Sharks are worth more alive than dead

New research shows the ocean predators draw a healthy chunk of the tourist dollar. WWF Australia

spokesman Nick Heath says shark tourism is on the rise but shark numbers are declining, with

estimates placing reef shark populations at a third to 12% of their original size in some parts of the

Great Barrier Reef.

"We must do more to protect these top predators from disappearing on our watch, if not for the

benefit of the environment, then at least for the benefit of the back pocket," Mr Heath said.