Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Plants have been used for centuries to treat a wide range of ailments in the history of all civilizations. However, a growing interest in medicinal plants requires appropriate management to prevent over-exploitation of target species. The challenge for scientists is to find equilibrium between resource exploitation and the maintenance of viable populations of target species. Sustainability of use requires an understanding of the ecological, economic and socio-cultural aspects of resource use and the interaction between these factors. This research focuses on the ecological and socio-cultural aspects required to underwrite species-specific sustainable harvesting systems for bark used for traditional medicine. The social survey conducted in the form of structured interviews with traditional healers reported 69 plant species used for medicinal purposes in the southern Cape. The results suggested that resource users are aware of the increase in demand for medicinal plants in general, attributing this to an increasing recognition of traditional medicines and increasing prevalence of diseases. Ocotea bullata (Endangered), Curtisia dentata (Nearly Threatened) and Rapanea melanophloeos (Declining), as well as Siphonochilis aethiopicus (Critically Endangered), Elaeodendron transvaalense (Near Threatened) and Cassipourea flananganii (Endangered) that do not occur in the area naturally, were identified as species in high demand for their medicinal bark properties. Given the high demand and concerns about over-exploitation, a need for further ecological research to develop sustainable harvest systems was identified. Two species, O. bullata and C. dentata, were selected from an earlier study on the response of several species to bark stripping, that was confined to a study period of three years after treatment. With this current study tree response to bark stripping and harvesting impact were assessed over a period of ten years to reveal the intra and inter-specific difference of wound occlusion (wound closure through bark-regrowth) and the anatomical decay consequences of bark stripping. This is, to the knowledge of the author, the first study to evaluate the structural-tree pathogen interaction following bark stripping on medicinal tree species in Africa. The results revealed species-specific differences in terms of both wound closure and efficiency in decay containment. O. bullata had a significantly better wound occlusion rate and a lower extent of decay. The relationship between tree diameter growth and the rate of wound occlusion allowed for the formulation of a preliminary model that will assist forest managers in developing bark harvest systems. Smaller trees showed poor bark regrowth and a significantly higher mortality, which suggest that a minimum tree size for harvesting needs to be stipulated in the harvest prescriptions. In contrast, C. dentata showed a much higher volume of decay within the stem, poor bark regrowth and a significantly higher mortality of bark-stripped trees. In conclusion, the harvesting of bark for C. dentata through bark stripping is not viable, and alternatives should be explored. O. bullata has a much greater potential for strip harvesting, both in terms of bark regrowth and the containment of wood decay following wounding. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Beskawings gebruik al vir eeue plante vir die behandeling van ‘n verskeidenheid van kwale. Die toenemende belangstelling in medisinale plante vereis egter oordeelkundige bestuur om die oorbenutting van teikenspesies te voorkom. Die uitdaging vir wetenskaplikes is om 'n balans tussen die benutting van hulpbronne en die handhawing van lewensvatbare populasies van teikenspesies te bewerkstellig. Standhoudende benutting vereis insig in die ekologiese, ekonomiese en sosio-kulturele aspekte van hulpbronbenutting, en die interaksie tussen hierdie faktore. Hierdie navorsing fokus op die ekologiese en sosio-kulturele aspekte wat nodig is om spesie-spesifieke, standhoudende oesstelsels vir bas wat vir tradisionele medisyne gebruik word, te onderskryf. Die sosiale opname, in die vorm van gestruktureerde onderhoude met tradisionele genesers, dui op 'n totaal van 69 plantspesies wat vir medisinale doeleindes in die Tuinroete gebruik word. Gebruikers is oor die algemeen bewus van die toenemende vraag na medisinale plante, en skryf dit toe aan groter erkenning van tradisionele medisyne en ‘n toename in siektes. Ocotea bullata (Bedreig), Curtisia dentata (Byna