The uncertainty is now cleared away. Tanzania Tourism Minister Shamsa Mwangunga says the Tanzanian government will announce new concession allocations in 2010 that will then go into effect in 2013. Basically, Tanzania has extended the 2005-2009 hunting term (or allocation term) for a period of three years to allow operators time to prepare and market their safaris accordingly. Mwangunga announced the extension at the the SCI Convention last month. Mwangunga, you may remember replaced the former tourism minister, Professor Jumanne Maghembe, who oversaw those increases in trophy and concession fees we reported on throughout 2007. In a speech Mwangunga delivered at the convention, she cleared up why the business of reallocating concessions was delayed and, thanks to the efforts of TAHOA Chairman Gerard Pasanisi, assured everyone that her ministry understands the hunting industry's need to conduct marketing efforts effectively. "The Government finds the concerns legitimate, and I want to assure you that appropriate measures have been taken to safeguard the industry," she said. That's particularly important, as the Tanzanian government is about to pass new wildlife conservation legislation.
Seems part of the delay in allocations has been the review and subsequent revision of the 1974 Wildlife Conservation Act, which should pass parliament this very month. Apparently the review process has been an open one, allowing stakeholders, including TAHOA and hunting companies in Tanzania, to participate in workshops and public hearings. Among the issues the new wildlife policy will address are management of wetlands, the establishment of private game ranches, community participation in wildlife conservation and the inclusion of international agreements. As soon as the new legislation........(continued)
