THE OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE OF NEMBA Presentation to the Portfolio Committee 20 June 2006

2 BACKGROUND ESSENCE OF THREATENED AND PROTECTED SPECIES REGULATIONS ESSENCE OF HUNTING NORMS AND STANDARDS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WAY FORWARD AREAS OF DISCUSSION

3 BACKGROUND Over the years there has not been a national system to regulate management and sustainable use of protected species This resulted in promulgation of Biodiversity Act in 2004 Currently, the management of protected species and hunting is regulated ito provincial ordinances whose application tend to be inconsistent (this in some instances led to public outcries irt hunting)

4 BACKGROUND (ii) An independent Panel of Experts was appointed by Minister to advise on practices in the hunting industry Recommendations evaluated and used in certain instances

5 ESSENCE OF THREATENED AND PROTECTED SPECIES REGULATIONS It proposes: Minister will issue a list of nationally protected species to inform permitting by provinces (i.e. fish, mammals, birds, reptiles, plants and amphibians) Prohibits issuing of permits for “canned” hunting

6 ESSENCE OF THREATENED AND PROTECTED SPECIES REGULATIONS (ii) Minister to designate provinces as issuing authorities (provision is made for department to issue permits) Permit application will also be informed by whether a captive breeding facility is registered

7 ESSENCE OF HUNTING NORMS AND STANDARDS It proposes: National guidelines for provinces to use when assessing a permit application for hunting; i.e. - Prohibits hunting in special nature reserves, wilderness areas & world heritage sites

8 ESSENCE OF HUNTING NORMS AND STANDARDS (ii) - Subjects hunting in adjacent areas to stricter conditions (e.g. management plan required, approval of Minister/MEC) - Prohibits “canned” hunting practices (e.g. luring by bait, use of sound, etc) Criteria for recognition of hunting associations to enable improved dialogue and promote ethical hunting practices

9 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Link between NEMBA and Provincial legislation Criteria for listing species Existing CBOs Bow hunting DCA Hunting of large predators Permits for non-listed species Determination of “off-take limits”

10 LINK BETWEEN NEMBA/NSH AND PROVINCIAL LEGISLATION NEMBA regulates activities NEMBA – national listed threatened or protected species NSH – nationally and provincial listed threatened or protected species Provincial legislation – other species

11 CRITERIA FOR LISTING SPECIES Definition of “restricted activity” Impacted conservation species Process to develop list –Establishment of expert groups –Criteria established –Workshops –Publication for public comment (Feb 2005)

12 EXISTING CBOs Concern over animals in CBOs Registration process described – 3 months Allows for period to satisfy criteria

13 BOW HUNTING Concern over banning of bow hunting Reg 21(1)(a)(vi) – animal may not be hunted by bow and arrow except where specifically permitted by provincial legislation N&S para 14(2)(a)(vi) – compulsory condition for permit to hunt listed threatened or protected species – similar wording

14 DCA Concern of farming community on control of DCA –No permit issued to undertake control Listing of black-backed jackal and caracal

15 HUNTING OF LARGE PREDATORS No permit issued to hunt captive bred large predators –2 year period of fending for itself –Rehabilitated in an extensive system Luring of animals –Use of bait and dogs –Use of lights –Use of motor vehicles

16 PERMITS FOR ALL SPECIES Permit application for every hunt even provincially listed species Hunting permit - a permit required in terms of NEMBA to carry out a restricted activity involving a listed threatened or protected species (not all provincially listed species) Provincial hunting authorisations - definition on p6 include permit, permission, license or an exemption or exclusion

17 PERMITS FOR ALL SPECIES (ii) Provincial authorisation applies to a provincially listed species (ordinary exemptions will still apply) Owner of an exempted farm must still apply for a national permit if he wants to carry out a restricted activity with a listed threatened or protected species, in other words the species listed in the Regs. For the ordinary game the current system of a license which is valid for a year still applies

18 DETERMINATION OF “OFF-TAKE LIMITS” Establishment of "off-take limits" is according to Reg 76 limited to those national listed threatened or protected species determined by the Minister. Exclude all provincially listed species unless that particular species is also a nationally listed species

19 DETERMINATION OF “OFF-TAKE LIMITS” (ii) “Factors that need to be taken into account when considering an application for provincial hunting authorisations (para 5)” only subpara (c) applies to those nationally listed species determined by the Minister. The landowner can still determine his own off-take for all the other species.

20 WAY FORWARD Written comments Closing date – 19 June 2006 Audit trial of written comments - document compiled containing all written comments Comments evaluated Final recommendation to Minister Publication of regulations and norms and standards Time frame – Early 2007