MOSSEL BAY NEWS - It's whale watching season along the Garden Route and Southern Cape coast. In case residents have wondered what the rules are for whale watching by boat, Mossel Bay Advertiser contacted the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to confirm these rules.
National spokesperson for the DFFE Peter Mbelengwa noted that boats without permits are prohibited from approaching whales closer than 300 metres.
The following rules apply to boat owners with a permit:
General Prohibitions:
Approaching whales and dolphins at the distance below is regarded as "close contact":
- The vessel must be at least 25 metres from dolphins.
- The skipper must limit the duration of the close contact to a maximum of 20 minutes.
- The vessel must proceed at less than 10 knots, avoiding sudden changes of speed or direction when operating between 300m to 500m from whales.
- A vessel not authorised or permitted to approach whales and dolphins must remain not less than 300m away from such species.
While the distance may not be calculated with the eyes this, however, encourages those without a permit authorising close contact with whales
and dolphins, to stay a far distance away.
- More information can be accessed through the department's website: www.dffe.gov.za/permitsandlicenses.
Should people wish to report boats that are too close to dolphins or whales, they can call the Environmental Crime Hotline: 0800 205 005 or email envirocrime@dffe.gov.za.
Reporting must include details of the incidents and photographs of the contraventions.
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