Surfers can access any area without paying
Timoci Vula - Fiji Times
Thursday, July 08, 2010TOURIST and local surfers can, from Friday July 9 this year, access and use any surfing area in Fiji without having to pay or obtain permit or approval from any person.
The decree aims to encourage and promote Fiji as a premier surfing destination, promote surfing as a sport, maximise development and training of local talented surfers, and also for locals to engage more profitably in the surfing industry.
Head of the tourism ministry Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the decree had been gazetted following Cabinet's approval on June 30, and it prohibited any exclusive use of any surfing area by any person.
"Any person who obstructs or prevents any person from accessing or using any surfing area for surfing or for any water sport, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine and or imprisonment," Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said
He said previously, a number of surfing areas in Fiji were exclusively licensed to a couple of hotel operators, which deprived other tourists and Fijians access and use of these surfing areas.
He said numerous reports had been received of tourists and Fijian surfers being physically and violently harassed and assaulted for surfing at these exclusive surfing areas.
Responding to claims of a campaign by licence holders of current exclusive surf spots, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the free access and use of all surfing areas in Fiji to all tourists and Fijians provided an opportunity for all Fijians, including itaukei landowners in the proximity of these surfing areas, to profit directly and indirectly by way of engaging in businesses themselves.
"The surfing industry is a global USD$10 billion dollar business and Fiji is home to some world class breaks known throughout the surfing world. There is enormous worldwide interest in surfing in Fiji given the quality and range of surf breaks in Fiji," he said. "The Decree paves the way forward for all Fijians to now engage more profitably in the surfing industry as surf-tour operators, life savers, surfing-specialised hotels, backpacker resorts, and home stays."
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said with the opening up of surfing in Fiji, there could be an additional 20,000 surfing tourists visiting Fiji each year, given the present 10 million plus surfers worldwide.
Meanwhile, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said any people who use any surfing area in Fiji for surfing or any water sport was required to ensure all surfing areas were utilised in a sustainable and environment-friendly manner, and that no other activity including fishing would be allowed in those areas.
