Unraveling the white shark observation tourism at Guadalupe Island, Mexico

Unraveling the white shark observation tourism at Guadalupe Island, Mexico: Actors, needs and sustainability

Mercedes I. Meza-Arce, Luis Malpica-Cruz, Mauricio E. Hoyos-Padilla, Francisco J. Mojica, María Concepción Arredondo-García, Claudia Leyva, Rebeca Zertuche-Chanes, Omar Santana-Morales

Marine Policy 119 (2020)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2020.104056

Abstract

White Shark watching tourism at natural aggregation sites is an increasingly popular activity globally among marine wildlife enthusiasts. This wildlife tourism activity promotes conservation and economic development but information on the design of adequate and sustainable management practices is missing. Management of the White Shark Observation Activity (WSOA) at Guadalupe Island, Mexico, in an international context was explored. The actors involved in the WSOA as well as the power relationships among them were investigated. Actors helped to elucidate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the WSOA. Tourist Operators, Tourists, a Fishing Cooperative, Non-Governmental Organizations, Academia, and Federal Government institutions were identified as the main groups of actors. All the actors agreed that they have an interest in the use of resources and their conservation, but their needs and some perspectives of management differed. An imbalance of power among actors was found, with Federal Governmental institutions holding most power, possibly hindering collective management actions. It is necessary to adapt a management plan that promotes a vision for the future and the integration of the concerns and perspectives of the stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of the WSOA.

Keywords: Wildlife tourism, Environmental management, SWOT analysis, MACTOR analysis, Marine protected areas