Assessing the socio-economic value of shark diving in the Protea Banks Marine Protected Area, South Africa

Protea Banks, a reef off the east coast of South Africa and a renowned dive destination, attained marine protected area (MPA) status in 2019. This study investigates the economic significance of the shark diving industry at this MPA and examines diver experiences. Data were collected by means of a semi-structured questionnaire survey of 107 divers, between December 2018 and June 2019. Diver counts (883 launched divers; 95% CI = 760–1 025) estimated from the boat launch site monitoring system were used to estimate economic value through mean visitor expenditures. Of the respondents, 80.3% (<i>n</i> = 82) identified tiger sharks <i>Galeocerdo cuvier</i> and scalloped hammerhead sharks <i>Sphyrna lewini</i> as primary attractions within the MPA. Annually, the assessed economic value of the shark-diving sector at Protea Banks totals ZAR 39 875 891 (USD 2 574 298, at ZAR 15.49 = USD 1.00) (95% CI = ZAR 34 123 302–46 384 726), conferring substantial benefits to the local and national economies. Divers highly rated both the dive quality and operator standards, and despite sharks approaching to within an average distance of 2.2 m (95% CI = 1.4–3.0), none of the interviewed divers reported shark aggression, maintaining a sense of safety during encounters. A large majority (70.7%) expressed support for chum usage to enhance shark sightings. This research underscores the substantial economic contributions of this diving industry and illuminates perspectives crucial for shaping future conservation strategies, specifically regarding MPAs in South Africa.