Industry Request for Alternative Shark Cage Diving Sites in South Australia
Media Release
Government of South Australia
Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources
02. April 2015
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State Government to consider alternatives sites for shark cage diving
The State Government is continuing to work with the shark cage diving industry following an industry request to operate at sites other than the Neptune Islands Conservation Park.
This follows the attack of a great white shark by a group of killer whales at the Neptune Islands in early February.
Since that time great white sharks have not been sighted in the region and shark cage diving has not been feasible.
The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR), along with other government agencies and shark researchers, met with industry operators recently in Port Lincoln to discuss this issue and other industry matters.
DEWNR Marine Parks manager Chris Thomas said the State Government has agreed to consider the industry’s alternate site proposal following stakeholder and community consultation.
“DEWNR is assisting the industry by heldiving to facilitate the stakeholder and community consultation process,” Mr Thomas said.
“Letters will be sent to key stakeholders and community members in the coming days seeking their views on the industry proposal.
“The State Government and the industry are committed to a thorough consultation process which will be completed as soon as practicable.
“Stakeholders and members of the community will have until 5pm on April 10 to provide comment on the industry proposal.
“The State Government and industry will continue to work closely to ensure the long-term sustainability of this emerging nature-based tourism industry which currently generates approximately $11.3 million a year for the local economy and supports around 70 jobs.”
On 1 July the three industry operators will be issued with 10-year licences, and these new licences may include access to alternative great white shark cage diving sites.
The alternative sites being suggested by industry operators include Dangerous Reef, Greenly Island, Williams Island, Liguanea Island, Pearsons Island, Four Hummocks Islands, Perforated Island, Sir Joseph Banks Group, Sibsy Island, Sir Joseph Banks Group, English Island, Price Island, Buffalo Reef, St Francis Island Group, Massilion Island, St Francis Island and The Pages.
For further information, please contact:
Marine Park enquiries
Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources
Phone: (08) 8124 4900
Freecall: 1800 006 120
Source: DEWNR
Related Documents ( PDFs ) :
- Shark cage diving industry proposal for alternative locations
- Map of proposed alternative locations for shark cage diving
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