bedreig) en Rapanea melanophloeos (Afnemend), asook drie spesies wat nie natuurlik in die gebied voorkom nie, Siphonochilis aethiopicus (Kritiek bedreig), Elaeodendron transvaalense (Byna bedreig) en Cassipourea flananganii (Bedreig), is geïdentifiseer as spesies in groot aanvraag weens hul medisinale eienskappe. Die hoë aanvraag en kommer oor oorbenutting het gelei tot die behoefte vir verdere ekologiese navorsing vir die onwikkeling van oesstelsels vir die spesies. Twee spesies, O. bullata en C. dentata, is geselekteer van ‘n vroeëre studie oor die reaksie van verskeie spesies op basstroping wat beperk was tot ‘n studieperiode van drie jaar na behandeling. Die huidige studie was daarop gemik om die reaksie en impak oor ‘n periode van 10 jaar na behandeling te bepaal, en die intra- en inter-verskille van wond sluiting (wond sluiting deur die hergroei van die bas) en anatomiese verrotting na basstroping te beskryf. Dit is, tot die kennis van die outeur, die eerste studie om die struktuur-boompatogeen interaksie na basstroping op medisinale boomsoorte in Afrika te beskryf. Die resultate dui op spesie-spesifieke verskille in beide wond en die beperking van houtverrotting. O. bullata het ‘n betekenisvolle hoër tempo van wondsluiting en effektiwiteit in die beperking van houtverrotting. Die korrelasie tussen boomdeursnee-aanwas en die tempo van wondsluiting het die ontwikkeling van ‘n voorlopige model om bosbestuurders te help met die ontwikkeling van oesvoorskrifte, moontlik gemaak. Kleiner bome toon swak bas-hergroei en betekenisvolle hoër mortaliteit, wat aandui dat ‘n minimum grootte vir oesbome neergelê behoort te word in oesvoorskrifte. In teenstelling toon C. dentata ‘n baie groter mate van houtverrotting, het swak bas-hergroei, en ‘n betekenisvolle hoër mortaliteit van gestroopte bome. Ter afsluiting, die oes van C. dentata deur basstroping is nie lewensvatbaar nie en alternatiewe behoort ondersoek te word. O. bullata het ‘n groter potensiaal vir standhoudende basstroping, beide in terme van bas-hergroei en die beperking van houtverrotting na oes.

Thesis (PhD (Conservation Ecology and Entomology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is a growing appreciation of the importance of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and the role they play in the socio-economic wellbeing of rural communities and other stakeholders. Harvest systems to ensure sustainable harvesting are largely still lacking and overutilisation is of growing concern worldwide. In this study the science needed to underwrite management for sustainable use of NTFPs was explored. This was done using case studies of three different products harvested from natural forest in the southern Cape, South Africa viz. fern (Rumohra adiantiformis) fronds (leaves) as greenery in the florist industry, medicinal tree bark, and the corm (stem) of the geophyte Bulbine latifolia for medicinal use. The research approach enabled insight into the complexities of developing harvest systems for NTFPs, the input and expertise required to conduct applied research, and the variation in approach required for different products and plant growth forms. The study on R. adiantiformis showed that the adaptive management approach can be followed effectively with the development of harvest prescriptions for a species. Goalorientated, long-term monitoring, assessing harvest impact on the resource and natural fluctuations in population dynamics, are essential to verify that harvest prescriptions are sound and ecologically sustainable. However, if all relevant aspects are covered, the input required to develop and refine harvest systems through such monitoring may be extensive. Experimental stripping of medicinal tree bark showed that species respond differently to wounding, in terms of both bark regrowth and susceptibility to fungal and insect damage. The conceptual model and decision tree developed, demonstrated that tree response to wounding could be used effectively when choosing a management system for bark harvesting, and in informing prescriptions for strip harvesting. The proposed harvest system for the target species, as well as alternative options to meet the demand for bark can be successfully integrated with the existing multiple-use forest management system in the southern Cape. The study of the ecology and dynamics of B. latifolia showed that the species has a complex population dynamics and is abundant on the fynbos/forest ecotone, where it is associated with dry scrub forest communities. Although regeneration is