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An estimate of the number of white sharks Carcharodon carcharias interacting with ecotourism in Guadalupe Island |
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| Authors: | Edgar E. Becerril-García Edgar M. Hoyos-Padilla Omar Santana-Morales Miguel A. Gutiérrez-Ortiz Arturo Ayala-Bocos Felipe Galván-Magaña |
| Affiliation: | 1. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Mexico;2. Pelagios Kakunjá A.C., La Paz, Mexico;3. Facultad de Ciencias Marinas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico;4. Ecosistemas y Conservación: Proazul Terrestre A. C., La Paz, Mexico |
| Abstract: | The aim of the present study is to provide an estimate of the number of white sharks Carcharodon carcharias that seasonally interact with ecotourism boats in Guadalupe Island using Schnabel's mark–recapture method and 6316 records of white sharks during 2012–2014. The results of the estimation highlight an abundance of 78 white sharks 95% C.I. (62.1, 105.6) interacting with ecotourism. The regulations regarding the number of tourists, boats and the monitoring of white sharks should be assessed to improve management decisions regarding the conservation and sustainable use of this threatened species. |
| Keywords: | abundance estimation conservation ecotourism sustainable management vulnerable species |