Five Ways Tourism Can Help Marine Conservation
“A tour guide has more time on the water than a marine biologist.”
This was a realization that Fer - Latitude Encounter founder - had before starting the company and why focusing on marine conservation efforts is a fundamental part of Latitude. In the past years we’ve developed five different ways in which tourism can help in marine conservation efforts. Check them out below.
Data recollection: Sightings, entrapments, photo ID’s…A variety of data is collected when we are at sea and is shared with some of the following organizations: MMAPE (ORCAS), Mobula Conservation Project, Mexico Azul. This data allows for species identification, tracking of wildlife, net removals and much more.
Work with the local community: Working with local fishermen and boat captains allows for them to see a more diverse source of income, slowly stepping away from fishing to tourism. This experience will also help create a closer connection to wildlife and nature, soaking in our excitement on board and learning about the animals we encounter. The most important thing is to join efforts and make them realize their importance in conservation efforts.
3. Education on the water: Every ocean encounter is an educational opportunity. We firmly believe the more people see and learn about wildlife they come in contact with, the more they’ll feel compelled to take care of them. Education isn’t limited to the wildlife we encounter, but also the socioeconomic and conservation issues the area encounters.
4. Respectful Encounters: The safety of our customers and the wildlife we encounter is always a priority. Although excitement may be high, we always want to be respectful and aware of the space we share with animals. We are stepping into their environment, which means we do it with awareness and gratitude.
5. Scientists on board: Having marine biologists and conservation experts on board allows for them to be able to observe and record data on-site. This is also a great opportunity for customers to learn from the most knowledgeable experts in the area.
Want to learn more about how we take on this important task? Read more on our Citizen Science approach here.
