Responsible Shark and Ray Tourism: A Guide to Best Practice

One in four shark and ray species is facing an increased threat of extinction due primarily to overfishing. Responsible shark and ray related ecotourism can be a powerful, complementary conservation strategy.  It can also serve as an important supplementary source of income benefiting operators and the local communities alike.

When you commit to best practice, you help build a better future for sharks and rays as well as your local community.

Make a commitment today. You can help minimize the adverse impacts of tourism on shark and ray populations and raise awareness to protect shark and rays in your local community.

The Guide helps you create specific guidelines appropriate to your local circumstances. It helps you make choices based on the latest scientific research and pave a route that is right for you.

If you want to use tourism to help conserve sharks and rays in your location then we want to work with you.

The Guide

Download full Guide and tools in English  – HIGH RES (23MB)  – LOW RES (4MB).

Best Practice Toolkit 

Download specific sections or the full toolkit below.

1. How do you perform?

2. Building a social license

3. How well do you know your market and license requirements?

4. Guidance for management authorities

5. Selecting a site

6. Example code of conducts

7. Provisioning

8. Full Toolkit

Note: The Best Practice Toolkit is not a standalone resource. You should view all the tools as referenced in the Guide.

Example Interaction Guidelines (Code of Conduct) Posters

A collection of posters sharing examples of interaction guidelines developed by environmental organizations and/or government authorities. 

1. Basking Shark
2. Mobulid Ray
3. Reef Shark
4. Shark Cage Diving
5. Stingray
6. Whale Shark
7. Full collection of example posters (ZIP File 1MB)

Example Icons (ZIP File 6MB)

If you’re looking for icons to help develop your own Code of Conduct you can access pdf and eps versions here. If you need any help please reach out. 

Your feedback needed

We’d love to hear from you. As case studies and science continues to evolve, your own input and experience is really important to us. You can provide your feedback on the Guide here.

Thanks to everyone, from industry, researchers and authorities, who have helped shape this Guide and given feedback and advice so far.