Marine Life & Conservation
New Scientific Study Shows Economic Benefits of Manta Rays for the Mozambican Tourism Industry
A new scientific study by the Marine Megafauna Foundation, a global non-profit marine research and conservation organization, on the economic benefits of manta ray tourism in Mozambique has been published in Tourism in Marine Environments. This represents the first detailed study of its kind in Mozambique.
Manta rays are internationally threatened species and population declines have been reported in various locations worldwide. Aside from fishing pressure, manta rays face other anthropogenic threats including injuries or entanglement in discarded nets and lines, pollution and habitat destruction. However, these iconic megafauna species are also major drawcards for wildlife tourism industries, providing an incentive for the protection of the animals and their natural habitats through the creation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the restriction of harvesting or trade.
In this first study, the Marine Megafauna Foundation used data from 478 tourist expenditure surveys, 15 stakeholder surveys and yearly diver statistics provided by coastal tour operators to estimate the economic impact of manta ray tourism in Mozambique’s Inhambane Province. Manta ray tours are estimated to be worth US$10.9 million per year in direct revenue to dive operators in the Inhambane Province, with an estimated direct economic impact (including associated tourism expenditures) of US$34 million annually. In the absence of manta ray tourism, between US$16.1 and 25.7 million would be lost to the region each year.
“The opportunity to interact with manta rays in their natural environment attracts tourists from all over the world to Mozambique, directly benefiting the local economy. This study demonstrates that in the long term conserving these gentle giants outweighs the one-time economic benefits of fishing them,” commented Stephanie Venables, manta ray scientist at the Marine Megafauna Foundation. “Our ongoing research in the region has shown that manta ray populations are in considerable decline, however, through the implementation of well-designed and effectively managed Marine Protected Areas coupled with legislative protection, it is still possible to make a difference and save these iconic animals before it is too late.”
Mozambique’s coastline stretches for 2,470km and has six designated Marine Protected Areas to date. The Marine Megafauna Foundation is providing conservation strategies to local governments and community leaders to protect threatened marine megafauna species and the economic value of marine tourism. Since 2016, the organization has also been working with communities around Tofo Beach, a major tourist destination in the Inhambane Province, towards implementing a Locally Managed Marine Area.
The Marine Megafauna Foundation was created in 2009 to research, protect and conserve the populations of threatened marine megafauna around the world. ‘Megafauna’ are large marine species such as sharks, rays, marine mammals and sea turtles. For more information visit marinemegafauna.org.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
Until 28 November, prizes worth a massive £10,000 – including experiences, products and tuition – feature in a line-up of items that can be won for £5 in an online prize draw to celebrate Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation’s 20th anniversary and help generate crucial funds for the future.
Top of the list of prizes is the chance to spend time with adventurer and wildlife expert Steve Backshall, a workout session with Nat Geo star Aldo Kane, a kayaking trip alongside white-water expert and diver Sal Montgomery and a Zoom call with ‘shark whisperer’ Cristina Zenato.
On top of that, some of the most admired companies in the diving and scuba industry have been quick to support the charity with fabulous prizes that make the £5 ticket price worth more than just a flutter.
Master Liveaboards, BSAC, Midlands Diving Chamber, Go Freediving and Blue Shark Snorkel have all generously donated experience prizes, while celebrated photographer Alex Mustard has donated a print and artists Scott Gleed and Olivier Leger have donated a sculpture and illustration to help boost the fundraising pot.
Fourth Element has donated Ocean Positive gear and LA watch company Nodus has gifted the charity a stunning dive watch. For land lovers, the charity has included a five star London hotel stay at Bankside Hotel plus a family visit to Longleat Safari Park in the roster of prizes.
Campaign director for Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with support from companies and individuals that we truly admire and who have supported us on our 20 year journey and we’re truly grateful to them all. While we feel incredibly proud of our achievements over the past two decades – and we are super excited about the next chapter – this prize draw isn’t a vanity project. It represents a real lifeline to our work and important advancements in the global protection of sharks. So we hope divers, dive clubs and even bargain hunters grab some tickets to make this a massive success.”
The charity hopes that the prize draw will generate crucial funds to launch a brand new, ground-breaking, campaign to enrol the public and increase support for the protection of sharks around the world.
To enter the competition visit www.bite-back.com/prizedraw. The prize winners will be announced on 1 December 2024.
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