As further proof of why we as humans can’t have nice things, a new study found that a massive increase in ecotourism revolving around whale sharks is having disastrous effects on the surrounding ecosystem.
Researchers from the University of Hong Kong, the University of Guam, and the Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines found that whale shark tourism in Tan-awan, Oslob, Philippines has led to degradation of the local coral reef when compared to a similar site.
Whale sharks are present on the shallow reefs around Oslob year-round, creating a domestic and international tourism hotspot since 2011. It is estimated that over 300,000 people visited the site to feed and swim with the mammoth fish in 2015 and that over 600,000 were expected to visit the site in 2018. That number is expected to climb next year.
Compared to a similar site further south the coast, the study found that Tan-awan shows greater impacts of degradation as indicated by higher macroalgae and lower coral density as well as a less diverse coral community dominated by weedy corals (Pocillopora) and stress-tolerant (Porites) corals.
The study, which was published in the scientific journal “Environmental Management,” could provide a baseline to measure future tourism management intervention and create a more sustainable tourism model. While most of the studies to date focus on the whale shark population and tourism perception, this is the first study that investigates the impacts of intensive provisioning and concentrating tourism activities on the health of the largely understudied yet highly vulnerable local reef ecosystem.
“It is vital for all stakeholders to understand that the environmental and societal well-being go hand in hand,” Univ. of Hong Kong biologist and lead author of the study Martin Wong said. “I hope that everyone can come to the table to contribute to management and conservation efforts to reverse the trend of reef degradation in Tan-awan.”
Because of the findings, the research team, including Dr. Ponzo of the Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute in the Philippines, is calling on local authorities to implement proper management strategies to mitigate the problems and risks associated with the rapid tourism development.
“Let this be a new beginning,” Ponzon said. “We are positive that with this baseline data at hand the local authorities will look further into the long term and broader ecological impact of mass tourism activities, in Oslob as in many other areas in the country and put a priority into the conservation of their marine resources, shifting towards sustainable tourism and ensuring the local food security through the conservation and restoration of healthy marine ecosystems.”