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 HuntingReport.com |
Tanzania Postpones Concession Reallocations
(Editor Note: Concession reallocations in Tanzania were due back in 2007 to go into effect in 2010. Those allocations were never done, causing some anxiety and quite a bit of uncertainty for safari operators in that country. Operators did not know what to do about marketing their hunts for next year. And clients balked at booking hunts when they did not know what area they could be hunting. All of that was cleared up after Tanzanian Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism Shamsa Mwangunga addressed the safari industry at the Safari Club International Convention in Reno. Following is the minister's speech, word-for-word, announcing an extension on current allocations and other developments that will affect safari hunting in Tanzania. See future issues of The Hunting Report for our continuing coverage of these developments.) TALKING NOTES FOR THE MINISTER FOR NATURAL RESOURCES AND TOURISM HON. SHAMSA S. MWANGUNGA (MP) AT THE MEETING WITH THE MEMBERS OF TAHOA AND SCI OFFICIALS, RENO NEVADA , JANUARY 2009 President of Safari Club International (SCI), His Excellency Ambassador of URT, Honorable Members of Parliament, URT Chairman of TAHOA, Director of Wildlife, Members of the Hunting Fraternity Ladies and Gentlemen; First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Safari Club International for having invited me to this very important and world renowned hunting convention. This is my first time to attend as well as the Members of the Parliament from Tanzania, accompanying me. I am indeed impressed with such a huge gathering, consisting of Safari Operators, Professional Hunters, Safari Agents, hunting clients as well as traders in various items that are used in sport hunting. Ladies and Gentlemen Sport Hunting in Tanzania is guided by the Wildlife Policy of Tanzania of 2007, and regulated by the Wildlife Conservation Act, CAP 283 and its amendments. As some of you may be aware, this legislation was enacted in 1974. Taking into account of the dynamics of social and economic changes both at local and international levels, the review of the legislation was imperative. The review process was extremely participatory, as all key stakeholders including hunting companies in Tanzania were involved in the various workshops and public hearing sessions. On this note, I wish to inform you that the said New Wildlife legislation will soon be passed by the Parliament in this coming February, 2009. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am aware that of late, my ministry has been receiving several inquiries from the Chairman of TAHOA, Mr. Gerard Pasanis, who time and again has expressed concerns over the hunting industry, particularly with regard to smooth conduct of the marketing of safaris. The Government finds the concerns legitimate, and I want to assure you that appropriate measures have been taken to safeguard the industry. According to the current Sport (Tourist) Hunting Regulations of 2000 (Revised), hunting blocks are allocated to hunting companies two years before the end of the existing hunting term. This means that in view of the 2005 - 2009 hunting term, my ministry should have allocated hunting blocks by 2007. This did not happen because of the following:
Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to touch on the 1994 Consensus (TAHOA vs the Government). The government of Tanzania signed a consensus with TAHOA in 1994, as a framework of controlling and ensuring stability in the trophy hunting industry in Tanzania. I would like to point out that the Government fully acknowledges and appreciates that the Consensus has been a very useful tool in creating harmony in the sport hunting industry. In this understanding, we undertake to strengthen our partnership through continued dialogue. Indeed, no one should doubt the commitment of the government to dialogue. Ladies and Gentlemen, In pursuit of the spirit of the Consensus, and taking note that the new Wildlife Conservation Act will be in place very soon, the government has seen the dire need for a smooth transition to that effect. It is in that express understanding that my ministry set out for an interim measure, which will enable hunting companies to continue conducting hunting activities in their respective hunting blocks, beyond the prescribed hunting term that was to end 2009. Ladies and Gentlemen, I understand that most of the hunting operators expected to have an uninterrupted period of five years allocation of hunting blocks. As this could not be the case, allow me to take this opportunity to explain to you the key reasons for instituting an interim period.
Thus, based on the time required for making Regulations for the New Wildlife Law, the time required for marketing hunting safaris, and in living up to the spirit of the Consensus and the 2000Rev.Sport (Tourist) Hunting Regulations, the Government of Tanzania has "extended" the 2005 - 2009 hunting term for a period of three years. Thus, under the New Wildlife Law, allocation of hunting blocks for a new Hunting Term of five years; 2013 -2017 shall be made in 2010. Ladies and Gentlemen Having said that let me reiterate that the government of Tanzania is committed to ensure that sport hunting is sustainably managed for the good of the country and the global community as whole. I therefore call upon all stakeholders, particularly Safari Club International to forge stronger partnership between yourselves and my Ministry. I cannot conclude without making reference to the historic milestone of the election of the 1st African-American, as president of this Great Nation. I am confident that under the new leadership, relations between the US and Africa will continue to be strengthened. I thank you for your time and wish you a very successful safari hunting convention. |
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