Background

This project gathers a multidisciplininary team of experts in diferent areas, such as shark research and conservation, marine ecotourism, scientific and environmental communicaton, as well as public participation in science, with the proper logistics and scientifical support.

The funding from Save Our Seas allows this team to perform a series of actions, both in field as in the education and awareness of diferent targets, and contribute to a large media coverage and interest for shark conservation. The team also think that it be able to bring local public tourism bureau and tourism companies to join the project and contribute to its goals.

This project is a combination of education, economical benefits for local comunities, increase in local knowledge on shark ecology, conservation and change towards a better and more sustained use of marine resourses with possible repercursions in several EU coutries.

Aims and Objectives

The general aim is to make the Portuguese Algarve a “Shark Friendly Region”. Individual objectives include:

• To emphasise the potencial of shark diving as a ecotourism product in the region
• Reduce shark consumption in the region at diferent levels (locals & tourists)
• Involve public and private entities in shark conservation and its economical benefits to the region
• Acquire further knowledge on shark ecology in the region
• Educate locals and tourists towards shark importance and conservation
• Promote Algarve eco-tourism through the valorization of shark diving and shark conservation associated products