The draft regulations were published in the Government Gazette in December 2007 for public comment.
The diving restrictions are to affect five areas of the coastline where the stock was most likely to recover, this includes Robben Island, Dyer Island and Bird Island and two coastal areas from Gansbaai to Quoin Point and at Cape Point.
According to a statement on Monday, 28 January 2008, Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said the areas were also assessed in terms of their importance to recreational users, in particular scuba divers and scuba diving businesses, spear fishers and recreational West Coast Rock Lobster fishers.
After considering the public's comments received during the public consultation process, a revised restriction on diving in certain areas will come into effect on 1 February.
This will coincide with the implementation of the emergency suspension of the abalone fishery.
Last year the department announced its intention to ban abalone fishing from 1 February 2008 to allow abalone stocks to recover.
Cabinet last year supported the recommendation to suspend the abalone fishing from 1 November, but the date was postponed to allow the industry to continue through December and January.
At the time of the announcement by the department, Minister Schalkwyk said there were currently 262 individual divers and 40 legal entities in the form of close corporations holding fishing rights and that accounts for 800 jobs.
Any person who wishes to undertake other activities, apart from abalone diving and fishing, can apply for a permit to engage in diving or be in possession of prohibited gear in the listed areas.
Such activities include; scientific research, white shark-cage diving, commercial kelp harvesting, sea ranching, salvage operations, maintenance of legal underwater infrastructure or any other activity authorised in terms of legislation.
Article published courtesy of BuaNews
