17 Jan 2007 - Gland, Switzerland – Proposals to amend the
lists of species subject to trade controls have been submitted
by governments ahead of this year’s meeting of the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES).
Parties to the wildlife convention submitted about 40 proposals
for discussion, ranging from the highly charismatic mammal
species such as the African elephant and leopard, to such
commercially valuable marine species as sharks, eels and
coral. In fact, one-third of the proposed animals listings
put forward are marine species.
“This greatly increased engagement of the wildlife trade
treaty in marine species and the regulation of the international
fisheries trade is a welcome trend,” said TRAFFIC International
Executive Director Steven Broad.
“This clearly demonstrates growing recognition of CITES
as a key tool to complement other conservation and management
measures for commercially important marine resources.”
Among the marine species proposals to be discussed are
proposals by Germany, on behalf of the European Union, to
list the porbeagle shark and spiny dogfish in Appendix II
of CITES, a listing in which the international trade of
these species would be closely regulated.
Populations of both species have dramatically declined
in the North Atlantic — by up to 95 per cent for the spiny
dogfish and 89 per cent for the porbeagle in the last 10
and 40 years respectively.
“International trade of these sharks is not controlled
and fisheries are ineffectively managed,” said Dr Susan
Lieberman, Director of WWF’s Global Species Programme. “It’s
crunch time for these species. There’s not a minute to lose.”
These are also proposals to list species of sawfish in
Appendix I (which would prohibit international commercial
trade) as well as spiny lobster, European eel, red and pink
coral and Bangaii cardinalfish in Appendix II.
According to WWF, there is also a worrying proposal from
Japan that asks CITES to review the status of all whale
species in Appendix I.
Marine species aside, four of the proposals submitted concern
the African elephant, including a proposal from Tanzania
to downlist its population of African elephants from Appendix
I to Appendix II.
Other proposals emphasize the sustainable use of wildlife.
Brazil has proposed transferring its population of black
caiman to Appendix II to allow for trade in the skins of
the reptile, while Bolivia has proposed a labelling system
for the fine silky wool sheared from live vicuña.
There are 17 different proposals dealing with plant species,
including a proposal to list seven species of Spanish cedar
under Appendix II. Widely used as a construction timber,
as well as for furniture and paneling, the listing would
regulate trade in the timber species through a system of
permits. There are also proposals to list Brazilwood and
three Dalbergia rosewood species in Appendix II.
In addition to the listing proposals, a number of key wildlife
trade issues on the agenda of the meeting will also be keenly
debated.
This includes determining issues pertaining to tigers and
the illegal trade in their skins and bones, and whether
conditions have been satisfied to allow exports of elephant
ivory from Botswana (20 tonnes), Namibia (10 tonnes) and
South Africa (30 tonnes) that were agreed to in principle
in 2002 .
All proposals will be considered at the next CITES meeting,
scheduled to take place in the Hague, the Netherlands, from
3–15 June 2007.
Joanna Benn, Communications Manager
WWF Global Species Programme
Sabri Zain, TRAFFIC International
