WWF - WWF Tanzania office

HARMONIZATION OF FISHERIES LEGISLATION AND ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLANS AND RIGHTS BASED MANAGEMENT IN THE SOUTH WEST INDIAN OCEAN

2013-05-22

This report is comprised of eight components, and applies to the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO) countries Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa and the United Republic of Tanzania.

A review of fisheries legislation of SWIO countries in the context of harmonising and promoting shared and/or straddling stock management shows that existing legislation is generally weak and outdated, but five countries are currently developing new laws. Indicative legal text is provided for a wide range of legal provisions, including monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS).
A draft fisheries management legal agreement for shared or straddling fisheries resources in the SWIO range States, with bilateral and multilateral options is provided.

A review and assessment of the extent Rights Based Management (RBM) systems have been applied in the SWIO countries, including its practice and level of understanding, was undertaken. Although efforts are being made in some countries and fisheries to implement RBM systems, many concerns were expressed, including the need for better understanding of what constitutes RBM, data collection, training, awareness raising and substantial government commitment. Options for adoption, including piloting, were considered and supporting legislation reviewed. Development of RBM guidelines was also addressed and case studies were presented, including considerations for adopting RBM for tuna fisheries.

The extent of development and implementation of national and regional fisheries management plans was reviewed, including existing plans and those under development. The extent to which the EAF approach has been incorporated in fisheries management plans was described, noting that it depended mainly on support by EAF-‐Nansen which is currently assisting in the development of seven such plans in the region. In many countries, it was thought that EAF-‐Nansen work represents a positive step forward but that a clear basis for implementation was needed. National legislation was considered inadequate for ensuring full and effective implementation of the EAF.

An assessment and recommendations were given relating to the linkages and implications for improved regional fisheries management among the SADC Fisheries Protocol, COI-‐IOC Fisheries Strategy, the SWIOFC and IOTC, with a focus on MCS.

Community-Based Natural Resource Management Stocktaking Exercise in Tanzania

2013-05-20

The Tanzania Natural Resource Forum (TNRF) has embarked on a process to establish a series of dialogues on CBNRM. The aim of this initiative is to provide a platform for multi-stakeholder exchange of information, sharing experiences and agreeing on a common course for the success of CBNRM in the country. The platform will disseminate information on CBNRM successes, challenges and areas needing more focus in the natural resource sector, thereby promoting learning and providing opportunities to influence CBNRM practice and policy in ways that can lead to success. It is against this background that TNRF undertook a national stocktaking exercise on CBNRM (see attached terms of reference). This initiative is also part of the regional Southern Africa CBNRM Forum (SACF) of which TNRF is a focal point for Tanzania.

New Fisheries Act Lays Basis For Sustainable Fisheries In Mozambique

2013-04-23

The Mozambican Parliament has by consensus approved a new Fisheries Act which will address rights-based management of fisheries, mainly for the direct benefit of local fishermen and pro-poor conservation. The approval of this Fisheries Act makes Mozambique the first country in the Western Indian Ocean region to officially adopt legislation that embraces rights-based management of fisheries.

Rights-based management (RBM) is a fisheries management tool that creates rules which define both the right to use allocation of fisheries resources and the responsibility to manage them. Thus, fishermen, fishing vessels, fishing communities and so forth can be awarded a license, quota or fishing right to stocks.

According to Mozambique's Minister of Fisheries Mr. Victor Borges, the new fisheries act approved last week by parliament replaces the former one dated 1990.

"The previous act was out-dated and, therefore, not able to combat various infractions committed in this sector. In this new act, rights will be given to nationals for a certain period, depending on the fishery resource in relation to which the rights are given," said the Minister.

More than 100,000 Mozambicans depend directly on fishing and more than 530,000 depend on it indirectly according to Mozambique's Ministry of Fisheries. The new Fisheries Act is expected to give more rights to these fishermen along with addressing infractions in the fisheries sector that skew the playing field against local communities in Mozambique.

