16 January 2006
On 4 June 2004, when four new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) namely Table
Mountain National Park, Bird Island, Pondoland and Aliwal Shoal were proclaimed
by the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk,
the respective Government Gazette (No. 26433 of 2004) stated a number of
statutory requirements, including the permitting of scuba diving within these
MPAs. It stated that (i) no person may scuba dive or attempt to scuba dive in
the Marine Protected Area except on the authority of a scuba diving permit;
(ii) no person may operate or attempt to operate a scuba diving business in the
Marine Protected Area except on the authority of a scuba diving commercial
permit.
Subsequently an exemption which allowed scuba divers to continue diving in
MPAs was issued. This exemption expired at the end of 2005 and therefore divers
now need a valid permit to scuba dive in these marine protected areas.
After finalisation of the permit structure, permits will be available at
Post Offices nationwide at a cost still to be determined. In the interim scuba
divers can apply to the Department for an exemption.
Applications should be addressed as follows:
Deputy Director-General: Marine and Coastal Management
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Attention: Risha Persad
Private Bag X2
Roggebaai
8012
For enquiries contact: Risha Persad
Tel: (021) 402 3537
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
16 January 2006
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (http://www.deat.gov.za/)
