STAKEHOLDERS WORKSHOP ON BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS IN MPUMALANGA

By Naki Mposi

Invasive Tick Seed_Coreopsis lanceolate

From the 15 to the 16 of July 2019, SANBI’s Biological Invasions Directorate: Mpumalanga Region hosted the Municipal and Stakeholders Workshop on Biological Invasions in Mpumalanga. The purpose of the workshop was to share knowledge and information on invasive species prevention and management from across Mpumalanga including invasive species managers from all levels of governments, organizations and others. The workshop links to the support given to teams clearing alien invasive at the Blyde River Canyon, especially the Blyde Restoration Custodianship team. The workshop was a great learning experience because it helped in understanding alien invasive species and how to combat the latest threatening alien invasive in our landscape. The theme of the workshop was “Taking Charge of our Natural Capital: An integrated approach to Alien invasive species detection control and management”.

The Keynote speaker was Dr. Sebataolo Rahlao from SANBI-BID and he presented the background on the Biological Invasions Directorate (SANBI-BID). The key take away from the keynote was that, as there is a lot of invasive species recorded, the collective should work hard to combat the most threatening alien invasive species.

Emphasis was giving to everyone clearing or dealing with alien invasive species that they need to comply with the NEMBA (10/2004): Alien Invasive Species Regulations. They should know which categories of alien invasive they are dealing with and with categories they fall under. This session also brought an understanding on the use of the Risk Analysis framework. The framework helps in identifying and categorizing species, alien invasive species. It has a couple of things to look at while categorizing the alien invasive species, like, the background of the species, its native origin, its colour, which other invasive its related to, the literature around it, etc.

Mauritius Hemp

Discussions highlighted the need for more effective communication amongst different stakeholders, from DEFF to the local municipalities. There should also be a proper data management and who should be responsible for the data management of the clearing or eradication of these alien invasive species. There should be awareness and communication to the lowest level in order to have one goal achieved, which is fighting alien invasive species