PASA is pleased to welcome Carina Malherbe as a guest speaker at the PASA Expo 2026, taking place at Umfula Lodge in Parys.
Carina is an experienced environmental specialist and senior government official with approximately 26 years of experience in environmental management, biodiversity policy, legislation, compliance and enforcement.
An extensive environmental career
Carina currently serves as Director: Oceans, Coasts and Biosecurity Compliance within the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).
In this position, she manages and coordinates compliance with important environmental legislation, including the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) and the Alien and Invasive Species Regulations and Lists.
Her responsibilities include:
- Alien and Invasive Species permits
- Monitoring, control and eradication plans
- Environmental compliance inspections
- Biosecurity monitoring
- Joint compliance and enforcement operations
- Advising officials and stakeholders on environmental legislation
- Developing procedures for effective compliance monitoring
- Encouraging voluntary compliance with environmental laws
In 2024, the Biosecurity Compliance team managed by Carina received an award for making the greatest impact on compliance monitoring between 2022 and 2024.
Academic background
Carina holds a Master of Science degree in Systematics and Conservation Evaluation, which she completed cum laude at the University of Pretoria in 2005.
She also obtained:
- A BSc Honours degree in Botany, cum laude
- A BSc degree in Ecology
- Qualifications and training in environmental inspection, project management, science communication, public relations and public governance
Her academic background includes ecology, entomology, botany, biodiversity conservation and the management of alien and invasive species.
Experience in biodiversity and environmental policy
Throughout her career, Carina has contributed to the development, interpretation and implementation of environmental policies, legislation, strategies and management plans.
Her previous roles include:
- Director: Environmental Sector Advocacy and Coordination
- Biodiversity Officer responsible for Resource Economics
- Deputy Director: Heritage Policy Research and Development
- Director of the Ditsong Museum of Natural History
- Ecologist
- Agricultural Scientist specialising in ecology
She has also worked extensively with stakeholders, government departments, researchers and environmental organisations at local, national and international level.
Why this matters to aviculture
Alien and invasive species legislation has a direct effect on many bird keepers and breeders in South Africa. It is therefore important for aviculturists to understand their responsibilities relating to permits, recordkeeping, monitoring, control measures and responsible species management.
Carina’s knowledge of NEMBA, Alien and Invasive Species regulations, biosecurity and environmental compliance makes her participation at the PASA Expo especially valuable.
Her presentation will provide bird keepers with an opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of the regulatory environment and the importance of cooperation between aviculture, government and conservation authorities.
Join us at the PASA Expo 2026 and hear directly from one of South Africa’s experienced environmental compliance specialists.
Date: Friday, 4 September 2026
Venue: Umfula Lodge, Parys