Parliamentary Updates - 2007
Questions and Answers from Parliament by
the Ministery of Environmental Affairs and Tourism on:

February

09/02/2007 Any plastic bags have been recycled since the introduction of the plastic bag regulations
09/02/2007 Consultations took place between Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) and the fishing community with regard to the decision by the MCM
09/02/2007 Marine Coastal Management (MCM) confiscating the Eagle Star from Hout Bay Fishing Industries Ltd
16/02/2007 Department makes use of private security firms
16/02/2007 Individuals or institutions have been granted the right by Marine Coastal Management to fish and catch lobster in the Cape Point Nature Reserve
23/02/2007 Department has initiated environmental awareness projects directed at various sections of the society
23/02/2007 Members of staff in the Department aged 55 years and older applied for retirement packages in January 2006

March

02/03/2007 Fishing rights will be awarded in the Tsitsikamma National Marine Park
06/03/2007 Whether his department has any programme in place to assist black aspirant tour operators to establish their businesses by assisting them with training and finance
06/03/2007 With reference to the report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published in February 2007 (details furnished), (a) what has been the Government’s response to the repor
09/03/2007 Whether, in light of the toxic emissions that have hospitalised pupils and forced the Alipore Road Primary School to temporarily shut down, he will launch an investigation into this matter
09/03/2007 Whether approval has been given to a certain company in the Northern Cape (FAMDA: Fishing and Mariculture Development Company of the Northern Cape) to establish a mariculture project at Port Nolloth
09/03/2007 Whether his department has conducted an environmental audit in order to examine, amongst others, issues concerning private transport and housing
09/03/2007 Whether his department has devised any strategies (a) to promote recycling and (b) the practice of energy efficiency
09/03/2007 Whether any environmental impact study was (a) required and (b) conducted in respect the establishment of a mariculture project at Port Nolloth
16/03/2007 Whether, his department currently runs any aquacultural / maricultural projects
16/03/2007 Whether, with regard to the relocation of a school in Nelspruit to make way for the 2010 Mbombela stadium, (a) any environmental impact assessment was conducted
16/03/2007 With regard to every type of capital equipment which his department or any of the entities that he presides over are responsible to provide, (a) what is the backlog in respect of the provisioning of new capital equipment
26/03/2007 Whether the Pollution Act, Act 6 of 1981, adequately addresses the problem of large-scale oil pollution
26/03/2007 What is the (a) total number of animals documented by SANParks as having been killed by poachers in the Kruger National Parks in the 2006-07 financial year
26/03/2007 With regard to (a) each person serving on the board and (b) each member of the executive management team of each of the entities in respect of which he serves as the executive authority
30/03/2007 Whether, with reference to his reply to Question 50 on 22 February 2007, the Linefish Management Working Group represents all fishermen who are required to install vessel monitoring systems
30/03/2007 Whether is department envisages the arrangement of a national conference in the near future, involving relevant stakeholders to address the issue of global warming and climate change
30/03/2007 Whether Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) received any funds from the Norwegian government or any other Scandinavian country for aquacultural projects or for any other purpose

May

11/05/2007 With regard to every type of infrastructure which his department or any of the entities that he presides over (a) are responsible to provide, what is the backlog in respect of the provisioning of new infrastructure
18/05/2007 What are the (i) names and (ii) designations of the South Africans making up the delegation to the CITES COP14 meeting in June 2007
18/05/2007 Which institution is responsible for the effective management of (a) Dassen Island, (b) Vondeling Island, (c) Jutten Island, (d) Malgas Island, (e) Marcus Island, (f) Schaapen Island and (g) Meeuen Island
18/05/2007 Whether the scientific staff at Marine and Coastal Management under whose line function marine protected areas fall were consulted prior to the decision to allow fishing in the Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area (MPA)
18/05/2007 What is the total tonnage of South Africa’s (i) ivory and (ii) elephant hide stockpile
22/05/2007 Whether his department has created any fund to provide financial assistance to Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in the tourism industry in the Northern Cape
25/05/2007 Whether a certain person (Name furnished – Mr Noel Williams) was ever employed in the office of Marine and Coastal Management

June

01/06/2007

What is the (i) total annual remuneration package of the CEO of the SA Weather Service and (ii) package comprised of, (b) how many international trips have been undertaken by the said CEO since 1 January 2005, (c) what was the (i) destination and (ii) reason for each trip and (d) what was the cost to the taxpayer of each trip?