sound, it has a slow rate of renewal in terms of corm diameter and length growth, limiting its harvest potential. The difference between ecotone and forest populations – in terms of population dynamics, plant demography and regeneration phenology – requires that consideration be given to differential harvest prescriptions for ecotone and forest populations. It was concluded that a simple generic process that provides for research to be focused on the relevant fields can be followed effectively with the development of harvest systems for NTFPs. However, sustainability also has a socio-economic and political dimension, further influenced by institutional arrangements. Considering the wide range of NTFPs used, socioeconomic circumstances and the dependence of rural communities on natural resources, a major challenge awaits forest managers in South Africa to develop harvest systems for sustainable use. Policy and decision makers need to appreciate the scientific skills and expertise, and financial resources required to realise this. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die belangrikheid van bosprodukte anders as hout en die rol wat dit in die sosio-ekonomiese welstand van landelike gemeenskappe en ander belanghebbendes kan speel, word toenemend besef. Oesstelsels om standhoudende benutting te verseker is grootliks afwesig en oorbenutting is wêreldwyd ’n toenemende bron van kommer. In hierdie studie word die wetenskaplike insette benodig om oesstelsels vir nie-houtbosprodukte te onderskryf, betrag. Dit is gedoen aan die hand van gevallestudies van drie bosprodukte wat uit natuurlike woud in die Suid-Kaap, Suid-Afrika, benut word, naamlik die blare van die varing Rumohra adiantiformis vir blommerangskikkings, medisinale boombas en die stam van die geofiet Bulbine latifolia vir medisinale doeleindes. Die navorsingsbenadering laat toe om insig te bekom in die kompleksiteit met die ontwikkeling van oesstelsels vir nie-houtbosprodukte, die insette en kundigheid benodig vir toegepaste navorsing, en die verskillende benaderings met verskillende bosprodukte en plantgroeivorms. Die studie oor R. adiantiformis dui aan dat ’n aanpasbare bestuursbenadering suksevol gevolg kan word met die ontwikkeling van oesvoorskrifte vir ’n spesie. Doelgerigte langtermynmonitering om die impak van inoesting op die bron en natuurlike fluktuasies in populasiedinamika te bepaal, is noodsaaklik om te kan aandui of oesvoorskrifte ekologiese standhoudendheid verseker. Die insette benodig om oesstelsels te ontwikkel en deur langtermynmonitering te verfyn, kan egter aansienlik wees. Eksperimentele basstroop dui aan dat boomspesies verskillend reageer op basverwydering in terme van bashergroei en vatbaarheid vir insek- en swamskade. ’n Konsepmodel en vloeidiagram vir besluitneming is ontwikkel en dui aan dat ’n boomspesie se reaksie op basverwydering effektief aangewend kan word in die keuse van ’n oesstelsel en die ontwikkeling van voorskrifte vir strookbenutting. Die voorgestelde oesstelsel vir die teikenspesies en ander alternatiewe om in die behoefte vir bas te voorsien, kan doeltreffend geintegreer word met die bestaande meervoudige-benutting woudbestuurstelsel in plek in die Suid-Kaap. Die studie oor die ekologie en dinamika van B. latifolia dui aan dat die soort goed verteenwoordig is in die fynbos/woud-ekotoon, dat dit geassosieer is met droë struikwoud, en ’n komplekse populasiedinamika het. Alhoewel dit goed verjong, het dit, gemeet aan stamdeursnee- en -lengtegroei, ’n lae groeitempo wat die benuttingspotensiaal van die spesie beperk. Die verskille tussen ekotoon- en woudpopulasies – in terme van populasiedinamika, demografie en reproduksiefenologie – vereis dat oorweging geskenk word aan verskillende oesvoorskrifte vir ekotoon- en woudpopulasies. ’n Eenvoudige, generiese proses wat verseker dat navorsing gefokus is op die toespaslike velde kan suksesvol gevolg word met die ontwikkeling van oesstelsels vir niehoutbosprodukte. Standhoudendheid het egter ook ’n sosio-ekonomiese en politieke komponent wat verder beinvloed word deur institusionele strukture. Inaggenome die wye verskeidenheid van nie-houtbosprodukte wat benut word, sosio-ekonomiese omstandighede en die afhanklikheid van landelike gemeenskappe van natuurlike hulpbronne, is die ontwikkeling van oesstelsels vir standhoudende benutting ’n groot uitdaging vir woudbestuursinstansies. Beleidmakers en besluitnemers moet ’n waardering ontwikkel vir die wetenskaplike kundigheid en kennis, en finansiële hulpbronne, wat benodig word om dit te bewerkstellig.

