Leader of the Opposition, Semisi Sika, has accused the current and former Ministers of Tourism of killing the whale watching industry in Vava’u.
Hon. Sika said the former Minister of Tourism, Etuate Lavulavu, approved more than 20 whale watching licenses before he was removed from office.
He said when he replaced Hon. Lavulavu he stopped his license policy and restricted the number of operators.
He said that when Akosita Lavulavu was appointed to the Tourism Ministry she revived the previous policy.
“But suddenly Akosita stopped it early this year and restricted the licensing again,” Hon. Sika said.
He claimed the sudden reversal of policy was because of the king’s concern about the situation.
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As Kaniva News reported last night, the whale watching industry has been in turmoil since the government revoked a number of licenses earlier this year.
The Tourism Ministry said the action was designed to protect the country’s humpback whales by reducing the number of people in contact with the animals each year.
Vava’u Tourism Association secretary Brenda Cox, whose company lost its license, said Akosita Lavulavu had pulled the licenses of six experienced operators and gave them to inexperienced new operators.
“If the Ministry of Tourism is concerned for conservation and sustainability, then why does the Minister state that her actions were based on the conservation of whales by reducing boat numbers?” Cox asked.
“She has revoked six license holders operating nine boats and replaced them with six new operators to operating 12 boats.
“This actually increases pressure on the whales.”
“I was on the board which helped draft the 2013 Whale Watch Regulations now in place.”
Vava’u’s whale watching industry is suffering from cancellations for the whale watching season which runs from June to October.
Neiafu town office Vava Lapota told Kaniva News the whale businesses had told him most of their customers had cancelled.
It has been estimated that Pacific Island economies have lost nearly $2 billion as the result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Tourist industries have been particularly badly hit.
Kaniva News has contacted the Lavulavus for comment.
The main points
- Leader of the Opposition, Semisi Sika, has accused the current and former Ministers of Tourism of killing the whale watching industry in Vava’u.
- Sika said the former Minister of Tourism, Etuate Lavulavu, approved more than 20 whale watching licenses before he was removed from office
