By : Vinni Nurizky (Bycatch and Sharks Conservation Assistant)

Interest in recreational diving is driving the development of the diving industry in Indonesia. Shark and ray diving tourism has its own attraction for several local and foreign tourists to experience the sensation of swimming with sharks and rays directly in their habitat.

With this in mind, WWF, Project Aware and Manta Trust launched the Best Practice Guidelines for Responsible Shark and Ray Tourism. The guidelines are intended as a code of conduct for shark and ray tourism operators who not only accompany tourists, but also implement practices to conserve the species and their habitats.

While fisheries issues threaten shark and ray populations, tourism threats are equally important. Impacts caused by tourism, including pollution from boats, sewage and plastic waste, touching or injuring animals and even changing the natural behavior of sharks or rays in a location will also ultimately damage the resources on which tourism is based.

These guidelines are the first to provide practical, science-based information for shark and ray tourism operators who want to provide the best for tourists while conserving species and habitats, and contributing to local communities. It provides advice and tools that can be adapted to local situations, supporting operators in improving the education, safety and sustainability of their operations. It also provides practical information based on the best available scientific data, for management authorities and others involved in the industry.

WWWF
WWF is one of the largest and most experienced independent conservation organizations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF's mission is to halt environmental degradation and build a future where people and nature live in harmony, by conserving the world's biodiversity, ensuring the sustainable use of renewable resources, and supporting efforts to reduce pollution and overconsumption.
www.panda.org

ABOUT PROJECT AWARE®
Project AWARE is a non-profit organization and global movement of divers to protect our ocean planet - one dive at a time. Centered on critical issues like Sharks in Peril and Marine Debris, PROJECT AWARE empowers thousands to work together to create clean, healthy and abundant oceans.
www.projectaware.org

ABOUT THE MANTA TRUST
The Manta Trust takes a multidisciplinary approach to conserving manta rays and their habitats around the world, through credible research and science, while raising awareness and educating the general public and stakeholders.
www.mantatrust.org