Text in English / The introduction of the New Growth Path (NGP) and the New Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) have created an opportunity for the industrialisation of indigenous medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs Amarula (Sclerocarya birrea), Buchu (Agathosma betulina), and Pelargonium (Pelargonium sidoides) for job creation and economic development in South Africa. The aim is to create a locally sustainable industry which creates jobs as well as improvement of the balance of payments. The National Growth Plan highlights some of the opportunities for industrialization as well as creation of decent jobs. There is increasing pressure on the harvesting of wild indigenous medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPS). The establishment of a local pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry for processing MAPS remains a challenge in South Africa and many low income countries. The objective of this study was to assess the challenges and their impact looking at particular species, Amarula, Buchu and Pelargonium by using structured focus group interviews with users in communities and businesses in KwaZulu Natal Province, Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. More data/information was also collected from key stakeholder companies including desk-top reviews. Data/information was analysed using the SPSS computer programme and the Atlas software to summarize data and the results. Graphs and tables were used where necessary. The qualitative research reported on some qualitative assessments and challenges facing the establishment of medicinal and aromatic plants in South Africa. Comparative findings from BRICS were also reported. The results of the study indicated that there is continuous exploitation of several medicinal plant species, for plant trade, from the wild and substantial loss of their habitat. The research identifies a number of challenges such as: poor standards for raw materials, lack of research and development linking industry driven revenues, demand exceeding supply, regulatory risk, community risk, lack of understanding of judicious agronomic practices, ethical challenges, liquidity risk as well as political instability fail to attract foreign direct investments. The research concludes that for the establishment of a viable local pharmaceutical industry, iii beverage industry and nutraceutical industry with sustainable harvesting, there are serious hegemonic challenges which will require multi-stakeholder analysis. However, for the South African (SA) industry to be competitive, detailed feasibility studies need to be done comparing SA with other BRICS countries. There is also a need for the Research and Development to be strengthened. It must also be linked into industrial development in the industry. Furthermore there is a need to initiate the incentivizing of the pharmaceutical manufacturing to lower the cost of setting up the businesses in the industry and lessen the need to harvest from South African forests. Furthermore there is a need for programmes of production so that key species are given opportunity for cultivation and the attention they deserve to preserve these depleting resources. / Agriculture and  Animal Health / M.Sc. (Agriculture)

A legislação ambiental brasileira obriga a maioria das propriedades rurais a ter Áreas de Preservação Permanente (APPs), que são áreas naturais protegidas devido à fragilidade física e ecológica, e Reserva Legal (RL), cuja função é a conservação da biodiversidade e a exploração sustentável. Em vista do passivo ambiental nas propriedades rurais brasileiras, no que se refere à RL, há uma demanda por estudos que buscam discutir estratégias para a recuperação dessas áreas. A possibilidade de exploração da RL gera uma expectativa de retorno econômico, ao mesmo tempo que essas áreas prestarão serviços ecossistêmicos importantes para a sociedade. Avaliações da regeneração natural sob plantios florestais homogêneos têm demonstrado que florestas plantadas para fins comerciais podem atuar como catalisadoras da regeneração natural a depender do manejo. Contudo, poucos estudos avaliaram a regeneração sob plantios puros de espécies nativas em regiões tropicais. Nesse contexto, para dar suporte à seleção de modelos que possam ser implementados na RL, em áreas cuja vegetação original seja de fisionomia florestal, testamos o \"modelo de mosaico\", que seria composto por pequenos talhões puros. Para tanto, utilizamos parâmetros de estrutura, riqueza, diversidade funcional e potencial econômico para avaliar plantios homogêneos (PH) de espécies nativas. No capítulo 1 comparamos PH com i) plantios mistos de espécies nativas e ii) com florestas nativas de referência em diferentes graus de conservação, visando avaliar se os PHs podem, em longo prazo, promover a conservação de biodiversidade e manutenção de processos ecológicos. No capítulo 2 avaliamos se a sucessão ecológica em PH é condicionada pelos atributos da espécie plantada ou por atributos abióticos, para identificar fatores que possam limitar o sucesso desses plantios. No capítulo 3 avaliamos se a exploração sustentável de madeira em RL a partir de PHs, que não foram manejados, é uma atividade economicamente viável frente a outros tipos de investimentos de longo prazo e outras opções de compensação de RL. Do ponto de vista ecológico, verificamos que PH com espécies nativas, que não sofreram manejo, podem, em longo prazo, promover a restauração das comunidades vegetais características de florestas semideciduais, tanto no aspecto estrutural, quanto na biodiversidade e funcionalidade. Os plantios homogêneos estudados apresentaram valores semelhantes para esses atributos ecológicos em relação a florestas de referência, inclusive às florestas maduras, que seriam a meta ideal de restauração. Em longo prazo, a estrutura (densidade e área basal) e