Insect Collecting

Collecting Insects In South Africa

Some overseas delegates attending the Congress may wish to collect insect or other biological specimens in South Africa. Many laws and regulations apply to collecting insects in South Africa and exporting them out of the various provinces and the country.

It is important to take note of the following:

• Official permits are compulsory to allow the collecting of any biological material in any conservation area and, for some provinces, on any private land.
• Export permits are compulsory for exporting any biological specimens from any province.
• Authority to grant collecting and export permits is devolved to agencies of the following institutions:
1. The nature conservation agencies of the nine respective Provincial Governments.
2. SA National Parks (SANParks), for collecting in National Parks.
3. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), for collecting in some State Forests and Wilderness Areas.

• Separate permits have to be obtained individually for each province in which collecting is envisaged, from each province from which specimens will be exported, and/or from any area under the jurisdiction of SANParks or DWAF.

Most of the required application forms and related documentation are available on the internet. Links can be found below.

The process of applying for collecting and export permits and gaining approval can be a lengthy one. Delegates are advised to start applying for permits as soon as possible. Several months advance notice may in certain cases be unavoidable.

Certain standard requirements will have to be met for any successful permit application, including the following:

• Collectors based outside South Africa need to collaborate with or be affiliated to a relevant South African institution. The name of the collaborating South African person, or a written endorsement by the South African collaborator, may be required.
• Collection in conservation areas will only be permitted for scientific reasons, and details of specific research projects for which specimens are required will have to be provided.
• Certain information on specimens targeted for collecting may be asked for in advance.
• A report will be required, with species lists where possible, on the work carried out under permit in any conservation area or other land covered by the permit.
• The future holotypes of all species newly described after being collected under permit have to be deposited in public specimen collections in South Africa.
• The prior permission of any land-owner is required to enter and collect on private property.

It is imperative that permit applications be completed correctly and in full, as neglecting to do so will result in applications being returned to the applicant and assessment being delayed. No guarantee is given that any permit will be issued.