Together, the businesses in Cape Whale Coast area employ many men and women in decent jobs, while having a positive impact on their host communities, their culture, livelihoods and economic development. Through the provision of tangible economic benefits derived from tourism, a significant part of the Fynbos coastal flora is conserved. Income generated through tourism and donations paid by tourist’s finances the protection of one of the last habitats of the endangered African Penguin. Tourism income also provides the means for researching a marine ecosystem, which is highly frequented by several species of sharks, whales and seabirds. Blue Flag certifications ensure that the whale and shark watching vessels are operated according to international standards that seek to minimize harm done to marine biodiversity and the marine ecosystem in which they operate. The companies’ whole ethos is based on conservation and protection of the environment and the believe that “Your Choice Makes a Difference”, encouraging tourists to choose wisely.
Today’s achievements of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) would have been impossible without Wilfred Chivell, the visionary behind the successful companies Dyer Island Cruises and Marine Dynamics. When South Africa’s financial crisis of 1998 destroyed the five concrete companies that Wilfred owned at the time, he not only decided to turn his passion for Marine Life into a profession, but also to reinvest as much as his new company would allow him to in into conservation. He started a whale watching company in 1999 called Dyer Island Cruises with just a rubber dinghy. He then purchased a shark cage diving company in 2005 called Marine Dynamics and has since changed much in an industry that could be used purely for financial gain. Finally, Wilfred’s concern for nature and especially that of the fast declining African penguin saw him founding the DICT in 2006. He created the ‘Faces of Need’ housing project for this flightless and vulnerable bird and initiated two penguin conferences, in order to push for the African Penguin to be listed as endangered and mobilize funding for its protection.
Soon after. Wilfred is changing the way the shark cage diving industry is viewed and enjoys support of other conservation organisations. He has structured a business model that not only creates employment but also benefits the environment and is aimed at protecting the marine heritage. Every day funds are raised from clients visiting the companies and this supports the work of the Trust. Wilfred’s companies support the Trust in various ways, ultimately contributing a R1million towards research and conservation – three marine biologists have been supported in completing their Master’s degrees. Marine Dynamics also started an international marine volunteer program where participants can learn even more about the great white shark and other species through a series of dedicated lectures. These students become ambassadors for great white sharks when they leave and the more people changing the perception of this misunderstood predator the better its chances of future survival.
Together with his partner, Michael Lutzeyer, owner of Grootbos and founder of the Grootbos Foundation, DICT and the Grootbos Foundation stand at the forefront of research and conservation of marine biodiversity and the coastal ecosystem of the Fynbos along the Cape Whale Coast.
Are there plans to further improve your example of tourism supporting conservation in the future?
Lessons learned by FTT and DICT include that while the Trust has been instrumental in raising the profile of this incredible marine area, none of the conservation, research and education work that the Trust does would have been possible without successful commercial businesses. For example, the daily data capturing and observations of marine animals and seabirds have been instrumental in conclusions with regards to their behavior – and have led to important scientific publications such as wound healing in great white sharks and a population study of this threatened species Funds toward the Trust are also raised by the companies, daily ensuring the financial stability of the Trust. The Trust aims to protect the marine heritage and with this support was able to submit a letter of concern regarding the proposed nuclear power plant at Bantamsklip, just over 22 km from their head office (March 2010). Bantamsklip is one of the three preferred sites earmarked by government for the construction of the power plant based on the wealth of its own research findings and local knowledge was able to point out critical flaws in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed power plant. Most importantly the University of Pretoria will in future be consulted regarding the species of this area and any possible monitoring programs.
- See more at: http://www.ltandc.org/cape-whale-coast/#sthash.FDDLdfUM.dpuf
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