WHALE SHARKS IN NINGALOO-MARINE-PARK - MANAGING TOURISM IN AN AUSTRALIAN MARINE PROTECTED AREA

The whale shark is the largest fish in the ocean, A tourism industry b ased on interacting with whale sharks has developed recently in Ningal oo Marine Park, off the coast of Western Australia, This is the only k nown, accessible place in the world where whale sharks congregate in s ignificant numbers, Results from surveys of participants in the 'whale shark experience' are reported, with the experience found to be extre mely satisfying for most consumers, Yet management questions relating to diver-to-shark separation distances, the appropriate number of oper ators, and the use of regulation, self-regulation and economic instrum ents, remain, The nexus between experiential aspects of the whale shar k attraction and such management concerns is examined, and the usefuln ess of appropriate research in resolving management questions establis hed, It is concluded that a judicious combination of management approa ches is required to ensure the sustainable development of the whale sh ark tourism industry. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.