Effects of provisioning ecotourism activity on the behaviour of white sharks Carcharodon carcharias

摘要: Ecotourism operations which provide food to large predators have the potential neg- atively affect their target species, by conditioning them associate humans with food, or gener- ally altering behavioural patterns. This latter effect could potentially detrimental conse- quences for ecosystem inhabited predator, because any changes species they interact. We present results of an experimental study conducted from June October 2004, examined effects provisioning ecotourism on behaviour white sharks around a seal colony small island in South Africa. Although activity had some sharks, this was relatively minor, and majority showed little interest rewards offer. It is unlikely that would occur amount tested, even those identified supplying most data presented here (which may be more strongly predisposed towards conditioning, as persis- tence boat what allowed identified) nearly ubiquitous trend decreasing response time. Furthermore, frequently acquiring typically stopped responding after several interactions. Consequently, moderate levels probably only minor impact are therefore create at level.