Scuba diving & snorkeling banned in certain areas

Environmental Affairs Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk has imposed a ban on scuba diving and snorkeling in certain areas along the Cape Coast. This is in a further effort to protect South Africa's fast-diminishing perlemoen stocks. The prohibition will take effect from February 1.

The ban comes in the wake of the suspension of commercial perlemoen fishing, which is set to start on the same date.

According to a statement issued by the department the areas in which diving will be prohibited include: within the Bird Island Marine Protected Area; from Quoin Point to Danger Point, extending from the west bank of the Ratel River to the eastern boundary of Gansbaai Harbour's main breakwater wall, and extending two nautical miles seaward from the high watermark; around Dyer Island, extending one nautical mile from the high watermark, from Venus Pool to Olifantsbos on the Cape Peninsula, extending two nautical miles seaward from the high watermark and around Robben Island, extending one nautical mile from the high watermark.

Draft legislation on the prohibition was published in the Government Gazette on Monday. Scott said interested parties had until 4pm on January 15 next year to comment on the matter. - Sapa