Welcome to UWA
The Underwater Africa website has
been stagnant for some time, but we are working behind the scenes
to get it updated and improved. Due to overwhelming response at the
Dive Expo 2008, we have provided this site in the interim to inform
and educate recreational divers in South Africa about legislation
which affects diving as a sport and the associated industry, and
how to get involved. Read our introduction here.
Marine Protected Areas
The Marine Living Resources Act
(MLRA) empowers the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
to create Marine Protected Areas. While the goals of conservation
and promoting eco-tourism are noble, all is not well. More
information on this will return to the site soon.
Scuba Permit Conditions
In 2004 the Government declared four
new Marine Protected Areas, and included in the regulations the
requirement for all recreational divers and dive businesses
operating in these areas to have permits. According to the
regulations, the permits will have conditions. More information on
this will return to the site soon.
Our strategy
We maintain that:
- The regulations will not aid
conservation;
- The regulations will hurt the
scuba diving as a sport and as an industry;
- The regulations were implemented
without proper consultation and without consideration for the laws
of our country.