01/06/2007 Whether the language policy of his department allows an employee who receives a letter addressed to the department in Afrikaans to reply in Xhosa
01/06/2007

What was the total revenue per annum since 2000 from train tourism
08/06/2007 Whether any members of his department have been requested to attend the policy conference of a certain political organisation (ANC), to be held in June 2007
08/06/2007 How many ships and/or boats does his department’s fleet currently consist of
12/06/2007 What strategies have been put in place to make tourism a reality for people with disabilities both as tourists and as entrepreneurs?
22/06/2007 What are the (a) names of (i) municipalities and (ii) provinces that have completed state of the environment reports since 1 January 2005 and (b) dates on which these reports were completed
22/06/2007 What are the (i) names, (ii) designations and (iii) dates of appointment of all the members of the National Environmental Advisory Forum (NEAF)
22/06/2007 How many environmental management inspectors had completed their training by the end of the 2006-07 financial year
22/06/2007 Whether any steps have been taken to further integrate Gonarezhou National Park into the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park in the 2006-07 financial year
22/06/2007 Whether, in view of his department’s commitment to the Climate Change Response Strategy, he has reconsidered his view not to offset the carbon emissions by officials of his department
29/06/2007 In light of independent research finding fishing in the Tsitsikama Marine Protected Area not to be socio-economically viable, what are his department’s reasons for allowing fishing in this area
29/06/2007 What amount was spent by officials of his department on (a) hotel accommodation, (b) restaurant expenses and (c) travel costs (i) in the 2006-07 financial year
29/06/2007 Whether there are any laws or regulations (a) in South Africa or (b) internationally that prevent the use of marine life for the production of bio fuels
29/06/2007 Whether a schedule is available for the performance measuring exercise concerning long-term commercial fishing rights

August

03/08/2007 Whether Marine and Coastal Management has received any proposals that constitute economic investment in proclaimed fishing harbours
03/08/2007 Whether he has been informed that Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) has allowed a number of foreign vessels into South African waters, especially with regard to the hake industry
03/08/2007 Whether South Africa’s current crime rate is having a negative effect on the arrival numbers of foreign tourists
03/08/2007 Whether there were any shortages of staff to deal with environmental impact assessment (EIA) applications in each province as at the latest specified date for which information is available
03/08/2007 What is the status of the Qabasa Monument project planned for Griekwastad in the Northern Cape?
03/08/2007 Whether his department has obtained any sponsorships in 2007
03/08/2007

(1) With regard to the legislation under my jurisdiction, the relevant Act that supports the constitutional right to a safe environment is the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No 107 of 1998-NEMA). In terms of NEMA I have listed certain activities that may not commence without environmental authorisation from a competent authority. Various of these listed activities relate to aspects of town planning as well as agricultural and industrial development. The specific legislation regulating town planning is administered by the various provinces.
13/08/2007 Whether he has been informed that European Union fishing companies and/or fishing vessel operators are entering the South African fishing industry through the buy-out of ownership of current right (quota) holders or by selling fishing vessels from the EU into the South African market
13/08/2007 What was the total amount of fees collected by the SA National Parks (SANParks) from each private concession to national parks in the (a) 2005-06 and (b) 2006-07 financial years
13/08/2007 What are the details of the (a)(i) operational and (ii) capital expenditure, (b) revenue from admissions, (c) revenue from government grants and (d) revenue from other specified sources
13/08/2007 How much ivory have conservation authorities collected in (a) each province and (b) within the area of jurisdiction of the SA National Parks since 1 January 2000
14/08/2007 What are the (i) names and (ii) designations of all staff currently working on climate change-related matters in his department
17/08/2007 Whether the SA National Parks has an Animal Ethics Committee or any other committee that deals with related matters
17/08/2007 Which Ministers are members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change and (b) what have been the (i) dates and (ii) key agenda items for each meeting of the committee since its establishment?
17/08/2007 What (a) entity was granted the tender to conduct the measuring of greenhouse gases under the Greenhouse Gases Inventory project
24/08/2007 Whether there has recently been an increase in the number of rock falls in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site
24/08/2007 Whether, with reference to the recent release of the Brenk Report by the National Nuclear Regulator, his department will engage with the Department of Minerals and Energy to ensure the appropriate rehabilitation of the Wonderfonteinspruit catchment
31/08/2007 Whether any progress has been made in encouraging greater self-regulation by environmental consultants that produce environmental impact assessment (EIAs)
31/08/2007 Whether there is any legislation that governs noise levels

