Living with Sharks: Shark Ecotourism, Conservation and Coexistence with Dr Gonzalo Araujo | S2E2

Can ecotourism help sharks, or are we sometimes getting it wrong?In this episode of Series 2, host Mark Stokes-Packer speaks with Dr Gonzalo Araujo, Founder and Director of MARECO Marine Research and Conservation Foundation. Together, they explore what shark ecotourism really means, how it differs from ordinary wildlife tourism, and why the details matter.Gonzalo explains why good ecotourism should benefit sharks, local communities, and the wider marine environment. But he also looks at the risks. What happens when shark behaviour is changed? When does provisioning or overcrowding become a problem? And how do we decide where the line is between a positive wildlife encounter and one that causes harm?This episode also looks at codes of conduct, tourist responsibility, local management, and why the same species may need different rules in different parts of the world. From Whale Sharks in Australia to Blue Sharks in the UK, Gonzalo shows why there is no one-size-fits-all answer.Please like, share, subscribe, and leave a comment. If you have a question about Living with Sharks, drop it below and we can answer it in a future episode. Or email mark@sharktrust.orgFollow Dr Gonzalo Araujo:MARECO websiteMARECO InstagramGonzo's InstagramFollow the Shark Trust:InstagramFacebookLinkedInSupport our work by becoming a member, adopting a shark, donating, or taking part in our citizen science projects. You can do all of this by visiting sharktrust.orgSeries 2 sponsored by SurfEars.Artwork by rev.01 Studio.Video and sound editing by Louis Hogan.Research and planning by Cat Gordon and Mark Stokes-Packer.Thank you for listening to the Shark Trust Podcast!Our short-documentary "Living with Sharks: in the Bahamas" is available on YouTube.ChaptersChapters00:00 Introduction to Shark Ecotourism00:27 Meet Dr Gonzalo Araujo08:29 What Is Ecotourism?10:13 Can Ecotourism Help Sharks?13:10 Why Shark Tourism Works in Some Places and Not Others15:02 Risks of Shark Tourism19:03 How Tourism Can Change Shark Behaviour24:15 Where Is the Red Line?28:25 Animal Welfare and Ecosystem Function29:36 Provisioning, Conditioning, and Long-Term Impacts33:29 Codes of Conduct and Blue Shark Tourism41:07 Creating Codes of Conduct with Operators43:26 What Makes a Good Code of Conduct?45:04 Enforcement, Licensing, and Responsibility50:26 Planning Ahead for Shark Recovery53:15 How to Choose Responsible Shark Tourism57:13 Gonzalo’s Favourite Shark59:30 Where to Find Gonzalo and MARECO