Gatekeepers Permission request letter

Prof Syden Mishi

Nelson Mandela University
University Way
Summerstrand
Port Elizabeth

12 April 2022

Dear sir,

RE.: REQUEST TO ENTER MUNICIPALITY FOR THE PURPOSES OF

CONDUCTING STUDY ON “SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT ON COMMERCIAL
MARINE NON-CONSUMPTIVE ACTIVITIES IN SOUTH AFRICA”

Ethical clearance Number:

We are interested in asking businesses, communities, and operators in “Shark Diving and Boat-
Based Whale Watching” within this municipality some questions related to the above study title.
We aim to reach all three players who are directly or indirectly impacted by the operations in the
tourism sector.

The purpose of the study is to assess how Shark Diving and Boat-Based Whale Watching have
changed over time, confirming their economic growth (if any) as well as the significance of the
sectors to South Africa. Understanding the socio-economic aspects of the two sectors is set to
provide information that will assist in effective and adaptive management of the sector
particularly with the decline of Great White sightings between 2016 and 2018 taking a heavy toll
on Shark Diving operations and tourism operations halted by the impact of the COVID-19
pandemic due to the lockdown and travel restrictions that were imposed.

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We hope the study will help us understand the socio-economic impact of the two offerings in
your municipality and help guide policymakers to come up with solutions that can support
businesses, and community to ensure the sustainability of the sector.

We want you to know that the responses to anonymous surveys are confidential and that they
cannot be traced back to the respondent. Unless they voluntarily include personal or contact
information in any of the comment fields, no personally identifiable information is collected.
Furthermore, the responses will be aggregated and summarised in a report to preserve privacy.

The study involves the following:

 -A digital questionnaire that will be distributed to participants by means of an online link

for the business establishments around areas with Shark Diving and Boat Based Whale
Watching.
 The study will also undertake physical surveys for the community, tourists, and operators
of Shark Diving and Boat-Based Whale Watching.

We kindly request your written permission. Our contact details: Call or e-mail Prof Syden Mishi,
email: Syden.Mishi@mandela.ac.za, or 041 504 4607/ 073 534 5182 if you have questions about this
study. If you have questions or concerns about the rights of your community in this research study,
you may contact Nelson Mandela University Research Management office Email:
RD@mandela.ac.za or the Ethics Committee at reseachethics@mandela.ac.za

Approved by………………. Signature: …………….Date: …………………

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