Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) is drawing its members’ attention to the proposed reopening of the land restitution claims process. It provides information documents on its website to landowners. The documents are recent and up to date. They reflect new provisions introduced by the Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Bill as well as the new Expropriation Bill. For more information visit http://www.wrsa.co.za
RhinoDot Com is an information and network-oriented campaign that lobbies for the legalization of rhino horn. It recently compiled a document that addresses some of the interesting criticisms they receive against a proposed legal trade in rhino horn. These can be downloaded via the association for game farmers, Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) website at: http://www.wrsa.co.za/news/item/401-criticisms-of-a-legal-trade-in-rhino-horn
The SAA has changed to a baggage policy that restricts the number of pieces of baggage a passenger may check in.
The new rules, applicable from 5 September 2013, limits and defines the number of baggage pieces a passenger may check-in, as well as the weight restrictions for each piece, according to route and class of travel. The excess baggage will be charged at a flat rate per rule broken, per piece. This means that if a piece of baggage is both overweight and oversize, two excess baggage charges will apply. Weight/size restrictions apply to all baggage pieces, including additional pieces over and above the baggage allowance. In addition, and to comply with airport loading equipment limits, SAA cannot accept any check-in items weighing more than 32kg. Passengers travelling on multi-sector/multi-carrier tickets and SAA code-share partner flights, i.e. tickets purchased from SAA for a flight with an SA flight number, but operated by another airline, should check with the other airlines to see which baggage policy is applicable. Details of the new policy can be viewed at www.flysaa.com.
South Africa is busy establishing a central national database of active hunting industry professionals.
The objective is to, for the first time ever, develop and maintain a central national database for active, registered, licensed professional hunters and hunting outfitters, as well as PH School directors. The system is further intended to incorporate the ability of a person’s national registration, if that person’s permit to operate has been withdrawn in a specific province for reasons such as a gross violation of NEMBA (National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act). This will prevent the person from licensing in another province.
The concept is still in its baby shoes, and the Department of Environmental Affairs is still drafting regulations to facilitate the process, which will have to follow the normal RSA legislative process of consultation and public comment before implementation. This process may commence in 2013, but the implementation schedule is still uncertain.
As it currently stands the database will not replace the current need for professionals to license in all provinces in which they intend operating. The Professional Hunters Association of South Africa (PHASA) has welcomed the signing of the new National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act into law, saying it is the first step towards one national permit system and issued the following statement which included the following: ‘The current system where professional hunters, outfitters and professional hunters’ school directors have to register in each province has proved to be an administrative nightmare and PHASA has been lobbying for a national register for many years. We hope it paves the way for the establishment of a national permit system, which would overcome the administrative burden of having to abide to nine provincial plus one national sets of legislation. It might also further close down any loopholes for abusing the system. The abuse of the permit system has blemished the reputation of the professional hunting industry and PHASA continues to work with the National Department of Environmental Affairs and other NGOs to look at other ways of stamping out illegal hunting activities.’
CITES recently stated on its website that: The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) welcomes the Executive Order on Combating Wildlife Trafficking issued by the President of the United States, Barack Obama, on 1 July 2013. The Executive Order addresses both its domestic and international response to the current surge in wildlife trafficking.
The Executive Order establishes a Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking, to be co-chaired by the Secretary of State, Secretary of the Interior, and the Attorney General (Co-Chairs), or their designees, who shall report to the President through the National Security Advisor, with certain tasks assigned to it.
“This Executive Order sends a very powerful message both domestically and internationally on the need to treat wildlife crime as a serious crime on a par with narcotics and arms trafficking. The offer of financial and technical assistance to affected range States to tighten laws and strengthen capacity to combat wildlife trafficking, including the targeted training of front-line enforcement officers, is much needed,” said Mr John E. Scanlon, CITES Secretary-General.
AHI would like to draw the industry’s attention to the CIC Young Opinion Research Award.
The CIC (International Council for Game & Wildlife Conservation) is a global non-profit inter-governmental organization aiming to conserve wildlife through its sustainable use. The Young Opinion working group of the CIC focuses on creating a global network of young scientists under the age of 35, who believe in the values which the CIC is advocating.
The CIC Young Opinion Research Award is aimed at supporting researchers whose projects contribute to the sustainable use of wildlife for the benefit of natural heritage conservation. Thereby, the goal of the Young Opinion Research Award is to promote scientific research in the accordance with the spirit of CIC’s convictions. Participants are required to send a summary of their research project, explaining the aim, methods and conclusions of the project.
The jury, a committee of CIC experts, will determine the two winners, who will be rewarded with an invitation to participate at the 61st General Assembly in Milan (23 – 26 April 2014) and to present their projects and get in contact with key representatives and experts in the field of sustainable hunting. The prize covers the registration fee, accommodation and travel expenses. The deadline for application is 15 November 2013. The results will be announced by mid-February 2014.
Requirements: Students of Masters and Doctoral programmes under 35 years old are eligible to apply. The summary should meet the following criteria:
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