THE TEMPERATURE

Hemp permit open

The department of agriculture, land reform and rural development has opened the application process for hemp permits.

Hemp was recently declared as an agricultural crop by the department under the Plant Improvement Act of 1976, which means it can now be imported, exported, cultivated and sold. The department said that although hemp and dagga are two names for cannabis, the commercial use of dagga, which has a higher tetrahydrocannabinol content than hemp, was prohibited.

The department said in a statement that the application process is part of the plan for the development and growth of the South African cannabis industry to contribute to economic development, job creation, inclusive participation, rural development and poverty alleviation. It said at least 25 000 jobs are expected to be created across the value chains.

Rescued turtles freed . . .

Two sub-adult green turtles that had spent five months in specialised care at ushaka Sea World were recently reintroduced to the ocean. They were released at Mission Rocks in the isimangaliso Wetland Park, which was identified as an ideal release site because it is in a Marine Protected Area.

Radiographs on Loki, one of the turtles found on Zinkwazi Beach in July last year, found problems with his lung tissue but, after months of treatment, he was declared fit for release. Thor, the other turtle, was also unable to maintain neutral buoyancy when he was brought in by the Kwazulu-natal Wildlife.

“Green turtles are one of the five species of turtles that find refuge in isimangaliso’s protected coastline,” said Jabulani Ngubane of the isimangaliso Wetland Park. “The turtles of isimangaliso have received significant conservation attention, producing a noteworthy increase in the turtle population.

Malini Pather, a senior aquarist at the South African Association for Marine Biological Research, said: “I’m delighted with Loki and Thor’s recovery and have no doubt that they will adapt really quickly again to their natural environment.”

. . . and thrive in Cape Verde

The number of loggerhead turtle nests on Cape Verde archipelago’s beaches have increased dramatically, the Good News Network reports. From 2015 to 2020, nest counts on the islands of Sal, Maio, and Boa Vista have risen from 10 725 to nearly 200 000.

“With environmental education, watching over 180 kilometres of beaches and applying new legislation that criminalises hunting and consumption of turtles, the catch rate has decreased significantly, from 8.25% in 2015 to 1.54% in 2020,” said Gilberto Silva, Cape Verde’s minister of agriculture and environment.