Permits Will Be Required For Boat-based Whale Watching and Shark Cage Diving in SA
by Admin on Aug.25, 2009, under Conservation, News
The regulating of whale watching and shark cage diving businesses will begin this month. The Environmental Affairs Department has said it will begin issuing permits in accordance with the two boat-based activities gazetted last year.
A fee of R8 249 which will be required with each application will be non-refundable.
Under section 13 of the Marine Living Resources Act, the permits will be allocated for a maximum period of one year and re-allocated each year for five years from the date of the initial allocation.
“(The policies) are aimed at providing and improving regulatory and compliance frameworks in each sector, growing both sectors through the allocation of a greater number of permits and transforming the industries.”
White shark cage diving will be restricted to Seal Island in False Bay, Dyer Island in Gansbaai, Quoin Rock at Quoin Point, Seal Island in Mossel Bay and Algoa Bay while boat-based whale watching will be allowed in 27 different coastal areas.