accepted by conservationists is that not all alien plants are undesirable. Many
varieties of trees introduced over the past 300 years have been a decided asset
and present no threat to our indigenous fauna or flora”. This remark is coupled with
another that reveals some insight to the prevailing sentimentality for certain alien
species “Trees improve any landscape and play a vital role in urban areas. They
soften the sharp edges of our cities and attract birds and other wildlife, bringing
nature into the heart of the city. . . . Collectively, the gardens of suburban areas will
play an increasingly important role in future in the total conservation effort, as
natural habitat dwindles. While at best suburban gardens and parks are an artificial
habitat, they can contribute to ensuring the survival of many species which might
otherwise disappear as natural habitat is destroyed.”
This sentimentality towards trees reveals a dualistic approach to the management
of alien species that persists today. On the one hand nationalist policies stimulate a
form of xenophobia towards all alien species. On the other hand, and in parallel,
there is a distinct nostalgia and cultural attachment to certain species. This may
explain why, for example, several of the trees that are still protected in terms of
section 12 of the National Forests Act (Act 84 of 1998) are alien trees. These include
the Araucaria heterophylla—Norfolk Island Pine—planted in 1826 by the wife of
the last Landdrost (magistrate) of Stellenbosch and a range of other trees associated
with historical milestones.
Under the report’s discussion on the conservation of freshwater aquatic environments and aquaculture in particular, the Council again noted the potential benefits of
aquaculture but provided the following caution “It is very important to recognise,
however, that as aquaculture is often based on the utilisation of foreign species of
freshwater fish, marron and shrimps, there is always the danger of these becoming
established in the wild to the detriment of natural species and the environment.
There is also the risk of the introduction of diseases which could be disastrous to
native fauna.” At the same time it also said that, “The early endeavours in aquaculture were largely concerned with the establishment of trout in the rivers of the Cape,
Natal and the Transvaal. By 1920 trout were well established and provided excellent
sport, even attracting anglers from overseas. Trout are still a great recreational
amenity in Natal and the Transvaal, but the Cape Department of Nature Conservation gradually phased out the breeding and distribution of trout by 1989. Trout were
considered a threat to small indigenous fishes, besides which the hatcheries were
required for the propagation of indigenous species. Because of the great recreational potential of trout angling, rivers which are suitable for trout should be
conserved.”
18.6.5 The Immediate Pre-democracy Status Quo
Although by 1993 biological invasion legislation had expanded beyond weeds to
include alien trees and animals, it still largely followed a ‘identify and direct’
approach. However, the policy drivers had expanded from purely economic ones
18 Biological Invasion Policy and Legislation Development
533
varieties of trees introduced over the past 300 years have been a decided asset
and present no threat to our indigenous fauna or flora”. This remark is coupled with
another that reveals some insight to the prevailing sentimentality for certain alien
species “Trees improve any landscape and play a vital role in urban areas. They
soften the sharp edges of our cities and attract birds and other wildlife, bringing
nature into the heart of the city. . . . Collectively, the gardens of suburban areas will
play an increasingly important role in future in the total conservation effort, as
natural habitat dwindles. While at best suburban gardens and parks are an artificial
habitat, they can contribute to ensuring the survival of many species which might
otherwise disappear as natural habitat is destroyed.”
This sentimentality towards trees reveals a dualistic approach to the management
of alien species that persists today. On the one hand nationalist policies stimulate a
form of xenophobia towards all alien species. On the other hand, and in parallel,
there is a distinct nostalgia and cultural attachment to certain species. This may
explain why, for example, several of the trees that are still protected in terms of
section 12 of the National Forests Act (Act 84 of 1998) are alien trees. These include
the Araucaria heterophylla—Norfolk Island Pine—planted in 1826 by the wife of
the last Landdrost (magistrate) of Stellenbosch and a range of other trees associated
with historical milestones.
Under the report’s discussion on the conservation of freshwater aquatic environments and aquaculture in particular, the Council again noted the potential benefits of
aquaculture but provided the following caution “It is very important to recognise,
however, that as aquaculture is often based on the utilisation of foreign species of
freshwater fish, marron and shrimps, there is always the danger of these becoming
established in the wild to the detriment of natural species and the environment.
There is also the risk of the introduction of diseases which could be disastrous to
native fauna.” At the same time it also said that, “The early endeavours in aquaculture were largely concerned with the establishment of trout in the rivers of the Cape,
Natal and the Transvaal. By 1920 trout were well established and provided excellent
sport, even attracting anglers from overseas. Trout are still a great recreational
amenity in Natal and the Transvaal, but the Cape Department of Nature Conservation gradually phased out the breeding and distribution of trout by 1989. Trout were
considered a threat to small indigenous fishes, besides which the hatcheries were
required for the propagation of indigenous species. Because of the great recreational potential of trout angling, rivers which are suitable for trout should be
conserved.”
18.6.5 The Immediate Pre-democracy Status Quo
Although by 1993 biological invasion legislation had expanded beyond weeds to
include alien trees and animals, it still largely followed a ‘identify and direct’
approach. However, the policy drivers had expanded from purely economic ones
18 Biological Invasion Policy and Legislation Development
533