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Whale sharks in Ningaloo Marine Park: Managing tourism in an Australian marine protected area


Posted on 02 August 2011

TitleWhale sharks in Ningaloo Marine Park: Managing tourism in an Australian marine protected area
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1997
AuthorsDavis, D, Banks S, Birtles A, Valentine P, Cuthill M
JournalTourism Management
Volume18
Issue5
Pagination259 - 271
Date Published08/1997
ISSN02615177
Keywordsbiodiversity, human use, Ningaloo, socio-economy, tourism, whale sharks
AbstractThe whale shark is the largest fish in the ocean. A tourism industry based on interacting with whale sharks has developed recently in Ningaloo Marine Park, off the coast of Western Australia. This is the only known, accessible place in the world where whale sharks congregate in significant numbers. Results from surveys of participants in the ‘whale shark experience’ are reported, with the experience found to be extremely satisfying for most consumers. Yet management questions relating to diver-to-shark separation distances, the appropriate number of operators, and the use of regulation, self-regulation and economic instruments, remain. The nexus between experiential aspects of the whale shark attraction and such management concerns is examined, and the usefulness of appropriate research in resolving management questions established. It is concluded that a judicious combination of management approaches is required to ensure the sustainable development of the whale shark tourism industry.
URLhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261517797000150
DOI10.1016/S0261-5177(97)00015-0
Short TitleTourism Management
Refereed DesignationRefereed