Click here for ENB's coverage of: Second Joint Meeting of the Animals and Plants Committees

LABELLING OF CAVIAR

Rod Hay, Oceania, acknowledging the contribution of TRAFFIC, recommended that exporting countries determine the precise type of label to be used, and that to avoid illegal trade, a ‘unique number’ be used for each exported item’s permit. He said further mechanisms are needed to extend this system to caviar re-packaging and re-export. Listen to the Real Audio.

Rod Hay, Oceania

Harriet Gillett, UNEP-WCMC,
 strikes a pensive pose

TRADE IN TIME-SENSITIVE BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES FOR CONSERVATION PURPOSES

Working group Chair Tom Althaus, Switzerland, noted a change in the title, referring to “biological samples for conservation purposes,” instead of “research samples” and outlined several tasks to be undertaken, including: identification of various types of samples transferred internationally; categorization of purposes for which samples are transferred in terms of commercial, non-commercial and conservation elements; categorization of recipient institutions; and the evaluation of the need for expedited transfer of samples. He identified future actions on this issue, including training seminars on the handling of time-sensitive biological samples by enforcement agents and streamlining the process of issuing CITES documents. Listen to the Real Audio.

Carlos Ibero Solana, Spain 

Carlos Drews, National University of Costa Rica

ANIMALS BRED IN CAPTIVITY FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES

Working group Chair Sixto Inchaustegui, South America, noted the development of a list of Appendix I species that are critically endangered in the wild and/or known to be difficult to breed or kept in captivity. He said the group considered a species as being “critically endangered in the wild” if: it is protected under national legislation by any range State; if there is a significant risk of increased levels of illegal trade; and if a species is listed in the IUCN categories “critically endangered,” “endangered,” or “vulnerable.” He said the group considered a species “difficult to keep” if the adult mortality rate in captivity exceeds the estimated adult mortality rate for wild population or if the species has highly specialized requirements for maintenance in captivity. A species is considered “difficult to breed” if: captive breeding operations are not self-sustaining; do not routinely produce viable offspring; and has undetermined reproductive biology in captivity. Listen to the Real Audio.

Choo-Hoo Giam, Singapore

Irina Sprotte, Germany

TRANSPORT OF LIVE ANIMALS

Working group Chair Irina Sprotte, Germany, said shipments in transit should be addressed and noted the lack of responses from major importing countries to the questionnaire on transport mortality. She also noted the need to review CITES guidelines for transport and their applicability. The Committee agreed with working group proposals to, inter alia: establish a standardized format for the presentation of data on mortality and injury in transport; conduct a systematic review of the causes of mortality and injury to animals; offer assistance to the Secretariat and the Animals Committee regional representatives to incorporate live animal transport into training workshops; conduct an evaluation of CITES guidelines for transport and preparation for shipment of live wild animals and plants; and liaise with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to expand education programmes on the transport of live animals. Listen to the Real Audio.

Delegate from the USFWS

Tim Inskipp, UNEP-WCMC

Tonny Soehartono, Asia, Chair of working group on turtles and tortoises

Soehartono identified the following priorities, which the Committee accepted: holding a technical workshop on trade, including participation by importer, exporter and government representatives; reviewing unlisted Asian turtle species to determine possible need for CITES listing, development and circulation of appropriate identification materials; and evaluating species for appropriateness for significant trade review. He said that Cuora amboinensis, Cuora flavomarginata, Cuora galbinifrons and Lissemys punctata should be reviewed. Europe proposed, and the Animals Committee accepted, adding Pyxis planicauda and Pyxis arachnoides for review, and noted the former merits immediate attention. 

Paula Henry and Victoria Zentilli, CITES Secretariat

REVIEW OF THE APPENDICES

Working group Chair Sue Lieberman, North America, reported that the group discussed the nine species reviews completed for this meeting and species and process for future reviews, recommending standardizing reports. On the reviewed species, the group recommended that: Macrocephalon maleo, Dermochelys coriacae, Schleropages formosus, and Probarbus jullieni be retained in Appendix I; Macaca fascicularis, Saiga tatarica, Python anchietae, and black coral (Antipatharia) be retained on Appendix II; and more information be solicited on Falco peregrinus. Species proposed by the working group, and assigned to Parties for immediate review, include: Cephalophus sylvicultor, Caloenas nicobarica, Anas aucklandica, Ara macao, Agapornis fischerii, Dermatemys mawii, Crocodilurus lacertinus, Cnemidophorus hyperyhthrus, Dyscophus antongilli, Bufo superciliaris, Ambystoma mexicanum, Rana tigerina, Cynoscion maconaldi, and Ornithoptera alexandrae. Listen to the Real Audio.

CORAL WORKING GROUP

Working group Chair Vincent Fleming, UK, highlighted the usefulness of a US guide for coral identification, recommending it be adopted and widely used as a practical guide for enforcement officials. On coral taxa, he noted that it was preferable to have accurate identification at the genus level rather than at the species level. He stressed using the ecosystem approach to corals conservation. The group said it would explore opportunities for synergy and collaboration with the International Coral Reef Initiative, the Marine Aquarium Council and the CBD. Listen to the Real Audio.

Keith Davenport, Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association

John Behler, WCS

SIGNIFICANT TRADE REVIEW

Working group Chair Marinus Hoogmoed, Europe, introduced a report on significant trade in cobra (Naja naja), musk deer (Moschus spp.) and sturgeon (Acipenseriformes). On cobra, he said it was agreed to place Naja sagittifera in category 3. On musk deer, the working group recommended that black musk deer (M. fuscus), forest musk deer (M. berezovskii) and alpine musk deer (M. chrysogaster) be on category 2, with Siberian musk deer (M. moshiferus) on category 1. He said the working group recommended the Animals Committee send questionnaires to concerned countries, and that if satisfactory responses are not received by the six-week deadline, the category will be changed to category 1. Hoogmoed noted that no consensus was reached on Acipenseriformes. Iran requested that sturgeon species from the South Caspian Sea be placed on category 2. North America expressed concern on the status of sturgeon throughout its range. IUCN urged interested Parties to provide information for future significant trade reviews. Listen to the Real Audio.

John Jackson III, Conservation Force

Participants say goodbye after a productive week

The ENB Team
From left to right: Nabiha Megateli, Alison Ormsby, David Fernau, Violette Lacloche, Rado Dmitrov, Mark Schulman

Conclusion of species?