www.tourism.sa.gov.au
Great White Shark Cage Diving
Iconic tourism experience for South Australia Helping to establish Port Lincoln, Eyre Peninsula and South Australia as one of Australia’s premier nature based tourism destinations Over 10,000 visitors in 2015/16 (64% domestic, 36% international) Generated economic expenditure of $12.8 million Supports an estimated 80 jobs in the local economy Helps to drive economic growth espoused in South Australia’s Nature Based Tourism Strategy “Nature Like Nowhere Else” Neptune Island (Ron and Valerie Taylor) Marine Park
Neptune Islands are only place in Australia where experience is available
60 – 70 km south of Port Lincoln Two Islands - highly protected Conservation Park Marine Park North Neptune Sanctuary Zone Colonies of Australian fur seal, long-nosed fur seal, Australian sea-lion White shark aggregation area Commercial Tour Operator licences required South Australia’s Marine Parks Great White Sharks
Listed as Vulnerable on IUCN Red list
Listed as Vulnerable and Migratory under Federal EPBC Act
Aust Government Recovery Plan for the White Shark (2013)
Protected species under SA Fisheries Management Act
Obligation to support recovery, protect sharks, improve knowledge SA Government Tour operators Cage Diving Tours
Pioneered by Rodney Fox in 1960s
Other businesses and several locations in 1980s and 1990s
Following shark attacks in early 2000s, tours restricted to Neptune Islands
Currently three tour operators
All have different operating models Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions
Multi- day trips (2 – 5 nights)
77 foot Princess 2
Six guest cabins
Surface cage and ocean floor cage
Permission to use fish attractants
Fox Shark Research Foundation Calypso Star Charters
Single day trips
60 foot MV Calypso Star
Max 25 guests per trip
Twilight tours
Permission to use fish attractants
Sea lion tours
Support research Adventure Bay Charters
Single day trips
53 ft Shark Warrior
Max 27 guests per trip
Aqua Sub – glass underwater viewing
Use acoustic attractant (music)
Sea lion tours
Support research Cage Diving Tours
Significant growth in consumer demand Two operators in the 2000’s (Rodney Fox and Calypso) Approx. 110 activity days in 2000 to 260 days in 2011 Third operator commenced in 2011 (Adventure Bay) Operators had one year licences – greater certainty needed CSIRO monitoring – increase in average shark residency at North Neptune 11 days in 2001/02 to 21 days in 2010/11 No evidence change has been harmful Cage Diving Tours
Review of policy in 2012 Safeguard industry by protecting against further behavioural changes Input from tour operators, government departments, white shark scientists, Federal department Cap or reduce the level of attraction Three operators only Two operators can use fish attractants Activity days capped at 2011 levels EOI process to allocate licences Five year licences (expire 30 June 2017) Cage Diving Tours
Consumer demand continues to grow 10,000+ visitors in 2015/16 Greater understanding of the economic value of the industry Greater certainty for future of the industry Government has announced ten year licences will be offered Revision of policy that underpins how licences will operate Input from tour operators, government departments, white shark scientists, Federal department Ten year licences recently offered White Shark Tour Licensing Policy
Location Neptune Islands only Contingency plans allowed for Number of Licences Remains at three, issued to current licence holders Transfer of licences With approval of the Minister Licence term Ten years each Number of vessels in operation One vessel each at any given time White Shark Tour Licensing Policy Number of Activity days Safeguards activity free days Use of fish attractants Two operators Limits on amounts of berley and baits (no feeding) Industry code of practice Streamlined approval process Use of acoustic attractants No impact on visitor experiences Industry code of practice White Shark Tour Licensing Policy Adaptive Management Ongoing monitoring of shark residency times Compared against 2001/02 figures (11 days) ‘Target range’ – desirable ‘Response range’ – significant increase in shark residency ‘Caution range’ – between target and response ranges Ability to adjust restrictions Activity days Fish based attractant White Shark Tour Licensing Policy
Decision points in relation to the normal distribution curve for 2001-02 white shark residency duration data at North Neptune Islands Benefits
Greater certainty for the operators, consumers, government and community
Demonstrates commitment to responsible and sustainable management
Provides an ongoing framework for monitoring and compliance
Understanding of the economic contribution
Increases the appeal to consumers
Opportunity for South Australia to be a leader in nature-based tourism
Presented by:
David Lake Manager Planning & Special Projects South Australian Tourism Commission Phone: 08 8463 4551 Email: [email protected]
www.southaustralia.com www.environment.sa.gov.au www.parks.sa.gov.au