THE WILDLIFE ANIMAL PROTECTION FORUM South Africa
A Collaborative Network Representing the Interests of Wild Animals In South Africa
WAPFSA has expressed our concern about the seeming lack of infrastructure to prevent and manage emergencies and possible incidents at sea, as well as illegal activities and pollution.
We welcome the Draft Bill as a tool to better protect our biodiversity and environment for the sake of ecosystems and resources for our future generations.
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“The Department has a mandate to implement the Marine Living Resources Act, which confers the responsibility for ensuring utilisation of marine living resources and protection of the broader ecosystems in which such utilisation may take place, while also achieving social and economic goals, as was re-iterated in the judgement in the West Coast rock lobster case referred to. As a public trustee, I am bound to uphold this legislation and to ensure that the objectives of the Marine Living Resources Act are achieved in a balanced manner”.
Minister Barbara Creecy Department of the Environment, Forestry and Fisheries
The undersigned Members of the Wildlife Animal Protection Forum South Africa support the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, of which South Africa is a signatory, in particular the ending of poverty with the implicit reduction of inequality and the achievement of social justice.
Our constitution highlights our rights as South Africans to having the environment protected. We support equal access to resources at the same time as we support the need to protect our biodiversity for future generations.
The importance of addressing the climate change crisis is paramount. We believe that, as articulated by UNHRC Chief Michelle Bachelet, climate change is the “greatest ever threat to human rights”
It is vital that South Africa is able to demonstrate our commitment to protecting at 17% of each habitat type. Fulfilling our duty in this regard is essential in order to ensure the sustainability of resources for future generations.
SIGNED BY WAPFSA MEMBERS