BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PLAN: CLAN WILLIAM SANDFISH, LABEO SEEBERI
Title: Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) for the Clan William Sandfish, Labeo Seeberi
Government Notice: GN 406 in GG 39899 of 1 April 2016
Date of commencement: 1 April 2016
The Clanwilliam sandfish Labeo seeberi is listed by the IUCN Red Data List and by the South Africa’s Threatened or Protected Species Regulations of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act,2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) (NEMBA) as Endangered (IUCN 2010). This recognises that species facing an extremely high risk of extinction and is therefore subject to the restrictions imposed by national legislation on its removal from the wild, transport, trade and use. Responsibility for the conservation and management of the sandfish are shared by the conservation authorities in the two provinces – the Western and Northern Cape – in which it occurs, i.e. CapeNature and Northern Cape Department of Environment and Nature Conservation. The anticipated outcomes of this BMP are to create greater awareness among landowners within the catchment of the sandfish and of the importance of implementing sustainable land and water use practises, to promote the development of an alien fish management plan that will reduce the likelihood of additional fish introductions occurring in rivers or catchments that contain Clanwilliam sandfish.
In terms of the BMP, responsibility for the conservation and management of the sandfish also extends to private landowners that fall both within and outside its distribution range where land-use practices impact on downstream aquatic habitat. Private landowners, through conservancies and stewardship programmes are expected to manage land and water resources in a manner consistent with national environmental legislation and to adhere to the restrictions imposed on the movement and introduction of alien invasive species. If your operation conducts activities that may impact on the Clanwilliam sandfish, compliance to this BMP must be ensured. Furthermore, it must be ensured that all required permits are obtained pertaining to the handling of the Clanwilliam sandfish.