Mozambique lost revenues of US$67 million in 2012 due to illegal fishing, basically of tuna and shrimp, by foreign and national fishing vessels within its jurisdictional waters, particularly the bays of Maputo and Sofala Bank, Mozambican newspaper Correio da Manhã reported.

WWF Coastal East Africa Initiative Leader Peter Scheren congratulated the government of Mozambique for passing the act but noted that it is expected by many players in the sector that this new act will address loss of revenue with the aim of ensuring more socio-economic benefits to local communities whilst conserving precious and sometimes inadequate fisheries resources.

"This is a huge step taken by Mozambique to promote sustainable fisheries management, not only in Mozambique but also in the Western Indian Ocean region. We believe that this new approach will effectively empower local communities to actively manage their artisanal fisheries, bringing more socio-economic benefits to them while conserving fisheries resources," noted Mr. Scheren.

Fisheries experts have warned that mismanagement of fisheries is costing African countries between 2 and 5 billion dollars every year. Illegal fishing alone accounts for the loss of fish valued at 1 billion dollars every year from the waters of Sub-Saharan Africa. The new Fisheries Act will aim at addressing such losses related to Mozambique.

By John Kabubu

Civil Society Organizations help drive Marine Fisheries Policy Reforms in the Coastal East Africa Region

2013-04-17

The days of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) being relegated to the periphery in key marine fisheries decision and policy-making processes are fast coming to an end following various interventions by WWF's Coastal East Africa Initiative (WWF-CEAI) and other stakeholders in the Coastal East Africa region.

The formation of the Tuna Fishery Alliances such as the Tuna Fishery Alliance of Kenya (TuFAK), have provided an opportunity for CSOs to have a broader understanding of marine fisheries related issues, which have placed them in a position where they can influence national and regional marine fisheries policy reforms and management from an informed point.

CSOs involvement in tuna fisheries policy and reforms is expected to drive the Coastal East Africa states of Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique towards a direction where they may derive more sustainable benefits from tuna resources. This, in turn, will support economic development through increased revenue generation, enhanced income to local communities and employment creation.

According to WWF Coastal East Africa Initiative's Fisheries Programme Officer Edward Kimakwa, CSOs are playing roles they never had the opportunity to play before:

"In Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique, CSOs have been involved in the development of the respective National Tuna fisheries management strategies which have now been finalized with the support of WWF. We expect that the these strategies, once fully implemented by all key stakeholders, will play an important role in ensuring that tuna fisheries resources are utilized sustainably for the benefit of all," said Mr. Kimakwa.

Mr. Kimakwa further commended national fisheries management organizations and regional fisheries management bodies for giving CSOs and Non-Governmental Organizations this space. A similar process of developing the national tuna strategy with the participation of CSOs has been initiated in Madagascar.

In a rapid departure from the past where Civil Society Organizations were sidelined in important discussions and decisions involving marine fisheries resources, CSOs are now key fixtures in major forums through out Africa.

At regional level, the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO) CSO tuna forum significantly influenced the outcomes of the 1st Conference of African Ministers for Fisheries and Aquaculture (CAMFA) that was held in Banjul, the Gambia in 2010. The 1st CAMFA adopted most of the recommendations that were presented by the CSOs, including those from the SWIO.

Also, during The 3rd session of the South Western Indian Ocean (SWIO) Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Consultative Forum on tuna fisheries held on the 6th -7th of December 2012 in Mombasa Kenya and supported by WWF, SWIO range states Governments were urged to implement marine fisheries management and conservation decisions that they have since passed under the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) and the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) to the letter.

During the aforementioned meeting, the Chairman of TuFAK, Becha Hadley, noted that the current state of fisheries access arrangements does often not favour the SWIO states that own tuna resources:

"The present generation of fisheries access arrangements are of little benefit to SWIO coastal and island states that own invaluable tuna resources," said Mr. Hadley.

