Defense Date

8-8-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Science

Degree Name

Marine Science

First Advisor

Dr. Fraser Januchowski-Hartley

Second Advisor

Dr. Leanne Boucher

Third Advisor

Dr. James Kerfoot

Keywords

Transformative Experience, Psychological Shifts, Shark Wildlife Tourism, Pro-Environmental Behavior

Abstract

Shark wildlife tourism has the potential to shape pro-environmental values and attitudes, fostering meaningful conservation behaviors. Understanding the influence of participating in shark tourism activities provides valuable insights into its effectiveness as a conservation tool. This study compared different intervention types related to wildlife tourism, including both direct (i.e., swimming with sharks) and indirect (i.e., viewing a related documentary) interactions with sharks. To evaluate the impact of these intervention events, participants were surveyed at three time intervals: before, immediately afterwards, and one month after the event. The surveys assessed respondents’ psychological constructs related to the environment, specifically their value orientations, connection to nature and sharks, and engagement in pro-environmental behaviors. Findings reveal that shark wildlife engagement can lead to immediate shifts in value, attitude, and behavior in favor of the environment. Participants who directly interacted with sharks showed evidence of longer-lasting shifts in pro-environmental attributes compared to participants in other intervention types, suggesting that emotional connection and reflection are inherent to the experience and further permeate the transformative effects of the event. These results emphasize the significant role of tourism in shaping conservation attitudes and behaviors. This study emphasizes the importance of designing shark tourism experiences that are both engaging and emotionally impactful, thereby maximizing their conservation potential.

Additional Files
Supplementary_Material.pdf (950 kB)
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