Shark dives 'boost rural economies'

Efforts to boost shark and ray watching in the UK could have significant economic benefits for coastal communities, a think-tank has suggested.

Divers who seek out "spectacular" marine species such as sharks and rays in the Canary Islands help generate £14.5 million for the local economy there, a study revealed.

The presence of the sharks and rays are also directly responsible for some 429 jobs, the research by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) and the La Universidad de la Laguna, Tenerife, found.

NEF said similar benefits could be seen in the UK, if better conservation measures were put in place to protect the marine environment as well as the 21 species of sharks and 16 types of skates and rays found in our waters.

The think-tank called for an expansion of marine reserves around the UK and greater efforts to conserve species found in our waters, such as sharks - half of which are considered to be threatened.

The basking shark, the world's second largest fish, already supports eco-tourism in the UK.

But NEF said more wildlife tourism around our coasts could boost local economies.

With "staycations" proving popular in economically tough times, divers and wildlife enthusiasts should be encouraged to explore the UK's marine ecosystems rather than jumping on a plane to go diving abroad, the think-tank said.

NEF said exploring the UK's seas would create fewer carbon emissions than flying abroad, helping to prevent damage to the marine environment from climate change and ocean acidification caused by greenhouse gases.

Aniol Esteban, head of environmental economics at NEF said: "This study reminds us that the marine environment is a key economic asset to countries like the UK. Wildlife tourism in the UK already brings millions to our local economies but much of the marine environment remains an untapped resource that needs to be looked into in more detail."