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MANAGEMENT OF NONCONSUMPTIVE USE OF MARINE SPECIES & MARINE PROTECTED AREAS Oceans and Coasts BACKGROUND • Non-consumptive use of marine resources is a responsible use of natural resources for recreation; • This includes activities such as boat-based whale and dolphin watching, white shark cage diving/viewing, SCUBA Diving and (filming for commercial purposes); • These activities not only provide an adventurous experience for the but also an educational experience to encourage conservation of species. • These activities also contribute to wildlife (eco) tourism, local economic development & job creation; • Thus, existence of MPAs create an enabling environment to advance these activities. PURPOSE OF NON-CONSUMPTIVE USE OF MARINE SPECIES • To encourage sustainable utilization of natural resources that contributes to socio and economic aspects in specific areas; • Promotes the biodiversity of South African marine resources for education and possibly tourism purposes • To minimize biodiversity degradation to maintain the protection of species/ecosystems; • To encourage expedition/ operations to be done according to the relevant best practices, legislation and policies. Marine Protected Area Management Strategic Focus: “ To protect marine coastal and system, habitat and species.” ) LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT TO NONCONSUMPTIVE USE OF MARINE SPECIES • Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act No 18 of 1998): – Regulations on White Shark Cage Diving (GN R724 OF 4 July 2008). – Regulations on Boat-Based Whale and Dolphin Watching and the Protection of Turtles (GN R725 in GG 31212 of 4 July 2008). • Seabirds and Seal Protection Act, 1973 (Act No. 46 of 1973) • National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (2004): TOPS Regulations 2007; • National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (2003) applicable to specific Marine Protected Areas. SCUBA Diving • SCUBA diving has become a very popular form of marine tourism in many areas of South Africa. • The geography of SCUBA diving extends further than the coastal margins to underwater canyons and cold water reefs far offshore. • Recognized as a multimillion dollar sector, this is an activity that may offer an economic value to the South African local communities, as dive tourists are known for high spending. • Potential to be maximized while encouraging job creation and scares skills transfer. • Popular diving MPAs: Sodwana Bay, Aliwal Shoal, Pondoland, Table Mountain National Park; Hluleka, De Hoop MPAs Boat-based whale watching BOAT BASED WHALE WATCHING • Benefits from the high diversity and accessibility of cetaceans (i.e. Southern Right, Humpback and Bryde’s whales and dolphins) and other marine attractions. • Popular BBWW: Sodwana Bay, Table Mountain National Park, Walkerbay Whale Sanctuary, Tsitsikamma & De Hoop MPAs; • Also occurs outside Marine Protected Areas; • Managed by limiting number of boats approaching a cetacean or pod of cetaceans, limiting the duration and number of encounters per group of cetaceans per day, approach distances & speeds. WHITE SHARK CAGE DIVING occurs in areas where the species naturally aggregates focused around seal colonies. FILMING FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSE • Provides an opportunity to showcase the successful implementation of the diverse models and legislation of environmental conservation; • Contributes to the effective communication of the value and importance of our ecosystem, the threats to their sustainability, and the actions needed to protect them; • Contributes to data collection for decision makings as well as for raising awareness; • Mainly by international companies collaborating with local productions; • Videos: FILMING FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSE WAY FORWARD • Need to educate the public about permitted uses as MPAs are a common mechanism to accomplish conservation objectives while still allowing economic benefits; • Continue to prioritize natural resource protection & support Government priority initiatives; • Encourage sustainable use in areas previously identified by scientific methods; • Promote inclusive participation in the activities involving nonconsumptive use of marine resources to advance the B-BBEE Act. • Tiger Shark MAIN • Great White Shark DIVE SPECIES • Ragged Tooth Shark • Reefs MAIN VIEWING SPECIES • Dolphins • Whales • Seals • Penguins VESSELS BASED ACTIVITIES