Conservation and Economic Benefits of Wildlife-Based Marine Tourism: Sea Turtles and Whales as Case Studies

Abstract

Tourism development can have positive and/or negative impacts on wildlife. However, if tourism is developed in accordance with the basic tenets of wildlife tourism such an activity can be sustainable and can aid the conservation of species. Based on two case studies in Queensland, Australia, this article outlines the various economic and conservation benefits arising from wildlife-based tourism. Some of the benefits are direct, such as tangible economic benefits, others are less tangible, such as increased visitors' willingness to pay in principle for the conservation of species. Wildlife-based tourism is shown to foster political support for the conservation of species utilized for such tourism by various mechanisms. Non-consumptive uses of wildlife are not only sustainable, but may provide a viable alternative to consumptive uses.

Assignment of measurable costs and benefits to wildlife conservation projects

“…REA allows for the estimation of secondary benefits associated with the conservation of wildlife species in terms of units of measure (e.g., revenue, income and jobs) that are important to the general public. As biological conservation projects increase wildlife populations, the primary benefit of population increases may drive measurable secondary benefits such as increased tourism (both consumptive and non--consumptive) (Duffield 1992, Wilson andTisdell 2003). Increases in tourism have benefits to the regional economy that can be measured through the use of regional economic models such as IMPLAN (Impact Analysis for Planning, Minnesota IMPLAN® Group, Stillwater MN) and REMI (Regional Economic Modeling Inc.).…”

Bonding and Bridging Forms of Social Capital in Wildlife Tourism Microentrepreneurship: An Application of Social Network Analysis

“…In North Carolina alone, there were about 3.5 million people (16 years and older, including residents and non-residents) enjoying wildlife-related activities, with a contribution of approximately $3.3 billion to the state's economy [18]. Wildlife tourism is often linked to poverty reduction in many rural areas [11], and it is also touted as a strategy to capture both economic benefits and conservation by instilling human empathy for wildlife and creating an interest in their conservation [19]. Wildlife tourism has the potential to support sustainable rural livelihoods because wildlife resources are often rich and available in rural areas [20], which fosters the development of rural enterprises [13,21], specifically through microentrepreneurship [22].…”

Avaliação do turismo de observação de botos-cinza na Reserva Faunística Costeira de Tibau do Sul (REFAUTS), Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

“…Essa atividade altamente rentável, quando realizada de forma ordenada, pode contribuir para a conservação de cetáceos, para o desenvolvimento econômico local (CISNEROS-MONTEMAYOR et al, 2010;WILSON;TISDELL, 2003) e para a sensibilização dos turistas envolvidos no TOC (LÜCK, 2015). Na América Latina, o TOC tem crescido substancialmente desde 1998, com uma taxa de crescimento de aproximadamente 11,3% ao ano, taxa três vezes maior do que a taxa mundial (HOYT; IÑÍGUEZ, 2008 O boto-cinza é uma das menores espécies da família Delphinidae (BARROS, 1991), possuindo ampla distribuição ao longo da costa atlântica tropical e subtropical da América do Sul e Central (BOROBIA et al, 1991;CARR;BONDE, 2000;FLORES, 1999).…”