Whale watching is one of the fastest growing sectors of South Africa's already fast-growing tourism industry, according to Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Rejoice Mabudafhasi.

Mabudafhasi was opening the first International Whale Watching Workshop at the Breakwater Lodge in Cape Town on Thursday, where delegates, mostly scientists and top conservation managers from 15 countries, are participating in formalising an international framework for whale watching. The workshop is set to end on March 9.

"Our policy regarding the utilisation of our whale resources is to reserve these exclusively for non-consumptive use, namely boat- and shore based whale watching," the Deputy Minister said. "Whale watching is one of the fastest growing global tourism sectors and is taking place in more than 70 countries. It has grown tremendously in South Africa, and it contributes largely to poverty eradication and job creation.

Conservation and upliftment
"Oceans and coasts are facing serious pressures because of degradation, overfishing and poor management, but globally oceans and coasts also have the potential to contribute to the improvement and upliftment of coastal communities. It is through the development of marine and coastal activities along coastal communities, such as whale watching, that conservation is integrated with economic and social needs," she added.

Also speaking at the conference, the British High Commissioner in South Africa, Ann Grant, indicated that whale watching is widely recognised as a truly sustainable way to utilise marine resources.

"This workshop will highlight the socio-economic benefits of sustainable ecotourism, and in particular whale watching. It will demonstrate that whale watching is much more profitable, and sustainable, than killing whales and that with full and effective involvement of local communities and if properly organised, regulated and managed, it can provide financial and other benefits to local people," she said.

Spread to rest of Africa
Mabudafhasi concluded by indicating that South Africa is in the process of preparing a proposal that will be handed over to the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), to identify, evaluate and develop whale watching and other marine and coastal ecotourism activities in Africa.

The project will be putting mechanisms in place to assist with the development, management and marketing of marine and coastal ecotourism.

It will also form a blueprint to build partnerships with developers, business entrepreneurs and tour operators from the developed world. South Africa believes that tourism, and specifically whale watching, is a medium that could boost the economy of developing countries.