New alien invaders list issued
Gardeners and animal lovers will have to take care not to fall foul of the law after a list of more than 1,000 alien invasive or prohibited creatures was gazetted recently for public comment.
The list includes dozens of common garden plants and grasses, more than a dozen birds, two dozen reptiles and various creatures such as certain ants and tarantulas.
Anyone found guilty of contravening the Biodiversity Act will be liable for either a R5-million fine or five years’ imprisonment.
Invader species include ‘famine weed’ or Parthenium hysteropherous, one of Africa’s most serious and widespread weeds, and water hyacinth, which is currently wrecking havoc on Toti rivers. Some common flora on the list includes jacaranda, Brazilian pepper, African flame trees, guavas, granadillas, kikuyu grass, several types of cactus, Indian shot or Canna indica and sword ferns.
Owner of South Coast Exotics pet shop in Doonside, Bradley Hammes said the new draft laws are a good idea, but they need to be governed properly.
“They need to do more research into the list as well,” he said. “The common house gecko is on the list, so that means if you have one in your house, they can fine you.
Freshwater lobster and turtles are on the list. They are okay to have, but as it stands, it is not okay to trade, distribute or sell them.”
Pink-toed tarantulas are also on the list of prohibited creatures, which Bradley said won’t affect his business much. “We have tarantulas, but we won’t be selling them anymore as they aren’t a big seller. They don’t need to be on the list as our climate doesn’t suit them. The biggest problem is fish that are highly invasive, plus the walking catfish and red belly piranhas.
I’m all for these new laws, but the problem is there is too much corruption when it comes to policing them.”
