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Permitted activity
There is a permit holder for Area 21. In this operation, boat-based whale watching is currently
considered a secondary activity, with whale watching trips estimated to contribute about 30% of
annual income to the overall boat-based business. It should be noted that although these trips were
referred to as “whale watching” and the majority occurred during whale watching season (June-
September/October), dolphins were more commonly seen and were claimed to be a greater attraction
to clients largely due their higher visibility from the beach. This is supported by an analysis of 2001
logbook data by Zandburg (2003). Boat-based whale watching itself was seen largely as a secondary
supporting income to trips based more on adventure activities and dolphin-viewing.
An application was apparently made for Area 20 in 2004 by a previously disadvantaged owner of a
local fishing and pleasure charter who had been active in the area for the past 21 years. The
application was supported by the existing permit holder in Area 21. No response was ever received
on this application and its current status is unknown. This potential applicant viewed whale watching,
and pleasure boat trips as a having a good chance of success due to the recent upgrading of facilities
around the launch site at Ramsgate but was unwilling to participate in illegal activities. There is thus
also concern about an apparent lack of transparency in the allocation of permits.
Non-permitted activity
Nine seasonally-active non-permitted operators were identified in Area 21. These operators are
typically fishing charters with varying degrees of dependence on sightseeing trips, ranging from
opportunistic trips scheduled around quiet periods in fishing activity to more actively marketed
pleasure trips. At least four of these marketed pleasure trips, with at least two actively advertising,
through brochures or signage, the potential for whale-sightings. The importance of pleasure trips to
overall annual income appears minimal, with whale watching representing a largely incidental activity
during the season. The main demand appears to be for dolphin-viewing and scenic trips and not
specifically for whale-viewing, although the potential for seeing whales is likely to add some attraction.
Only one operator expressed any interest in potentially applying for a permit and could be described
as the most active pleasure trip operator.
In the northernmost part of Area 20, within KZN, at least two active non-permitted operators were
identified. This does not include the above-mentioned permit applicant, who would only be interested
in pursuing this activity if permission were granted. All operators interviewed expressed an interest in
applying for the permit. The active operator currently offered pleasure trips with “incidental” whale
sightings in season, but indicated that a large scope existed for marketing whale watching in the area.
As with other non-permitted operators in the region, fishing charters were the main boat-based
income-generating activity, although pleasure trips were more important during high seasons linked to
South African holiday periods in April, December and July. The non-permitted operator in the area
also indicated their potential interest in applying for a permit should sufficient success be shown by
his business in offering various trips. The whale watching season was described as April to August in
Area 20.
Apart from reporting of non-permitted activity by the permit holder around the Shelly Beach area, no
policing of regulations pertaining to boat-based whale watching was made along this stretch of coast
and has allowed the development of numerous opportunistic and increasingly brazen non-permitted
operators. As with the remainder of non-permitted activity in the country, it is extremely difficult to
separate pleasure trip operators from legitimate (or illegitimate) boat-based whale watching operators
where whale watching represents the main aim and a major part of the marketing for the trip. This is
exacerbated by many operators claiming that dolphins, and not whales, were the main attraction on
tours. As with many such claims, these could not be verified as research was conducted outside of
the main whale watching season. Blatant advertising for whale-viewing, in the form of permanent wall
murals as well as various pamphlets were viewed and support reports by the permit holder that
whales probably play more of a role than most non-permitted operators will admit.
Equipment and infrastructure
The lack of appropriate mooring or harbour facilities in the region forces all operators to employ a
surf-launch in order to access the ocean. This results in the majority of boats being limited to a
maximum capacity of 12 passengers, including crew, severely restricting the ability of permit holders
to cater to demand and thus adding one more factor which aids the proliferation of non-permitted
activity. The lack of facilities at launching areas extends to a lack of appropriate central areas where
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