Non-detriment findings

In accordance with Section 61 of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) (NEMBA), the Scientific Authority of South Africa is mandated to make non-detriment findings (NDFs) on the impacts of actions relating to the international trade in specimens of species listed as threatened or protected under NEMBA, and species included in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendices.

Under Articles III and IV of CITES, an export permit for a specimen of a species included in Appendix I or II shall only be granted when the Scientific Authority of the exporting country advises that such trade will not be detrimental to the survival of that species.

The Scientific Authority systematically monitors trade records using data from the CITES Trade Database and prepares comprehensive/detailed or complex NDF assessments for species that meet specific risk-based thresholds. These thresholds are determined by a combination of species IUCN Red List statuses and trade volumes over a 10-year period:

• Threatened species (Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable) with small national populations (<1000 – 2,500 individuals depending on threat status) which are exported from South Africa in quantities of more than 10 whole individuals.
• Threatened species with larger populations (>1,000 – 2,500 individuals depending on threat status) which are exported from South Africa in quantities of more than 250 whole individuals.
• Near Threatened, Data Deficient, Rare, or Declining species with quantities of more than 1,000 whole individuals exported from South Africa.
• Least Concern species with export quantities exceeding 10,000 whole individuals from South Africa, or where there is a significant upward trend in exports.

NDF prioritisation scoring (2011-2020) for CITES listed species

Species not meeting these thresholds are considered low risk (see table below), with trade levels unlikely to cause harm based on their current conservation status. This approach is illustrated graphically in the figure below. In certain circumstances, the Scientific Authority may conduct simplified assessments for identified species where there is a potential cause for concern.

Number of low risk species

	Family	No. of species
Animals	Insects	1
	Reptiles	70
	Birds	99
	Mammals	17
	Marine	229
	Clams	2
	Coelacanth	1
	Corals	160
	Dolphins and Whales	35
	Sharks, Rays, Guitarfish, Hammerheads, sawfish	24
	Porpoise	1
	Seahorses	6
	Subtotal	416
Plants		708
	Total	1124

NDF Methodology and Risk Assessment

The Scientific Authority uses the CITES NDF Checklist to guide the development of complex NDF assessments. These consider the national status of the species as well as biological and management factors:

• Life history/life form, ecological adaptability, regeneration potential, dispersal efficiency, human tolerance, habitat;
• Distribution, abundance, population trends, and threats;
• Illegal trade or offtake;
• Existence and effectiveness of management plans and harvest controls;
• Monitoring frameworks, protection measures and regulatory provisions;
• Incentives and benefits linked to sustainable use or harvest.

All factors are scored in terms of risk (low to high). A precautionary approach is ensured by assessing the quality of information throughout. Radar charts are used to visualize risk of trade (as illustrated graphically in the figure below, with larger areas of red indicating higher risk) and are translated into vulnerability/management plots (see examples in the figure below) to inform non-detriment findings and trade recommendations. Trade is typically considered acceptable for species falling within the low to moderate risk range, while species in the moderate to high risk range are not recommended for trade.

Assessments are done in a consultative manner with experts in the field, including scientific, industry, management and policy experts to solicit as much information on the species as possible. Information is also sourced from published literature and research projects.

Eastern Cape Blue Cycad                                           Southern white rhinoceros