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Dear PHASA members and fellow hunting associations
I am pleased to inform you that I met with representatives of South African Airways (SAA) on Wednesday afternoon, including the carrier’s Manager: Network Development and Aeropolitical Sam Ndlovu, to discuss the embargo of certain hunting trophies on its services worldwide.
As reported in the media, while the embargo was prompted by a shipment of elephant tusks misdeclared as machinery parts, PHASA was informed at this meeting that “ethical” considerations and general concern regarding the high level of poaching of iconic species such as rhino were also factored into the decision. SAA, they said, did not want to be seen as a conduit for the illicit trade in endangered wildlife products.
PHASA used the meeting to raise concern at the lack of consultation with the industry and government ahead of the decision and to explain the role of legal, sustainable hunting in South Africa’s wildlife management, which included sharing with them the many conservation success stories in which hunting played a major part. Furthermore, I strongly emphasized that an embargo on the transport of legally hunted sport hunted trophies with the necessary permits, will not address the issue of illegal trafficking.
Mr Ndlovu confirmed to PHASA that SAA now has a better understanding of South Africa’s policy of sustainable utilisation, which includes legal hunting, and how hunting permits are issued and how trophy exports are managed, following an earlier meeting with the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA).
Mr Ndlovu also said that SAA acknowledged the importance of hunting tourism to South Africa and the role PHASA played in promoting the country as a premier hunting and tourism destination. He assured PHASA that further consultation will take place next week with the DEA and other stakeholders with the aim of reviewing and possibly revoking the embargo.
PHASA also offered its support and assistance should the airline require more information about hunting in general or the issuance of permits in particular.
All in all, I believe the meeting proved to be highly beneficial for both PHASA and SAA which, in the process, has established a valuable line of communication between the professional hunting community and a key South African tourism player.
I will, of course, keep you abreast of developments as these arise.
Yours sincerely
Adri Kitshoff
PHASA chief executive
I am pleased to inform you that I met with representatives of South African Airways (SAA) on Wednesday afternoon, including the carrier’s Manager: Network Development and Aeropolitical Sam Ndlovu, to discuss the embargo of certain hunting trophies on its services worldwide.
As reported in the media, while the embargo was prompted by a shipment of elephant tusks misdeclared as machinery parts, PHASA was informed at this meeting that “ethical” considerations and general concern regarding the high level of poaching of iconic species such as rhino were also factored into the decision. SAA, they said, did not want to be seen as a conduit for the illicit trade in endangered wildlife products.
PHASA used the meeting to raise concern at the lack of consultation with the industry and government ahead of the decision and to explain the role of legal, sustainable hunting in South Africa’s wildlife management, which included sharing with them the many conservation success stories in which hunting played a major part. Furthermore, I strongly emphasized that an embargo on the transport of legally hunted sport hunted trophies with the necessary permits, will not address the issue of illegal trafficking.
Mr Ndlovu confirmed to PHASA that SAA now has a better understanding of South Africa’s policy of sustainable utilisation, which includes legal hunting, and how hunting permits are issued and how trophy exports are managed, following an earlier meeting with the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA).
Mr Ndlovu also said that SAA acknowledged the importance of hunting tourism to South Africa and the role PHASA played in promoting the country as a premier hunting and tourism destination. He assured PHASA that further consultation will take place next week with the DEA and other stakeholders with the aim of reviewing and possibly revoking the embargo.
PHASA also offered its support and assistance should the airline require more information about hunting in general or the issuance of permits in particular.
All in all, I believe the meeting proved to be highly beneficial for both PHASA and SAA which, in the process, has established a valuable line of communication between the professional hunting community and a key South African tourism player.
I will, of course, keep you abreast of developments as these arise.
Yours sincerely
Adri Kitshoff
PHASA chief executive
