Zero Tolerance Policy for Misconduct and Ethical Violations

Zero Tolerance Policy for Misconduct and Ethical Violations

The Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) has informed you about the circumstances that lead to the suspension of issuing leopard and cheetah trophy hunting permits in Namibia.

NAPHA also informed you that we recommended to the Ministry of Environment & Tourism (MET) to impose a moratorium on the issuing of leopard and cheetah Trophy Hunting Permits for 2010 to get “our house in order” so that a just, ethical and sustainable utilization of our valuable natural resources can be warranted.

In the mean time we want to assure our esteemed international clientele that we will not tolerate any misconduct by either NAPHA members or non-members that could jeopardize the future of our hunting sector. We, therefore, appeal to the international hunter, please book your Namibian hunt with a NAPHA member to have the guarantee of recourse.

We also want to bring to your attention that we have accepted a policy of zero tolerance if NAMIBIAN hunting laws are transgressed. The responsibility of law-enforcement lies with our Ministry of Environment and Tourism. However, NAPHA has decided to utilize all additional means available to increase the collegial pressure to respect our NAPHA Code of Conduct, the Code of Ethical Sport Hunting for Africa and the Namibian hunting regulations.

1. We shall inform our international partner organizations like Safari Club International (SCI), Dallas Safari Club (DSC) and International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) of any misconduct.

2. Law transgressions will be publicized within our own ranks.

3. We will inform clients about illegal operations of their PH’s/outfitters.

4. We will notify other relevant authorities.

5. This could lead to the enforcement of the LACEY Act in the US, with possible severe consequences for the hunting clients themselves.

6. Regional Professional Hunters Associations will be informed about the misconduct and /or the transgression should their member be involved.

Glad to know that NAPHA/Namibia is really working hard to promote and enforce ethical hunting standards. I for one feel better about hunting in a country that values its wildlife so highly. Keep up the good work!

I think this statement has been withdrawn due to negative response from American hunters.

...I fully agree with Safari Chick! I'm glad to see that a government agency see's that there is a problem & is willing to correct it before it becomes a full blown disaster that will cost them much more money down the road!!

NAPHA is a trade organization and not a government agency. Not all reputable and licensed professional hunters in Namibia are members, although NAPHA's leaders obviously would like them to be. Hence the statement posted here and on other sites.

Although this statement is worded differently, it is basically the same as the one that brought much controversy on AR recently because of the way it threatens American hunters.

It reminds us that ignorance of Namibian law is no excuse. Break a wildlife law in that country and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service "may" hear about it (especially if you had hunted with a non-NAPHA member) and could arrest you, put you on trial and impose a stiff fine and a jail sentence if you are found guilty of crossing an international border and violating a wildlife law.

This will result in your becoming a felon under the provisions of the U.S. Lacey Act. Among other things, you will have lost your right to vote and possess firearms.

The fact remains, even though all hunters are at the mercy of the people they hire to outfit them, guide them and keep them law-abiding in a foreign country, only Americans face such severe penalties for unwittingly violating a hunting law of another nation.

Bill Quimby

Bill . . . you hit the nail on the head, sir.