The Global Economic Impact of Manta Ray Watching Tourism

<div><p>As manta rays face increased threats from targeted and bycatch fisheries, manta ray watching tourism, if managed properly, may present an attractive economic alternative to consumptive use of these species. Both species in the genus Manta (Manta alfredi and Manta birostris) are classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List as species Vulnerable to extinction in the wild, and are considered unsustainable as fisheries resources due to their conservative life history characteristics, which considerably reduce their ability to recover population numbers when depleted. Utilising dive operator surveys, Internet research, and a literature review, this study provides the first global estimate of the direct economic impact of manta ray watching tourism and examines the potential socio-economic benefits of non-consumptive manta ray watching operations relative to consumptive use of manta rays as a fishery resource. In the 23 countries in which manta ray watching operations meeting our criteria were identified, we estimated direct revenue to dive operators from manta ray dives and snorkels at over US$73 million annually and direct economic impact, including associated tourism expenditures, of US$140 million annually. Ten countries account for almost 93% of the global revenue estimate, specifically Japan, Indonesia, the Maldives, Mozambique, Thailand, Australia, Mexico, United States, Federated States of Micronesia and Palau. In many of the areas where directed fisheries for manta rays are known to occur, these activities overlap with manta ray tourism sites or the migratory range of the mantas on which these sites depend, and are likely to be unsustainable and detrimental to manta ray watching tourism.</p></div

Whale Sharks, <em>Rhincodon typus</em>, Aggregate around Offshore Platforms in Qatari Waters of the Arabian Gulf to Feed on Fish Spawn

<div><p>Whale sharks, <i>Rhincodon typus,</i> are known to aggregate to feed in a small number of locations in tropical and subtropical waters. Here we document a newly discovered major aggregation site for whale sharks within the Al Shaheen oil field, 90 km off the coast of Qatar in the Arabian Gulf. Whale sharks were observed between April and September, with peak numbers observed between May and August. Density estimates of up to 100 sharks within an area of 1 km² were recorded. Sharks ranged between four and eight metres’ estimated total length (mean 6.92±1.53 m). Most animals observed were actively feeding on surface zooplankton, consisting primarily of mackerel tuna, <i>Euthynnus affinis,</i> eggs.</p> </div

An image taken by Maersk Oil platform worker Soren Stig on 15^th August 2007, showing an aggregation of whale sharks feeding at the surface in the Al Shaheen Oil Field.

<p>An image taken by Maersk Oil platform worker Soren Stig on 15^th August 2007, showing an aggregation of whale sharks feeding at the surface in the Al Shaheen Oil Field.</p

Bio-volume, in-water surface temperature, salinity and numbers of organisms in plankton samples taken at fixed sampling stations and at sites where feeding whale sharks were encountered.

<p>Bio-volume, in-water surface temperature, salinity and numbers of organisms in plankton samples taken at fixed sampling stations and at sites where feeding whale sharks were encountered.</p

Results of taxonomic inspection of plankton samples showing for each sample the taxa of plankton which accounted for the largest, second largest and third largest portion of the plankton in terms of numbers of individuals, and for each taxa and for fish eggs, the percentage of the zooplankton by numbers for which they accounted.

<p>Results of taxonomic inspection of plankton samples showing for each sample the taxa of plankton which accounted for the largest, second largest and third largest portion of the plankton in terms of numbers of individuals, and for each taxa and for fish eggs, the percentage of the zooplankton by numbers for which they accounted.</p

Map showing the respective locations of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the Al Shaheen oil and gas field within the Arabian Gulf, and (inset) of the Arabian Gulf itself in relation the Arabian Peninsula.

<p>Map showing the respective locations of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the Al Shaheen oil and gas field within the Arabian Gulf, and (inset) of the Arabian Gulf itself in relation the Arabian Peninsula.</p

Estimated number of whale sharks seen during platform and boat observations and moon phase for May through September 2011.

<p>Estimated number of whale sharks seen during platform and boat observations and moon phase for May through September 2011.</p