Kanga
Retired Moderator
Have a look here Guys, Damn these guys are going A bit Far now.
Steve warren Posted in the Ecmaa thread as well, I thought more guys would see it here.
SA Scuba Mailing list! - http://lists.stormnet.co.za/cgi-bin/...pl?enter=scuba --- News release
For immediate release
Scuba divers rally to oppose diving ban
Western Cape, 11 December 2007: Scuba divers nationwide have rallied in response to proposed legislation to ban recreational diving in parts of the Eastern and Western Cape in a bid to curb abalone poaching.
A protest campaign is sweeping across cyberspace, urging divers and other supporters of recreational ocean use to voice their indignation at the proposed ban.
Monty Guest, chairman of diving NPO Underwater Africa says, "While we accept that abalone poaching is in critical need of addressing, the proposed ban to diving is highly unlikely to help. Recreational divers have nothing to do with poaching; and the legislation already in place is hopelessly poorly enforced. There's little point to further laws when the poachers don't see a risk."
Guest points to progressive bans that have failed to produce the desired results. "Recreational abalone diving was banned, with little or no effect. Divers were made to buy permits and night diving was banned: the list goes on but the fact remains that nothing has really changed."
The only possible outcome of the new legislation, says Guest, is the penalisation of divers and snorkelers. This group has been noted by the WWF as one of the ocean's most avid conservation supporters.
"The ban will remove the watchful eyes of divers from the ocean," says Guest, "and the knock on effect is immeasurable. Law abiding citizens, legitimate businesses and coastal communities will suffer; along with the wider tourism industry. It starts here, but where does it end?"
Underwater Africa is urging the public to voice their concerns by the cut-off date of 15 January. A petition can be found at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/420829084 . Letters of concern can be addressed to Risha Persad at the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Private Bag X2, Roggebaai, 8012 by registered mail; faxed to (021) 402 3009 or emailed to rpersad@deat.gov.za.
- Ends -
For further details or comment, contact:
Underwater Africa
Chairman: Monty Guest
Cell: 082 456 1982
E-mail: info@uwa.org.za
Steve warren Posted in the Ecmaa thread as well, I thought more guys would see it here.
SA Scuba Mailing list! - http://lists.stormnet.co.za/cgi-bin/...pl?enter=scuba --- News release
For immediate release
Scuba divers rally to oppose diving ban
Western Cape, 11 December 2007: Scuba divers nationwide have rallied in response to proposed legislation to ban recreational diving in parts of the Eastern and Western Cape in a bid to curb abalone poaching.
A protest campaign is sweeping across cyberspace, urging divers and other supporters of recreational ocean use to voice their indignation at the proposed ban.
Monty Guest, chairman of diving NPO Underwater Africa says, "While we accept that abalone poaching is in critical need of addressing, the proposed ban to diving is highly unlikely to help. Recreational divers have nothing to do with poaching; and the legislation already in place is hopelessly poorly enforced. There's little point to further laws when the poachers don't see a risk."
Guest points to progressive bans that have failed to produce the desired results. "Recreational abalone diving was banned, with little or no effect. Divers were made to buy permits and night diving was banned: the list goes on but the fact remains that nothing has really changed."
The only possible outcome of the new legislation, says Guest, is the penalisation of divers and snorkelers. This group has been noted by the WWF as one of the ocean's most avid conservation supporters.
"The ban will remove the watchful eyes of divers from the ocean," says Guest, "and the knock on effect is immeasurable. Law abiding citizens, legitimate businesses and coastal communities will suffer; along with the wider tourism industry. It starts here, but where does it end?"
Underwater Africa is urging the public to voice their concerns by the cut-off date of 15 January. A petition can be found at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/420829084 . Letters of concern can be addressed to Risha Persad at the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Private Bag X2, Roggebaai, 8012 by registered mail; faxed to (021) 402 3009 or emailed to rpersad@deat.gov.za.
- Ends -
For further details or comment, contact:
Underwater Africa
Chairman: Monty Guest
Cell: 082 456 1982
E-mail: info@uwa.org.za