Moral and empirical dimensions of human-animal interactions in ecotourism: deepening an otherwise shallow pool of debate

摘要

Although ecotourism is often theorised as a hard path and ecocentric, in the last decade such travel has softened to accommodate heightened demand in a growing number of regions, and the inclusion of other more consumptive types of activities. In light of these changes, we focus on the moral debate surrounding human-animal interactions in ecotourism, with particular attention to recreational angling and empirical studies on fish sentience. Based on these two parallel bodies of knowledge, we present a framework of Human Priorities and Actions in Recreational Interactions with Fish. This framework is a useful practical tool able to position the type of interaction (i.e. recreational angling) based on its consumptiveness and need, but also according to the broader context of a particular worldview (i.e. human-based versus nature-based) in association with four ethical characteristics.