Global shark currency: the distribution, frequency, and economic value of shark ecotourism Austin J. Gallagher a,c∗ and Neil Hammerschlag a,b,c a Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, University of Miami, P.O. Box 248203, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA; b Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL, 33149, USA; c RJ Dunlap Marine Conservation Program, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA (Received 10 March 2011; final version received 26 April 2011) Ecotourism represents a highly popularised activity which has exhibited global growth in recent years. In the present paper, we examine the distribution, frequency, and economic value of shark-based ecotourism operations worldwide. A total of 376 shark ecotour operations across 83 locations and 8 geographic regions were identified. Here we describe the global and regional scope of the industry; determine the species utilised in shark ecotourism activities; and examine the recreational usage values of sharks. Further, we conducted a case study of a shark tourism operation based in South Africa by analysing 12 years of demographical and economical data, revealing increasing trends in the total number of customers served and cost per trip over the sampling period. We also compare consumptive and non-consumptive values of shark resources and discuss the potential research and conservation implications of the industry to sharks worldwide. Keywords: ecotourism; shark diving; biodiversity preservation; shark; economic valuation Introduction Ecosystem capital is the sum of all the goods and services provided to global human enter- prises by natural systems. These services are conservatively valued at US$41 trillion per year (Wright & Boorse, 2008). Furthermore, such capital depends on the maintenance of ecosystem biodiversity and resilience; nevertheless, many natural systems are experiencing severe losses in both (Dunne, Williams, & Martinez, 2002; Pearce & Moran, 1996; Tittensor et al., 2010; Worm et al., 2007). The drivers of these losses are numerous and include growing anthropogenic threats in the form of (but not limited to) habitat destruction, invasive species, pollution, climate change, and overfishing (e.g. Wilcove, Rothstein, Dubow, Phillips, & Losos, 1998; Worm et al., 2006; Worm & Lotze, 2009). Removing species from habitats can lead to small-scale extirpation and subsequent shifts in food- web dynamics; however, the targeted removal of keystone and/or ecologically important species may be detrimental to ecosystem structure and function, thus impacting biodiversity ISSN 1368-3500 print/ISSN 1747-7603 online # 2011 Taylor & Francis DOI: 10.1080/13683500.2011.585227 http://www.informaworld.com ∗ Corresponding author. Email: agallagher@rsmas.miami.edu Current Issues in Tourism 2011, iFirst article, 1–16 Downloaded By: [Gallagher, Austin Joseph] At: 11:47 2 June 2011