Thursday, May 17, 2012

DEA's Report to the Western Cape Legislature on White Shark Research

On 15 May 2012, the Department of Environmental Affairs delivered a report on its white shark research capabilities, budgets and capacity to the Western Cape legislature (Standing Committees on Environmental Planning and Community Safety). The interrogation of DEA's research technics and abilities was prompted by the recent uproar against the issuing of "research" permits to the controversial Ocearch fisheries project and the fatal shark attack at Koggel Bay. 

DEA's presentation, led by Monde Mayekiso, Alan Boyd, Hermann Oosthuizen and Mike Meyer was thorough and impressive and clarified much. DEA's has a paltry R2 million white shark research budget and 1 dedicated research scientist. It was however noted that DEA relied on a network of research professionals in South Africa and abroad to enable it to deliver on its mandate. 

The joint standing committee concluded that it was their view that DEA required an increased white shark research budget and that the department ought to re-evaluate the manner in which it communicated with the white shark cage diving industry and the broader community on white shark research and activity.

The DEA was also requested by Mariette Hopley, chairperson of the Great White Shark Protection Foundation, to work more closely with the foundation and the white shark cage diving industry. 

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