06 Feb 2007 - Cape Town, South Africa – South Africa has
taken a decisive step towards stemming the illegal harvest
and trade of its endemic abalone populations by listing
the species under the Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The proposed Appendix III listing, which comes into effect
on 3 May 2007, requires all future international trade consignments
of South African abalone (Haliotis midae) — more commonly
known as perlemoen — to be accompanied by CITES documentation.
“The CITES listing has the potential to reduce illegal
harvest and trade in this valuable and sought-after marine
mollusc,” said Markus Bürgener of TRAFFIC. “However,
the listing alone is unlikely to secure results and much
will depend on the support provided to customs and CITES
officials in all countries through which the product is
traded.”
Perlemoen is one of three abalone species that can only
be found in South African waters. The meat is a highly valued
delicacy and considered to be an aphrodisiac in some East
Asian countries. Its shells are also sought after as ash-trays,
soap-holders and food receptacles.
Illegal exploitation of abalone in South Africa is believed
to be the most criminalized wildlife trade in Africa today.
Continued illegal harvest and trade could result in the
fishery becoming no longer commercially viable, and may
cause the closure of the legal fishery and with it hundreds
of jobs.
According to TRAFFIC, poaching of perlemoen has seen the
legal catch be reduced from 430 tonnes in the 2002/2003
season to 125 tonnes in 2006/2007.
“We are concerned that over-harvesting is threatening the
conservation status of the species and could impact on the
intricate balance of associated marine reef systems,” Bürgener
said.
While South Africa is the only country to have listed an
abalone species on CITES, he noted that many other abalone
exporting countries, such as Australia and New Zealand,
are also attempting to address poaching and illegal trade.
The majority of abalone harvested in South Africa is exported
to East Asia, with Hong Kong the major importer. Other major
destinations include Taiwan, China and Japan. Poached abalone
is frequently smuggled into the neighbouring states of Zimbabwe,
Mozambique and Swaziland, from where it is exported.
Although no abalone species are either commercially harvested
or legally traded through these countries, Hong Kong import
data have revealed imports of dried and frozen abalone from
all three countries. Poached abalone is also traded through
Namibia and this poses enforcement challenges since there
are legal commercial aquaculture operations in Namibia producing
and trading in perlemoen.
Despite efforts by the South African government to address
the poaching problem, the international nature of the trade
means that there is a need to secure the assistance of other
countries. This is most effectively achieved through the
CITES listing.
“We welcome the Appendix III listing of abalone as an attempt
to cut the illegal harvesting of this precious marine resource,”
said Dr Rob Little, WWF-South Africa’s Conservation Director.
“Apart from enhancing the sustainability of the abalone
stocks, it is critical that the millions of Rands lost to
the illegal poaching of abalone is turned into valued foreign
revenue.”
END NOTES:
• A CITES Appendix III is a list of species included at
the request of a CITES member country that already regulates
trade in the species and that needs the cooperation of other
countries to prevent unsustainable or illegal exploitation.
International trade in specimens of species listed in this
Appendix is allowed only on presentation of the appropriate
permits or certificates. CITES Parties can unilaterally
list a species in Appendix III at any time. The listing
would automatically enlist the necessary assistance of consumer
states in monitoring and regulating the trade in abalone.
Such a listing would require all consignments of the South
African abalone species to carry CITES documentation and
would be beneficial to both the aquacultural and wild-harvesting
industries. Customs officials in countries of import would
only permit consignments carrying CITES documentation to
enter the country.
• TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, is a
joint programme of WWF, the conservation organization and
IUCN - The World Conservation Union.
Markus Bürgener, Senior Programme Officer - TRAFFIC
East/Southern Africa
