Information Hub - Responsible Tourism
Code of Conduct poster for diving with Whale Sharks.
Code of conduct for swimming with whale sharks for tourist safety and to lessen disturbence to the Whale Shark.
This Guide aims to provide practical, science-based information for shark and ray tourism operators who want to offer the best possible experience to their customers, while conserving species and habitats and making a positive contribution to local communities. It provides guidance, and tools that can be tailored to local circumstances, enabling operators to improve the educational quality, safety, and sustainability of their businesses.
This a study on Manta rays (Manta birostris) and manta ecotourism in the Maldives. The paper investigates the different levels of interaction between manta rays and humans. Results show a clear distinction between the reactions of the sexes and age classes; females displaying the lowest level of reaction, with juveniles exhibiting higher levels of disturbance in comparison to the mature adults. These differences have implications for the ecotourism industry and must be considered in order to reduce negative impacts on manta populations.
Whilst the MPA designation of Hanifaru (Maldives) provides an excellent foundation for ongoing management, this study emphasises the urgent need for relevant regulations and onsite enforcement to be implemented in order to ensure the future of the site. Despite its legal status, there is no onsite government presence to monitor the intensity of site use or to enforce regulations in place.
Factsheet on tourism in Baa Atoll and Hanifaru Bay (Maldives), where large numbers of manta rays and whale sharks are found seasonally, created to produce a guide to best-practise shark and ray tourism. Hanifaru is a Marine Protected Area (MPA) since 2009; the MPA regulations include a limit on the number of visitors, set a maximum time to stay in the bay for tourists, and bans on scuba diving and fishing.
Shows best practice SCUBA and snorkel procedure for swimming with Angelshark. Guidance developed by the Angel Shark Conservation Network (ASCN).
The Manta Trust developed a code of conduct for scuba diving and snorkelling based on quantifiable research to promote responsible tourism; however, research on scuba divermanta interactions remains limited. This study aimed to increase available knowledge on scuba diving with reef manta rays through behavioural analysis of video footage from cleaning stations across the Maldives and to determine if the current recommended guidelines are effective at minimizing disturbance by scuba divers. Overall, scuba divers were found to have a minimal impact on reef manta rays at cleaning stations.
The following guidelines have been designed to help water-userd reduce the risk of injuring or harassing Basking Sharks.
As part of the How to Swim with Manta Rays initiative, the Mata Trust converted their Code of Conduct into a video media tool - designed to inform and engage tourists, assist operators, and ultimately help minimise human impacts on manta rays around the world. See video using link: https://swimwithmantas.org/