How does shark ecotourism potentially influence an increase in incidents?
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Shark ecotourism can potentially influence an increase in incidents by altering the natural behaviors and movements of sharks, leading to disturbed behavioral states and increased energetic expenditure . Provisioning from wildlife tourism, such as food-based attractants, can raise activity levels and burst behaviors in sharks, impacting their health and fitness . However, some studies suggest that sharks may compensate for the raised energy expenditure by feeding on bait provided by operators or through natural foraging . While some research indicates that the effects of provisioning on shark ecology may be limited, it is crucial to implement strict codes of conduct during ecotourism activities to ensure the safety of both participants and animals involved . Additionally, the type of bait used during ecotourism activities can influence shark surface behaviors, potentially increasing the risk of accidents during interactions with boats .
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| Papers (5) | Insight |
|---|---|
| Shark ecotourism can lead to an increase in stress-related behaviors and a decrease in foraging, indicating potential negative impacts on whale shark behavior and energy intake. | |
13 Citations | Shark ecotourism can potentially increase incidents due to different bait types affecting surface behavior, with fresh bait and chum leading to more violent interactions, raising accident risks. |
19 May 2023 | Shark ecotourism can increase the probability of sharks being in a disturbed state, leading to higher energetic expenditure and potential downstream ecological effects, as shown in the study on whale sharks. |
| Shark ecotourism can increase activity and burst behaviors in non-focal pelagic fish like yellowtail kingfish, potentially impacting their movements and energy expenditure, but their physiological condition remains stable. | |
| Not addressed in the paper. |
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