Economic Importance

Photo by Ryan Walton

Shark ecotourism generates millions of dollars in revenue every year and helps support tens of thousands of jobs in the United States. An estimated 1.2 million dollars is delivered annually to the local economy in Palm Beach County, Florida alone. Businesses that would be negatively affected in the areas where shark diving occurs include, but are not limited to: hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, dive shops, marinas, and retail stores. Shark diving is a very popular activity for people of varying abilities and skill levels. To outlaw this type of ecotourism would seriously harm local businesses, dive operators’ pockets, and the surrounding communities.