September

04/09/2007 Whether the 2006 environmental impact assessments (EIA) regulations have resulted in a strengthening of the processes surrounding the environmental authorization of developments
07/09/2007 Whether any steps have been or are to be taken to solve the problem of pollution caused by sewerage in the Koukamma Municipality
07/09/2007 Whether a record of the decision on the environmental impact assessment for the N2 toll road has been concluded
14/09/2007 Whether his department has any current programmes that support (i) tourism and (ii) conservation in or in the immediate surrounds of the Wild Coast area of the Eastern Cape
21/09/2007 Whether he is planning to take additional steps in order to save the species known as “seventy four” from total extinction
21/09/2007 Whether the Super Duck and bakkie seized from alleged poachers by MCM officials on 4 July 2007 (details furnished) will be destroyed if there is a conviction in the court case involving the alleged poachers
21/09/2007 Whether, with regard to the latest three financial years for which information is available, he or his department has had any interaction with the South African National Parks to ensure the proper management and functioning of this institution

October

05/10/2007 With reference to the aviation theme of the 2007 National Tourism Conference, (a) what are the key barriers to increasing the number of flights in and out of South African airports and (b) what measures are being taken to address these barriers
05/10/2007 On what basis did he decide that the abalone fishery needs to be closed in its entirety from 1 November 2007 and (b) what is the expected annual loss of income to the economy from the closing of the fishery
12/10/2007 What was the (i) budgeted cost and (ii) actual cost of the report South African Environment Outlook on the state of the environment in South Africa released by his department
12/10/2007 When will the amalgamation of the Qwaqwa Nature Reserve and Golden Gate Highlands National Park be completed and (b) why has it taken so long to complete the amalgamation
12/10/2007 What are the reasons for the increase by R19 million in his department’s travel expenditure between the 2005-06 and 2006-07 financial years?
12/10/2007 What amount of abalone was seized from alleged poachers in (i) the 2006-07 financial year and (ii) the current year up to the latest specified date for which information is available
12/10/2007 Whether, with reference to the recent release in June 2007 of South Africa’s second State of the Environment Report which noted a general decline in our country’s environment, any steps are being taken to ensure that the programmes and interventions under Asgisa are sustainable
15/10/2007 What role is his department playing in recycling waste?
19/10/2007 Whether there were any delays in the granting of permits to rights holders in the (a) south coast rock lobster fishery that was due to open on 1 October 2007 and (b) west coast rock lobster fishery in Zone A that was due to open on 15 October 2007
19/10/2007 (a) What are the (i) names, (ii) designations and (iii) sanctions of all Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) officials that were found to be aiding poaching activities in any way during the period 1 January 2004 up to the latest specified date for which information is available
19/10/2007 (a) What is the (i) name and (ii) location of each slipway along the South African Coast and (b) with regard to each slipway for which there is a Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) official, what is the official’s (i) name and (ii) designation
19/10/2007 (a) What were the (i) dates, (ii) venues and (iii) means of advertising for all sales or auctions of abalone seized from poachers or other sources from 1 January 2003 up to the latest date for which information is available and (b) with regard to each sale or auction, what were (i) the names of the buyers, (ii) the price received for each lot and (iii) the tonnage of each lot
19/10/2007 What were the benefits of the recently closed environmental court in Hermanus
19/10/2007 What was the amount of each transfer made to each municipality for the support of activities to curb the poaching of marine resources in the (a) 2004-05, (b) 2005-06 and (c) 2006-07 financial years?
23/10/2007 Whether, with regard to particular zones in the abalone fishery that have been closed by him, there has been a decrease in the extent of poaching
23/10/2007 What are the key objectives of South Africa regarding the upcoming climate negotiations at the Conference of the Parties in Bali
29/10/2007 With reference to the expiry on 30 September 2007 of the Equality Court order that provided interim relief to Masifundise, what further interim relief measures are being provided for by his department
29/10/2007 Whether his department keeps records of environmental authorisations granted by the Department of Minerals and Energy
29/10/2007 In respect of the 2006-07 annual report for his department and the annual reports of each statutory and other entity reporting to him, (a) what was the (i) budgeted cost, (ii) actual cost and (iii) unit cost of each annual report and (b) how many copies of each were (i) produced and (ii) distributed?
29/10/2007 Whether there are any asbestos dumping grounds in South Africa; if so, (a) where, (b) how long have they been there and (c) what quantity of asbestos is at each of these grounds
29/10/2007 Whether his department is in agreement with the Department of Minerals and Energy’s desire to retain the competency for granting environmental authorisations for mining operations; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details
29/10/2007 When is it expected that a decision will be taken on whether mining activities will be allowed in the Pondoland Park and (b) what effect will such mining activities have on ecotourism?

