Shark cage diving operators offered longer tourism licences in SA
Shark cage diving operators will be offered longer licences in the hope it will boost their tourist ventures off Port Lincoln in South Australia.
The three licensed operators are to be offered 10-year tenure rather than five.
South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill said getting face-to-face with great white sharks had become a significant tourist drawcard for the state, as there had been 30 per cent growth over the past three years.
"The shark cage diving industry sustains 70 jobs, many of them from the local community, and last year generated more than $11 million for the state's economy," he said.
He said the longer licences would encourage operators to invest more in their businesses so more tourists would be able to enjoy the excitement.
"There couldn't be a more dramatic cut-through product than a white pointer coming up and sticking its nose right in your face," he said.
"That's what people from around the world are excited about, it's that experiential tourism which really captures their imagination."
Cage diving a 'no-go' for Weatherill
As for the Premier, he said he would not be venturing into a cage.
"I'm a politician so I swim with sharks every day," he laughed.
The licences also deal with issues such as berleying to attract the sharks and the number of days when diving is allowed.
SA Environment Minister Ian Hunter said a review of licences and their conditions two years ago considered the impact of shark cage diving on the great whites.
"Importantly, shark cage diving takes place in some of the state's newly-created marine park sanctuary zones, demonstrating that tourism and ecosystem protection can co-exist," he said.
Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said ecotourism was growing in global popularity and South Australia was well-placed for a share of that.
"If we can attract more visitors through great attractions like shark cage diving we'll be well on our way to achieving our goal of a tourism industry worth $8 billion by 2020," he said.
