For Africa News: Allocation process for boat-based whale watching and white shark cage diving

Allocation process for boat-based whale watching and white shark cage diving operating permits to commence

14 Aug 2009

The Department of Environmental Affairs will commence with the application process for boat-based whale watching and shark cage diving operating permits on Thursday, 27 August 2009 as stipulated in the Government Gazette published on Friday, 14 August 2009.

The policies on Boat-Based Whale and Dolphin Watching and White Shark Cage Diving gazetted last year in 2008 are aimed at providing and improving regulatory and compliance frameworks in both sectors, growing both sectors through the allocation of a greater number of permits and transforming the industries.

Permits will be allocated under section 13 of the Marine Living Resources Act (MLRA) for a maximum period of one year. Successful permit holders will be re-allocated their permits each year for five years from the date of the first allocations, provided that they fully complied with permit conditions.

Boat-based whale watching will be permitted in 27 coastal areas which are Port Nolloth; Lamberts Bay; St Helena Bay; Saldanha Bay; Cape Town; Hout Bay; Kalk Bay; Gordons Bay; Hermanus; Kleinmond; Arniston; Struis Bay; Mossel Bay; Knysna; Plettenberg Bay; Cape St Francis; Port Elizabeth; Kenton on Sea; Port Alfred; East London; Kei--Umgazi Rivers; Umtanvuna rivers; Shelley Beach; Durban; Richards Bay; St Lucia and Sodwana Bay.

White shark cage diving will be limited to Seal Island in False Bay, Dyer Island in Gansbaai, Quoin Rock at Quoin Point, Seal Island in Mossel Bay and Algoa Bay in the Port Elizabeth area.

Applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable application fee of R8 249, 00 (eight thousand two hundred and forty nine rands).

All enquiries relating to the permit application process can be sent to bbww@deat.gov or wscd@deat.gov.za.

For more information on the registration and application process please refer to the Government Gazette of Friday 14 August 2009.

Enquiries:
Carol Moses
Cell: 082 829 3917
E-mail: cmoses@deat.gov.za

Source: Department of Environmental Affairs (http://www.deat.gov.za/)

Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs
14 Aug 2009

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