14 DAY TRIAL // Researchers working with the University of British Columbia have recently published a study showing that, financially speaking, it makes more sense to protect sharks, rather than hunt them and turn them into soup or some other exotic dish.
This team of researchers reached their conclusion after documenting the value of the ecotourism industry, and comparing it to the value of global shark fisheries.
These specialists say that, as far as they can tell, the value of global shark fisheries currently amounts to $630 million (€485.05 million).
Interestingly enough, it appears that this particular industry used to be worth much more in the past, yet has been steadily declining over the past decade.
By comparison, global ecotourism is said to generate about $314 million (€241.75 million) on a yearly basis.
What's more, the University of British Columbia researchers maintain that the income generated by this industry will most likely up to $780 million (€600.54 million) over the next two decades.
Commenting on the findings of this investigation, specialist Andres Cisneros-Montemayor said that, “The emerging shark tourism industry attracts nearly 600,000 shark watchers annually, directly supporting 10,000 jobs.”
“It is abundantly clear that leaving sharks in the ocean is worth much more than putting them on the menu,” he went on to argue.
Andres Cisneros-Montemayor and his fellow researchers are fairly convinced that, should high officials agree to pass laws aimed at better controlling the activity of global shark fisheries, global economy would only benefit.
“Sharks are slow to mature and produce few offspring. The protection of live sharks, especially through dedicated protected areas, can benefit a much wider economic spectrum while helping the species recover,” stated study senior author Rashid Sumaila.
Reports issued by conservationists say that, in 2009 alone, a whopping 38 million sharks were killed in order to keep the global fin trade up and running.
To get a better idea of just how many sharks are killed by humans each and every hour, check out this infographic here.