o nível de riqueza das comunidades de plantas lenhosas sob esses plantios são muito pouco influenciados por filtros bióticos ou abióticos. O ritmo de crescimento da espécie plantada foi o único atributo que explicou parcialmente a riqueza e a densidade de indivíduos adultos nos plantios, embora não tenha exercido influência sobre a composição de espécies na comunidade em regeneração. Do ponto de vista econômico, verificamos que PHs de espécies nativas que não tiveram tratos silviculturais ao longo do seu desenvolvimento apresentaram valores para a taxa interna de retorno inferiores à poupança e valor presente líquido negativos. A compensação da RL por meio de arrendamento foi mais vantajosa do que a recomposição, mesmo considerando a venda de madeira. Destacaram-se os plantios de Handroanthus heptaphyllus, Myracrodruon urundeuva e Anadenanthera colubrina var. colubrina, cujo rendimento conseguiu superar os custos da recomposição, mesmo sem manejo adequado. Este estudo demonstrou que plantios de espécies nativas, ainda que homogêneos, podem ser utilizados para fins de recomposição de reserva legal, como proposto no \"modelo de mosaico\", pois conseguem recuperar a biodiversidade e garantir a funcionalidade dos ecossistemas em longo prazo, ainda que a composição de espécies seja distinta de florestas maduras, como tem sido observado também em plantios heterogêneos. A exploração da madeira, mesmo em áreas não manejadas, contribui para o aumento da rentabilidade de propriedades de pecuária e agricultura em longo prazo. A incorporação de tratos silviculturais adequados pode impulsionar a rentabilidade dessa atividade na RL, desde que sejam respeitadas as especificidades de exploração na RL, de modo a conciliar a produção de madeira com a conservação da biodiversidade. / Environmental legislation in Brazil states that most properties must have Permanently Protected Areas (PPA), which are natural protected areas due to its physical and ecological frailty, and also Legal Reserves (LR), aiming at biodiversity conservation and sustainable management. There is a huge demand for studies on strategies to recover and to manage LR due to environmental liability on rural private properties. Sustainable timber management is allowed in LR, and this may, potentially, provide economic return to the stakeholders, in addition to important ecosystem services to society as a whole. Reviews of natural regeneration under pure forest plantations have shown that planted forests can catalyse natural regeneration. However, few studies have evaluated the regeneration under pure stands of native species in tropical regions. In this context, aiming to support the selection of models that may be implemented in LR in areas which forest was the original vegetation, we tested the \"mosaic model\", which is comprised of small pure stands. We analysed the structure, richness, functional diversity and economical potential of homogeneous stands (HS) of native species. In chapter 1 we compared HSs with i) mixed plantations of native species and ii) reference ecosystems with distinct conservation status, aiming to verifiy if HS can, in the long term, foster biodiversity conservation and sustain ecological processes. In chapter 2 we analysed if ecological succession in HS is constrained by the species planted traits or by abiotic traits, in order to identify which attributes could restrict this type of planting in order to achieve the LR purposes. In chapter 3 we evaluated if sustainable timber exploitation from homogeneous stands, without silviculture practices, in LR is a viable economical activity in comparison with other types of long term investiments and other options for LR compensation. In the long term, from the ecological perspective, homogeneous stands with native species, without management except for the seedlings cultivation during three years after planting, can foster the restoration of seasonal forest plant communities in terms of structure, biodiversity and functionality. The homogeneous stands analysed had similar values for those ecological attributes when compared with reference ecosystems, including pristine forests which is the ultimate goal of restoration projects. In the long term, structure (density and basal area) and woody species richness under these stands are barely influenced by biotic or abiotic filters. Growth rate of the species planted was the only attribute that explained, in part, the richness and density of adult individuals in the stands, although it had no influence over species composition. From the economic perspective, homogeneous stands of native species without silviculture practices throughout their development had internal rates of return lower than saving and negative net present values. Compensation of LR through leasing was most profitable for the property revenue than restoration, even when timber exploitaition was included in the property income. Significant yields were assessed at stands of Handroanthus heptaphyllus, Myracrodruon urundeuva and Anadenanthera colubrina var colubrina, that exceeded the restoration costs, without any silviculture practices. This study demonstrates that native species plantations, even with only a single species, can be considered for the restoration of legal reserve, such as the \"chessboard model\", since they can foster biodiversity recovery and assure ecosystem functioning in the long term, even though species composition are distinct from pristine forests, which has been observed also in mixed plantations. In addition, timber exploitation, even in unmanaged areas, contributes for agriculture and livestock properties revenue in the long term. The incorporation of silviculture practices can bolster timber exploitation yield in the LR, as long as it considers the specificities for this activity in LR, in order to balance timber production with biodiversity conservation.

