SA practises hailed as whale summit begins
SOUTH Africa is a “world leader” when it comes to responsible whale watching.
This is according to chief executive of the World Cetacean Alliance Dylan Walker, who arrived in Durban on Thursday, along with marine scientists and researchers, tourism operators and non-profit organisation representatives from around the globe for the first World Whale Conference to be held in Africa from today until Thursday.
Speaking to the The Independent on Saturday yesterday, Walker said: “South Africa is recognised as one of the world’s responsible whale-watching destinations. It’s a world leader, and in terms of regulation and legislation, it is second to none.
“When Durban bid to host the conference, I came out last year to have a look. Durban and KwaZulu-Natal are expanding their whale tourism and it is very well managed.
“There are many places where legislation with regard to whale watching is not being followed or it just doesn’t exist,” said Walker.
With the focus being on responsible whale watching, part of the conference will also include the Whale Heritage Site Summit, which will look at case studies of possible sites around the world and identifying a list of potential sites in Africa.
“Accreditation is only given where there are the very highest standards of whale watching, with community education and engagement, as well as visitor learning, being required.
“South Africa is hot on equality and sustainability, which are reflected in the whale-watching industry, with community engagement high on the agenda,” he said, adding that with 2009 global figures on whale-watching tourism revenue reported at $2.1billion (R27bn), demand for eco-tourism had continued to grow.
Conference delegates from around the world continued to arrive yesterday. Hawaii-based David Schofield, who is with the US National Marine Fisheries, is looking forward to networking, as well as giving a presentation at the conference on stranding and rehabilitation.
Having worked with marine mammals for close to 30 years, Schofield said the international conference provided a better understanding of global issues in the industry.
Another US delegate, Patricia Sullivan, director of the Cetacean Society International, will provide some innovative fun at the first “Welcoming of the Whales Festival” with South Durban Tourism at Anstey’s Beach on the Bluff today. Last night, Department of Environmental Affairs spokesperson Zolile Nqayi confirmed that department scientists and management officials would attend the conference, saying: “Whale-targeted tourism is one of the big contributors to the SA economy, especially in the coastal provinces.”
He said South Africa had responsible whale and dolphin protocols.
Commenting on the possible impact on whales and dolphins through offshore seismic surveys and drilling, concerns which have been raised in recent media reports, Nqayi said: “The main concern currently is not offshore drilling, but the seismic surveys that locate potential deposits of oil and gas and precede drilling.
“These matters are considered by both the department and the Petroleum Agency of SA to avoid seismic surveys being undertaken during key migration periods of whales in particular.”
With reports of sardines off Isipingo Beach on Thursday as the annual Sardine Run arrived along Durban’s coastline, Nqayi said eco-filming of the unique event off Port St Johns was regulated by the department, and “is worth tens millions of rands annually”.
A world leader, and in terms of regulation and legislation, it is second to none Dylan Walker