MONDAY, 23 AUGUST 2004: The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (No. 10 of 2004) was signed into law on 31 May 2004 and it is set to enter into force, by Presidential proclamation, on 1 September 2004.

Chapter 4 of the Act contains provisions for the protection of rare and threatened species and species protected under international agreements. It makes provision for the listing of species that are threatened or in need of protection to ensure their survival in the wild and also regulate the activities, such as trade, which may involve such listed species.

Chapter 5 provides for the management of alien and invasive species through the control of their introduction and spread, as well as the control and eradication of those already established. It provides for the listing of alien and invasive species and also regulates the activities, which may involve these listed species.

The Act compels the Minister to follow a public consultative process before publishing lists of threatened and protected species and lists of alien and invasive species. Recognising the need for consultation to develop and approve these lists and to ensure that all relevant stakeholders are consulted and involved in the developmental process, the department is initiating a process to register stakeholders.

Stakeholders are requested to register as one of three categories as appropriate, viz. institutions, experts or individuals. Individual members of the public, experts or relevant organisations may apply to register either for the purpose of consultation regarding: 1) the listing of threatened and protected species and/or, 2) the listing of alien and invasive species. A database of stakeholders will be developed and maintained by the department and will be used for consultation purposes during the listing process.

Scientific and technical expertise required for the listing of threatened and protected species and alien and invasive species will be sourced form experts registered on the stakeholder database and other identified experts. Ad hoc expert groups to assist in the compilation of species lists will be formed from the roster of experts on the database. For example, ad hoc expert groups will be set up on: (a) developing categories and criteria for the listing of species, (b) birds, (c) mammals, (d) plants, (e) marine species, (f) freshwater fish species, (g) reptiles and amphibians, and (h) invertebrate, but may not necessarily be restricted to these.

Draft lists will be circulated to all registered stakeholders, on the departmental database, for comment and input.

Enquiries can be directed to, and registration forms can be obtained from the following departmental officials:

Ms Sonja Meintjes
Tel: (012) 310 3533

Ms Thea Carroll
Tel: (012) 310 3575

Ms Stacey Brown
Tel: (012) 310 3533

Ms Pamela Kershaw
Tel: (012) 310 3930

Electronic enquiries can be directed to:
E-mail: SpeciesListing@deat.gov.za or Fax. (012) 320 7026.

Closing date for applications: 15 September 2004