title: Sharks and people: insight into the global practices of tourism operators and their attitudes to shark behaviour.
abstract: Shark tourism is a popular but controversial activity. We obtained insights into this industry via a global e-mailed questionnaire completed by 45 diving/snorkelling operators who advertised shark experiences (shark operators) and 49 who did not (non-shark operators). 42% of shark operators used an attractant to lure sharks and 93% stated they had a formal code of conduct which 86% enforced "very strictly". While sharks were reported to normally ignore people, 9 operators had experienced troublesome behaviour from them. Whilst our research corroborates previous studies indicating minimal risk to humans from most shark encounters, a precautionary approach to provisioning is required to avoid potential ecological and societal effects of shark tourism. Codes of conduct should always stipulate acceptable diver behaviour and appropriate diver numbers and shark operators should have a moral responsibility to educate their customers about the need for shark conservation.
authors.affiliation: Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK.
authors.forename: Kirsty
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.affiliation: Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK. Electronic address: bcol500@york.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Bethan C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: O'Leary
authors.affiliation: Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK.
authors.forename: Callum M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Marine Conservation International, 5 Lang Rigg Apt. 6, South Queensferry EH30 9WN, UK.
authors.forename: Rupert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ormond
authors.affiliation: Marine Conservation International, 5 Lang Rigg Apt. 6, South Queensferry EH30 9WN, UK.
authors.forename: Mauvis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gore
authors.affiliation: Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK.
authors.forename: Julie P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hawkins
mesh_terms: D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D001290:Attitude; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D004242:Diving; D006801:Humans; D012754:Sharks / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014195:Travel / Q000941:ethics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Attack; Provisioning; Questionnaire survey; SCUBA diving