Annabelle Cranswick: Valuing the Gulf beyond economics: The social and cultural value of large marine predators

<p dir="ltr">Globally, marine ecosystems provide 65% of all ecosystem goods and services, of which humans are dependent on. The Hauraki Gulf is home to an array of large marine predators (cetaceans, rays, seabirds), which provision numerous ecosystem services of economic, ecological, cultural, and social importance. Yet, the Gulf is highly vulnerable and rapidly degrading due to climate and anthropogenic pressures. Large marine predators are often indicators of ecosystem health, so understanding shifts in their distribution is important for ecological monitoring and valuing the Gulf. Though the social and cultural value of these species is often underrecognised during valuations, which are typically economically focused. Here, I will assess the value of large marine predators within the Gulf, encompassing not only economic and ecological indices but also social and cultural perspectives. The spatial overlap of a species’ distribution and these indices will identify vulnerable species or habitats, helping to inform management priorities.</p>