CAPE TOWN, South Africa (17 Jan 2006) -- The government of South Africa has announced that scuba divers must renew exemptions that allowed them to continue diving in marine protected areas (MPAs) in 2005. Divers must reapply for permits to the Department of Environmental Affairs. On June, 4, 2004, South Africa established four new MPAs including Table Mountain National Park, Bird Island, Pondoland and Aliwal Shoal. To protect fragile marine ecosystems from poachers and minimize damage caused by scuba divers, the government established regulations stating 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. | | Although the permit procedure and diver fees have not been decided, scuba divers must apply for an exemption to diver in the MPAs. After the government has finalized the permit procedure and fees, permits will be available at post offices throughout South Africa. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
