Key elements for developing sustainable whale shark-human interactions in coastal aggregation areas

Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) populations have significantly declined more than 50 % in the last 75 years mainly due to anthropogenic stressors. While the increasing demand for whale shark tourism in recent decades has boosted many local community’s economies, tourism activities may stress or alter whale shark behavior. Bahía de La Paz (Mexico) is a coastal aggregation area for whale sharks where tourism activities have been regulated since 2005, although new conservation strategies were implemented in 2018 aiming for achieving more sustainable practices. Monitoring data from 2005 to 2016 showed whale shark abundance varied seasonally and annually, and that between 30 % and 60 % of the individuals (∼50–120 each year) had boat-related injuries. In 2016, up to 77 % from 80 identified whale sharks had anthropogenic-related injuries. To reduce whale shark injuries, the government introduced several modifications to a tourism management plan. This study describes in detail the conservation strategies implemented by the Mexican government to better manage human interactions with whale sharks, aiming to improve tourism practices to reduce boat-related injuries. Among the implemented strategies we highlight 1) Zone adjustment, 2) Adapting the tourist season to whale shark seasonality, 3) Implementing a carrying capacity model, 4) Implementing a satellite tracking system, 5) Increasing patrols, and 6) Limiting the number of authorized boats. More than a decade of whale shark monitoring was crucial in establishing Bahía de La Paz, a highly demanded tourism destination, as a critical habitat for the species.