Pretoria - The Department of Environmental Affairs has postponed the allocation process for the Boat-Based Whale Watching (BBWW) and White Shark Cage Diving (WSCD) operating permits.
Accordingly, permits allocated in 2011 will be renewed for a further period of 12 months.
The department will towards the end of the year, (2016), commence with the allocation process by inviting applications for BBWW and WSCD operating permits.
The department will also hold stakeholder engagements on the policies and application requirements for these operating permits.
The date for stakeholder engagements will be published in due course.
In 2011, the department concluded the allocation process for BBWW and WSCD operating permits, 13 permits were issued for WSCD and 23 permits for BBWW.
“As one of the critical pillars of the Nine-Point Plan, Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy is considering activities involving non-consumptive use of marine resources to grow the ocean economy for all citizens in an inclusive society,” the department said on Sunday.
Therefore, through Boat-Based Whale Watching and White Shark Cage Diving, South Africa has the opportunity to boost this contribution considerably, leveraging its rich marine resources in a sustainable manner to boost both economic and social development. – SAnews.gov.za
