Please circle this to everyone you know. The more people see this the better chance of them pulling the new regulations.
Fellow fly fishers, conservationists
Attached find the new ToPS regulations as on 16 April 2013... (https://www.environment.gov.za/sites...egulations.pdf and
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites...st_species.pdf)
Quick background for those that are not aware of what ToPS is.
The ToPS (Threatened or Protected Species) regulations of NEMBA (National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act, 2004) are rules and regulations that should aid in the conservations of threatened or protected species. Needless to say these regulations should have a positive effect on the conservation of those species. There should be sound scientific evidence that the listed species are in fact threatened or be protected and that the rules and regulations relating to that species will in fact conserve the species. There are certain activities that are restricted (for example the catching of Great white sharks, the keeping of an African Rock python in captivity or the dehorning of Rhino).
ToPS has always been a big headache for many people involved in the wildlife industry including myself (being a wildlife veterinarian). Some of the listed restricted activities can be overcome by acquiring a permit that allows you to do that restricted activity. You can see how this becomes a problem for a veterinarian; a member of the public picks up an injured Hedgehog next to the road, takes it to his local vet, but the vet is not allowed to treat it since he doesn't have a ToPS permit... Crazy right!? He decides to treat it anyway since he is obliged by his oath, but in doing so contravenes the law (technically you also did since you weren't allowed to pick it up in the first place...) Crazy indeed!! Same applies for a Cheetah or Vulture and even our national bird, the Blue Crane and most other ToPS species. DEA (Department of Environmental Affairs) would rather have the animal die than a vet without a permit treat such an animal. Luckily most vets would treat these species since they are also governed by the Veterinary Act. The point is that DEA in their capacity to conserve wildlife is actually doing the opposite!
And now the new ToPS regulations are even MORE absurd!!!
The ToPS species include all fauna and flora but obviously relevant to this forum is the Pisces (Fishes) and marine species.
So how does this influence you my fellow fly fisherman?
On page 24 of the regulations "ANGLING" is listed as a restricted activity!!!!! Yes you may not catch certain ToPS species without a permit, for example a Largemouth Yellowfish. But that you know right. To get a permit is another story. It will take weeks, if they approve it, plus it will set you back a few hundred bucks.
So in the past when you were throwing a big Woolly bugger in the Olifants river (targeting Smallmouth Bass obviously since it would be illegal to “pursue, target or catch” Clanwilliam Yellowfish) and by chance you hook a Clanwilliam Yellow, catch it and despite releasing it still would have contravened the law. Bad luck some would say...
Now the new regulations make provision for catching a ToPS species by chance. So you are now allowed to catch a ToPS listed species but have to release it immediately. This seems fair since it realy wasn’t your fault that the Largemouth Yellow latched onto your nr 12 caddis while truly targeting Smallmouths.
But here is where DEA totally lost the plot. See page 155:
The Berg-Breede River Witvis is listed as Endangered. No arguing about this. We all know this species desperately needs protection.
So in column 3 (which lists the restricted activities that are exempted, in other words restricted activities that do not require a permit) we will read the following:
"The following restricted activities involving live specimens: catch and kill, catch and immediate release"
Guys what did these people from DEA think? Yes it makes sense to allow the activity "catch and immediate release" but how does "catch and kill" aid in the conservation of this species???
This will have a huge (negative) impact on endangered fish if they pass these laws!
There are many examples like this in the new ToPS regulations including Clanwilliam- and Vaal-Orange Largemouth Yellowfishes, Sawfin and other not so fish-able species like the Redfin etc.
This will destroy threatened species and the joy of fly fishing as we know it.
BUT THERE IS HOPE...
We (the general public) have time to comment on these regulations. We have until about 15 June to comment. We must stop this and get them to change the regulations accordingly.
I URGE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU TO PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS!
Yours in conservation,
Jacques
Please circle this to everyone you know. The more people see this the better chance of them pulling the new regulations.
So where do we submit our comments Jacques?
By post to: The Director-General Department of Environmental Affairs
Attention: Ms Magdel BoshoffPrivate Bag X447Pretoria0001
By hand at: 2nd Floor (Reception),
Fedsure Forum Building,315 Pretorius Street,Pretoria,0001.
By e-mail: mboshoff@environment.gov.za or by fax to: (012) 320 7026
Comments received after the closing date may not be considered.
Last edited by BuzzLiteBeer; 29-05-13 at 11:15 PM.
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish.
That's right, please send to Magdel Boshoff. Please also CC the director and deputy director - fmketini@environment.gov.za and nngcaba@environment.gov.za
Thanks!
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