November

05/11/2007 Whether there will be a process of greening our cities in anticipation of the FIFA World Cup event in 2010; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
05/11/2007 What is the expected effect of the draft Alien and Invasive Species Regulations in terms of the National Environment Management: Biodiversity Act, Act No. 10 of 2004, on the (a) breeding, (b) import, (c) export and (d) freshwater fishing of rainbow trout in South Africa
09/11/2007 With regard to the R100 million that the Government will provide for six marine fish farming projects in the 2007-08 financial year, (a) how many jobs is it expected will be created and (b) what is the anticipated environmental impact of these projects?
09/11/2007 Whether, with reference to the Mapungubwe Human Remains Reburial Project, archeological and ethnological research has been conducted by his department or any other entities to determine the bona fide groups that represent the descendents of the Mapungubwe people
16/11/2007 What (a) capital amount and (b) operating amount has been spent on each of the Marine and Coastal Management’s four large protection vessels since they have become operational and (c) is the cost/benefit of these vessels in each sector of the fishing industry
16/11/2007 Whether, considering that  the contractors have already started work on the King Shaka Airport, the Airports Company of South Africa Ltd (ACSA) is in breach of the current appeals process following the record of decision by the department
16/11/2007 Whether his department or any of the entities reporting to him made any applications to secure exhibition space in or access to facilities at the national conference of a certain political organisation (name furnished); if so, what is the expected benefit to (a) his department and (b) the taxpayer
16/11/2007 Whether he remains committed to the process of allocating long-term fishing rights in the fishing sectors
16/11/2007 Whether the Deputy Director-General: Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) and the Chief Director: Monitoring, Control and Surveillance are able to effectively deal with the enforcement of compliance in the West Coast rock lobster sectors
16/11/2007 How many (a) convictions have there been in the past five years for illegal fishing of West Coast rock lobster (WCRL)
16/11/2007 How many Section 28’s have been (a) issued by Marine and Coastal Management to West Coast rock lobster rightsholders in the past five years and (b) what has been the result of these Section 28’s in each case?
16/11/2007 What (a) are the (i) names and (ii) locations of all waste sites permitted to accept medical waste and (b) is the estimated total amount of medical waste produced each year
16/11/2007 With regard to the tender process for scuba diving concessions in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, (a) how were the number of concessions determined
16/11/2007 What is the annual estimated amount in tons of illegally harvested West Coast rock lobster (WCRL)
23/11/2007 Whether, with reference to his reply to Question No 37 of 3 March 2005 for oral reply, the population and habitat viability assessment for leopards has been completed
23/11/2007 What is the rationale for his department’s section 56 list under the Threatened or Protected Species Regulations containing only 39 of the approximately 292 endemic mammal species
23/11/2007 Whether the SA National Parks (SANParks) has a centralised system that records poaching figures within its parks