ALREADY a popular pastime abroad, the whale-watching industry in South Africa is a growing trend and a "viable, sustainable tourism resource", but the industry may soon die out as soon as it's begun, if illegal whale-watching practices are not rooted out.
So cautions MTN Whale Route chairman, Greg Vogt, who says last month's opening of the whale-watching season has resulted in several sightings of the southern right whales.
"However, while this has probably been one of the most disciplined of all sectors in the tourism industry and everything is being done by all the players including the Marine Conservation Management (MCM), researchers and tour operators, we are falling down in our policing of illegal boat-based whale-watching activities."
He says the MTN Whale Route and MCM are constantly receiving reports that recreational vessels and certain commercial tourism vessels have been seen harassing whales and dolphins.
"The boat-based whale-watching regulations - which state, amongst others, that only licensed operators may come within 300 metres of a whale or dolphin - have been created in order to minimise the impact on the whales themselves."
Only twenty licences have been made available, with 12 having been issued, and Vogt says that passengers on a boat-based marine safari - as well as tour operators making boat-based bookings - have a responsibility to ensure that the operator is licensed.
"If an operator does not have a permit and comes within 300 metres of a whale reserve or if a whale surfaces within 300 metres of an unlicensed boat, both the passengers and the operators could be prosecuted."
(Adéle Mackenzie)