Text in English / The introduction of the New Growth Path (NGP) and the New Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) have created an opportunity for the industrialisation of indigenous medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs Amarula (Sclerocarya birrea), Buchu (Agathosma betulina), and Pelargonium (Pelargonium sidoides) for job creation and economic development in South Africa. The aim is to create a locally sustainable industry which creates jobs as well as improvement of the balance of payments. The National Growth Plan highlights some of the opportunities for industrialization as well as creation of decent jobs. There is increasing pressure on the harvesting of wild indigenous medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPS). The establishment of a local pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry for processing MAPS remains a challenge in South Africa and many low income countries. The objective of this study was to assess the challenges and their impact looking at particular species, Amarula, Buchu and Pelargonium by using structured focus group interviews with users in communities and businesses in KwaZulu Natal Province, Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. More data/information was also collected from key stakeholder companies including desk-top reviews. Data/information was analysed using the SPSS computer programme and the Atlas software to summarize data and the results. Graphs and tables were used where necessary. The qualitative research reported on some qualitative assessments and challenges facing the establishment of medicinal and aromatic plants in South Africa. Comparative findings from BRICS were also reported. The results of the study indicated that there is continuous exploitation of several medicinal plant species, for plant trade, from the wild and substantial loss of their habitat. The research identifies a number of challenges such as: poor standards for raw materials, lack of research and development linking industry driven revenues, demand exceeding supply, regulatory risk, community risk, lack of understanding of judicious agronomic practices, ethical challenges, liquidity risk as well as political instability fail to attract foreign direct investments. The research concludes that for the establishment of a viable local pharmaceutical industry, iii beverage industry and nutraceutical industry with sustainable harvesting, there are serious hegemonic challenges which will require multi-stakeholder analysis. However, for the South African (SA) industry to be competitive, detailed feasibility studies need to be done comparing SA with other BRICS countries. There is also a need for the Research and Development to be strengthened. It must also be linked into industrial development in the industry. Furthermore there is a need to initiate the incentivizing of the pharmaceutical manufacturing to lower the cost of setting up the businesses in the industry and lessen the need to harvest from South African forests. Furthermore there is a need for programmes of production so that key species are given opportunity for cultivation and the attention they deserve to preserve these depleting resources. / Agriculture and  Animal Health / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

Conservation criminology as a derivative of environmental criminology is considered in this dissertation through a strategic/empirical investigation of the illegal exploitation of a cross-section of certain, essentially fiscally attractive marine resources, as a form of environmental crime in the Western Cape province. Through primarily qualitative and quantitative interviewing techniques, augmented by the application of a survey questionnaire, significant and pragmatic insight was obtained from knowledgeable functionaries. The study elucidates the purview and dynamics of the marine crime phenomenon by focussing specifically on issues such as modus operandi, crime scenes, causation, operational efficacy, and social/biological repercussions. Deficient policing capacity and concomitant lack of deterrence, compounded by institutional limitations, emerge as fundamental proclivities impeding proficient marine resource conservation. It is envisaged that this study will broaden the frontiers of marine crime knowledge, contributing not only to the implementation of effective mitigation programmes but also to enriching the criminological discipline as a whole. / Criminology / M.A. (Criminology)

Conservation criminology as a derivative of environmental criminology is considered in this dissertation through a strategic/empirical investigation of the illegal exploitation of a cross-section of certain, essentially fiscally attractive marine resources, as a form of environmental crime in the Western Cape province. Through primarily qualitative and quantitative interviewing techniques, augmented by the application of a survey questionnaire, significant and pragmatic insight was obtained from knowledgeable functionaries. The study elucidates the purview and dynamics of the marine crime phenomenon by focussing specifically on issues such as modus operandi, crime scenes, causation, operational efficacy, and social/biological repercussions. Deficient policing capacity and concomitant lack of deterrence, compounded by institutional limitations, emerge as fundamental proclivities impeding proficient marine resource conservation. It is envisaged that this study will broaden the frontiers of marine crime knowledge, contributing not only to the implementation of effective mitigation programmes but also to enriching the criminological discipline as a whole. / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Criminology)