The Great White Shark stands as one of the ocean’s most recognized apex predators, yet determining its worth is complicated by its status as a highly protected species globally. Since 2004, the animal has been listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which strictly regulates international commerce in its parts. This protection means there is no legal commercial market price for a whole Great White Shark. Instead, its value is calculated across three distinct, contrasting spheres: the sustainable revenue generated by its presence, the illicit prices commanded by its body parts, and its non-monetary worth to marine science and ecosystem stability.
The Ecotourism Economy
The greatest quantifiable and legal value of a Great White Shark comes from its ability to generate sustainable revenue year after year through ecotourism. The presence of these sharks in specific coastal regions creates a powerful economic incentive for their protection, often making a live shark financially more valuable than a dead one. The primary industry centered on the species is cage diving, which draws tourists and their spending to remote locations around the world.
In South Africa, the white shark cage diving industry was valued at approximately US\(4.2 million annually. This revenue extends far beyond the tour operators, supporting local infrastructure such as accommodation providers, restaurants, and transportation services. A single, frequently sighted Great White Shark in the South African ecotourism sector has been estimated to generate up to R29,000,000 (about US\)1.6 million) over its lifespan.
This continuous revenue contrasts sharply with the one-time, low-value profit of a dead shark, which might only fetch around R1,000 (about US$55) for its meat and fins in a legal fishery. The white shark cage-diving industry off Port Lincoln, South Australia, contributed a significant $7.8 million in direct expenditure to the regional economy in a single year. These figures highlight how the sharks’ existence supports thousands of jobs and provides substantial tax revenue, transforming a conservation issue into an economic opportunity. The long-term spending by tourists establishes the live shark as a renewable economic asset.
The Illegal Trade of Shark Parts
While CITES protection strictly limits the legal trade, a black market exists for specific, highly prized Great White Shark body parts. The high demand from collectors and the animal’s protected status drive the illegal price for these items, which are often sold as trophies or jewelry. The most sought-after items are the teeth and full sets of jaws, which are difficult to acquire and carry a certain illicit prestige.
A single modern Great White Shark tooth can be sold illegally for over $1,000, depending on its size and condition. Since a full-grown shark possesses multiple rows of teeth, the total value of all teeth from a single animal can exceed $20,000 on the black market. Complete jaw sets, which are rarer and more difficult to process and smuggle, command even higher prices among private collectors.
The temptation for illegal fishing is significant because these parts offer a massive, instant financial gain compared to the minimal legal profit from fishing. This illicit, one-time sale value is a direct threat to the species, as it incentivizes poaching and undermines the long-term, sustainable economic benefits of ecotourism. The market for modern shark parts is distinct from the legal trade in fossilized teeth.
Value to Scientific Advancement
Beyond any monetary calculation, the Great White Shark holds a non-financial worth rooted in its foundational role in marine ecology and its contribution to scientific knowledge. As an apex predator, the shark influences the entire structure of the ocean food web through a trophic cascade. By regulating the populations of seals, sea lions, and other mid-level predators, they prevent overgrazing and help maintain the health of habitats like kelp forests and seagrass beds.
This regulatory function ensures greater biodiversity and the resilience of ocean ecosystems. Ongoing research into the sharkâs biology provides valuable data for conservation management and policy creation. Scientists use tracking data to understand migration patterns and population health, which informs the establishment of marine protected areas.
The species also offers unique insights into biological processes that can benefit human medicine. Studies of Great White Shark physiology have looked into their remarkable wound-healing capacity and immune system properties. Researchers have explored shark tissue for potential applications as anticoagulants and antibacterials, suggesting a future value in biomedical science.