In terms of Section 61 of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) (NEMBA), the Scientific Authority is required to make non-detriment findings (NDFs) on the impact of actions relating to the international trade in specimens of threatened or protected species and species included in the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In terms of Articles III and IV of CITES, an export permit for a specimen of an Appendix I or Appendix II species shall only be granted when the Scientific Authority of the State of export has advised that export will not be detrimental to the survival of that species.

The Scientific Authority monitors the international trade in specimens of all South Africa’s CITES-listed species, as reported in the CITES Trade database, and makes complex (comprehensive/detailed) NDFs for species that meet one of the following criteria: –

  1. Threatened species (IUCN Red List status of Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable) with a small national population; exported from South Africa in quantities of more than 10 whole individuals over the preceding 10-year period.
  2. Threatened species (the national population not deemed to be small); exported from South Africa in quantities of more than 250 whole individuals over the preceding 10-year period.
  3. Near Threatened / Data Deficient / Rare / Declining species; exported from South Africa in quantities of more than 1000 whole individuals over the preceding 10-year period.
  4. Species with an IUCN Red List status of Least Concern; exported from South Africa in quantities of more than 10 000 individuals, or exports show a significant increasing trend, over the preceding 10-year period.

All other species are deemed to be at low risk from international trade as legal exports are at levels that are not detrimental relative to the conservation status of the species. This approach is illustrated graphically in the figure below.

The Scientific Authority has adopted the CITES NDF checklist for making complex non-detriment findings. Factors considered in an NDF assessment include the biological characteristics of the species and its national status (distribution, abundance, trends and threats), as well as factors relating to the management system in place for that species, such as management plans, harvest control and monitoring, protection of the species from harvest, and incentives and benefits arising from harvest. Results are presented in a radar chart as in the examples below (the more red visible, the higher the risk), and the radar chart is converted into a vulnerability/management plot for interpretation purposes. Trade can be considered for species assessed at a low to moderate risk, whereas trade is not advisable for species assessed at a moderate to high risk.

To date, the Scientific Authority has made 41 complex non-detriment findings. (Download here)

Eastern Cape Blue Cycad                                           Southern white rhinoceros

               

                 

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