Whale shark tourism boosts village income in Indonesia

Villagers in Botubarani, a coastal area in the Bone Bolango Regency of Indonesia, have transitioned from fishing to tourism to serve visitors interested in whale sharks.

Ansar Lasimpala, a local boat operator, now uses a glass-hulled boat to take tourists near the world's largest fish species. This shift followed a 2016 viral video on Facebook that showcased a group of whale sharks appearing off the beach, turning the village into a destination for snorkeling and boat rentals.

The tourism boom has provided a new livelihood for roughly 80 villagers. Ansar Lasimpala reported that he now earns up to 3 million rupiah (US$167) a month, which is significantly higher than the 400,000 rupiah he earned as a fisherman. Local residents provide various services to international and domestic visitors, including drone use and diving services to facilitate interactions with the animals. Conservationists and officials are monitoring the impact of these activities on the endangered whale sharks.

While the village serves as a feeding ground for the fish throughout their life cycle, the group Konservasi Indonesia warned that constant feeding could disrupt natural behaviors and create health risks. To address these concerns, Sukirman Tilahunga of the fisheries ministry developed a solar-powered marine attractor to draw plankton and small fish to the area to provide a more natural food source.