Renewed world commitment to protect traded wildlife
14 Oct 2004
International Community acts to conserve Great White Shark, Humphead Wrasse, Ramin Trees, Agarwood and more at CITES CoP13 in Thailand.
TRAFFIC Oceania and WWF-Australia congratulated the international community today on a renewed commitment to protect a wide range of wild animals and plants threatened by unsustainable international trade.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, known as CITES, regulates international trade in species that are currently, or may become, threatened with extinction. With 166 member countries, agreement to regulate international trade under CITES represents a major decision by the international community to protect such species.
"Of special significance are the decisions to protect a number of marine species including the Humphead Wrasse and the Great White Shark, both of which are highly valued in international trade and whose global conservation status is threatened as a result. In an unprecedented move the CITES Parties unanimously decided to list Humphead Wrasse under CITES," Glenn Sant, Director, TRAFFIC Oceania, said.
The Humphead Wrasse, a large and distinctive coral reef fish, is the most highly sought after fish in the live reef fish food trade commanding prices of up to AUD$180per kilogram in Asia. It is found throughout the Indo-Pacific, including in waters off Australia.
The iconic Great White Shark has also been afforded increased protection under CITES following the adoption of a joint proposal by Australia and Madagascar with three quarters of the parties voting for the acceptance of the proposal. The jaws and teeth of the Great White Shark are highly sought after as curios and tourist souvenirs, with prices for large jaws reportedly reaching AUD$70 000.
"Harvest for international trade in both the Humphead Wrasse and the Great White Shark will now only be possible if such trade is proven to be both legal and sustainable," Mr Sant said. "Given the Great White Shark population has been reduced by 95 per cent in some areas this action could not have come sooner."
Significant decisions by the CITES Parties were not confined to the water. Ramin, a tropical hardwood mostly used in the manufacture of doors, furniture and smaller items such as picture frames and billiard cues, was unanimously agreed to be listed in Appendix II of CITES. Tree species producing agarwood, a resinous wood in high demand for its aromatic, medicinal and cultural uses, were also listed in CITES.
Mr Sant warned until tomorrow's closing session there was a risk discussion any proposal could be opened again and a new vote taken.
All countries noted that unsustainable harvest for trade was just one threat to these species.
"Problems of habitat loss and degradation associated with climate change, pollution and other human impacts are all contributing to the demise of many species in the wild. The suite of such impacts, including trade, needs urgent action to secure the long-term conservation of these wild animals and plants.
It is also critical to remember that many species are dependent on each other in the ecosystem, for example landclearing for timber trade can have dramatic effects on species dependent on that habitat."
For further information:
Contact Jacqueline McArthur, 02 82021242, Mobile 0408626780
Andy Ridley, 02 8202 1237, Mobile - 0415 865 992
