark habitats and promote long-term ocean biodiversity conservation.
Take Action Today
Donate
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Adopt
Through the adopt a shark program, anyone can symbolically sponsor a shark for themselves, a loved one or together as a company, school group or university
Donors
Recognizing the generous organizations whose continued support drives our shark conservation, research, and education initiatives forward