1 PRESENTATION TO WILDLIFE FORUM ON REGULATIONS FOR THREATENED AND PROTECTED SPECIES AND HUNTING NORMS AND STANDARDS 08 NOVEMBER 2006

2 OVERVIEW OF COMMENTS Responses received s > 200 s > 200 Faxes = 83Faxes = 83 Posted responses = 99Posted responses = 99 Petitions = 1800 signatoriesPetitions = 1800 signatories

3 OVERVIEW OF COMMENTS CONT. Comments from farming community Most comments were in a form of petitions. These were noted and taken into the discussion document 1.Jackal, porcupine and caracal These species were listed as threatened and because currently they are considered as damage causing animals, farmers are concerned about livestock and crop losses. Proposed solution: They be removed from the list.

4 Farming community (cont’ed) 2 Prohibition and regulating of hunting of damage causing animals This is related to the three species mentioned earlier but these species including those escape from protected areas and are then considered as DCAs. Proposed solution: DEAT with provinces will continue to explore mechanism for management of damage causing animals

5 3. Objection to prohibition on hunting on World Heritage Sites Proposed solution : This be regulated in terms of Reg 45 of Protected Areas Act (NEMPAA): This is similar to provisions on hunting in National Parks that have contractual arrangements with communities as it places stricter conditions on permitting.

6 OVERVIEW OF COMMENTS CONT. Wildlife Industry 4Government not recognising private ownership of wildlife/ game by overregulation that impacts negatively on economic growth eg. by setting of national quotas). Proposed solution : –Introduction of the standing permit for land owners – gives them flexibility in managing their game; –Registering of game farms. Invoke sec 57.(legal) –Delisting of caracal, porcupine and jackal – Currently considered as common species in terms of provincial legislation

7 OVERVIEW OF COMMENTS CONT. Wildlife Industry cont. 5Prohibition of certain hunting methods Currently these methods are allowed as provided for in different Provincial Ordinances. Proposed solution: Reg 25 has been drafted to provide for allowing certain methods such as bow and arrow, dogs and traps under certain conditions; use of vehicles allowed under certain conditions.

8 OVERVIEW OF COMMENTS CONT. Wildlife Industry cont. 6Regulations do not cover wing-shooting activities Species hunted by this group not listed, i.e. not covered by Act 7Slow turn-around time for permits Matter discussed at the Wildlife Forum as a standing agenda item

9 OVERVIEW OF COMMENTS CONT. Provincial Authorities 8Prohibition of hunting in protected areas Proposed solution : This be regulated in terms of Reg 45 of Protected Areas Act (NEMPAA): This is similar to provisions on hunting in National Parks that have contractual arrangements with communities as it places stricter conditions on permitting 9Prohibition of hunting methods (fire arm calibre) Addressed in reg 25 – hunting methods

10 OVERVIEW OF COMMENTS CONT. 10Administrative burden of regulating Damage Causing Animals Proposed solution: Introduction of provisions for: –issuing of standing permit (reg. 5) –registration of game farms (reg. 43) 11Listing of jackal and caracal Proposed solution: They be removed from the list.

11 OVERVIEW OF COMMENTS CONT. Provincial Authorities and DEAT 12Inclusion of CITES species on the list of TOPS Definition of restricted activity in the Act covers a plethora of activities. Listing CITES species implies that SA will regulate all aspects including activities that were not intended to be regulated eg possession and transport of ALL CITES species including those that are alien to SA. This creates a lot of administrative burden on the issuing authorities who are the provinces and enforcement of these provisions will not be not practical.

12 OVERVIEW OF COMMENTS CONT. Provincial Authorities and DEAT 12 Inclusion of CITES species on the list of TOPS (ii) Proposed solution: Remove CITES species on current listRemove CITES species on current list Provide for enabling provision under NEMBA and/orProvide for enabling provision under NEMBA and/or Amend definition of restricted activityAmend definition of restricted activity Norms and standards should apply only to nationally listed species, not provincially listed speciesNorms and standards should apply only to nationally listed species, not provincially listed species

13 DEAT RECOMMENDATIONS. 1Setting of national hunting off-take. –Provide for Minister to make a determination on species for off-take by Gazette 2Introduction of ethical hunting –Section 16& 17 of the remaining draft norms and standards be incorporated and Gazetted in the most appropriate and legally defensible manner to provide for ethical hunting. 3Self regulation of hunting industry –DEAT initiates process to deal with hunting in the country – establishment of national hunting license for PHs.

14 CONCLUSION Most of the comments received were accepted and incorporated in the regulations. – The consequence of this acceptance is that from the draft norms and standards, only sections dealing with self-regulation which includes registration of organisations become the only remaining provisions in the N&S. The comments received on provisions in the published norms and standards dealing with prohibitions on hunting of large predators have been reworked and included in Reg 15