Download PDF (2.5MB) - Anchor Environmental

5.12 What determines success
Based on the estimates made in this study, there was a wide range in the degree of success of
different operators. Indeed, success varied within most of the different regions, suggesting that
several factors must have been at play.
The frequency and types of whales sighted varied between the different areas, with the Cape Metro
and Agulhas Coast having the highest frequency, the Garden Route having relatively low frequency
but high diversity (except for Knysna), the Sunshine coast having high frequency and diversity, and
KZN having moderate frequency and low diversity (Figure 5.14). Turnover was not strongly related to
the frequency of whale sightings (Figure 5.15), nor directly to diversity, however, although these are
likely to have a positive influence, all other things being equal.
8.00
6.00
Other whales
Brydes
Humpback
Southern Right
Whales/trip
4.00
2.00
0.00
no
data
no
data
no
data
3 4 5 6 7 9 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 21 24
Areas
no
data
no
data
Figure 5.14. Average number of whales sighted per whale watching trip, based on logbook data.
Turnover (R millions)
4.50
4.00
3.50
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.50
0.00
0 2 4 6 8 10
Whales per trip
.
Figure 5.15. Relationship between turnover and average number of whale sightings per whale watching trip.
Apparently much more important than the resource itself was how it was marketed by the operator.
There was a significantly positive relationship between a permit holders’ expenditure on marketing of
boat-based whale watching and the turnover generated by this activity (Figure 5.16). This does not
include additional regional or national-level marketing by other bodies such as municipalities,
SATOUR or SABBWA. Note that there is actually a lag of up to three years between marketing and
turnover, and in some cases recent investment in marketing had not yet paid off.
29