Western Cape Biodiversity Act

NOTIFICATION OF PUBLIC MEETINGS: DRAFT REGULATIONS AND SPECIES LISTS FOR STAKEHOLDER REVIEW AND COMMENT (WESTERN CAPE BIODIVERSITY ACT 6 OF 2021)

Dear Stakeholders,

Notice is hereby given that CapeNature, in collaboration with the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP), is hosting stakeholder meetings regarding the proposed implementation of provisions under the Western Cape Biodiversity Act 6 of 2021 (WCBA). Further to the below notification, kindly see link to the Draft Regulations and Species lists for public comment: https://www.cesnet.co.za/draft...

The stakeholder meetings are intended to focus on:

1. Draft Regulations (in terms of section 81 of the WCBA) relating to authorisations required for, and special management measures associated with, species in need of protection or posing a threat to the environment; and
2. Draft Lists, Restricted Activities and Restricted Methods relating to:

(a) species which are extinct in the wild;

(b) critically endangered species;

(c) endangered species;

(d) vulnerable species;

(e) species that require protection and are not listed in terms of paragraph (a), (b),

(c) or (d), including species listed—

(i) by the IUCN as Near Threatened, Data Deficient or Not Evaluated; or

(ii) in appendices I, II and III of CITES;

(f) any other indigenous species not listed in terms of paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d)

or (e);

(g) extra-limital species;

(h) alien species other than extra-limital species;

(i) species that require special management measures; and

(j) domesticated species.

The draft Regulations and Lists are enabled through Section 49 of the WCBA.

 The purpose of this notification is to inform Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs)/stakeholders that the following documents will be available for review and comment:

• Draft Western Cape Species Regulations; and
• Draft List of Species in Need of Protection or Posing a Threat to the Environment, coupled with a draft List of Restricted Activities which either require authorisation or may not be authorised (i.e. are prohibited) in terms of the WCBA, as well as a draft List of Restricted Methods relating to certain Restricted Activities.

Stakeholders are invited to submit written comments, concerns, and recommendations on the draft documents during the public review period of 11 September - 16 October 2026.

Copies of the draft documents will be circulated towards the end of this week.

I&AP/Stakeholder Engagement Meetings

Public meetings will be held to provide an overview of the proposed regulations and species lists and to afford stakeholders an opportunity to ask questions and provide input. Details for the meetings are provided below:

There is no requirement to register or RSVP to attend these sessions, but please note that venue can only accommodate a maximum of 100 attendees.

If you would like to be registered as an Interested and Affected Party (I&AP) and receive future correspondence regarding this consultation process, please provide your name, organisation (if applicable), contact details and preferred method of communication.   

For more information, please contact as provided below:   

Attention: Ms. Amanda van Reenen/ Ms. Tamera Pillay

Email: cesppp@cesnet.co.za

Subject Line: Cape Nature Section 49 of the WCBA

We encourage all stakeholders to review the draft documents and participate in shaping the future implementation of biodiversity management and species conservation measures in the Western Cape.