CSOs are therefore contributing to SWIO Coastal and Island states moving towards a common approach and voice that will help them secure a better deal in all external negotiations that relate to Tuna and other migratory species in the Indian Ocean region. Various studies have indicated that less than a tenth of the benefits of the fisheries flow to African countries.

SWIO governments are steadily buying into CSOs call and had a common position of "like minded coastal and island states" during the recent Tuna Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and Quota Allocation (QA) Criteria technical session that was convened by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission in Oman in February 2013. This sent a strong signal to the whole world that it is no longer business as usual on tuna matters in the SWIO region.

By Peter Scheren, Edward Kimakwa and John Kabubu

Uganda unveils the world's first Earth Hour forest

2013-03-14

Kampala, Uganda / Singapore: Preparations across the globe kick off for Earth Hour 2013 with the creation of the world's first Earth Hour Forest in the East African nation of Uganda, to fight against the 6,000 hectares of deforestation that occurs in the country every month.

WWF Uganda identified close to 2,700 hectares of degraded land, and set a goal to fill it with at least 500,000 indigenous trees as part of their Earth Hour 2013 campaign. Earth Hour 2013 will take place at 8.30pm on Saturday 23 March.

"We cannot afford to ignore this critical environmental threat we are facing today. So, we are calling upon every individual, business, government agency, friends and family members to join us in planting this new landmark for Uganda's environment," said David Duli, Country Director, WWF Uganda Country Office.

Businesses, government officials and individuals are quickly heeding the call and taking up the challenge set by WWF Uganda to reach their 2013 goal. Leading the way is Standard Chartered Bank - Uganda, which has already committed to plant close to 250,000 trees, and the Ugandan Minister of State for Water and Environment who has personally pledged to plant 1,000 trees.

"Earth Hour 2013 is the rallying point for millions of people in 152 countries and territories across the world to address the climate change challenge. It illustrates that it's within our reach and power to work together for a sustainable future," said Andy Ridley, CEO and co-founder of Earth Hour.

This tree planting initiative is one of thousands of Earth Hour's I Will If You Will challenges taking place worldwide. I Will If You Will is a campaign that encourages everyone to take a positive action for the environment, beyond the Earth Hour hour. In 2012, nearly 10,000 challenges were posted on YouTube.com/EarthHour driving more than 4.6 million people to interact with the challenges and 200,000 to accept challenges on the platform alone.

The action might be a simple lifestyle change or something that leads to political change. It might require 10 people to do something, or 10,000. I Will If You Will allows anybody – from a kid in a classroom to a President of a nation - to become the inspiration to their friends, family, colleagues and communities by sharing what they're willing to do to protect the planet.

Uganda's Earth Hour Forest is the second huge environmental outcome of the I Will If You Will campaign. In December, the Russian Parliament passed a strengthened law to better protect the country's seas from oil pollution after a petition carrying the voices of 122,000 people was successfully presented to the State Duma.

Join the Earth Hour global community and help save the planet at www.earthhour.org/signup.

Earth Hour 2013 will take place at 8.30pm – 9.30pm on Saturday 23 March

-ends-

For further information please contact:

Benjamin Vozzo, Earth Hour Global E:benjamin@earthhour.org Ph: +65 8223 1728

Mai Tatoy, Earth Hour Global, E: mai@earthhour.org Ph: +65 8223 1654

To join the global community head to:

Earth Hour www.earthhour.org

Facebook www.facebook.com/earthhour

Twitter www.twitter.com/earthhour

YouTube www.YouTube.com/EarthHour

Google+ plus.google.com/+EarthHour

Governments fall short on immediate efforts to curb illegal ivory trade at wildlife trade meeting

2013-03-12

Bangkok, Thailand - World governments at the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) on Tuesday opted against immediate trade sanctions against several countries that have repeatedly failed to tackle the trade in ivory.

"We're disappointed by the lack of urgency from governments to speed up the sanctions process against countries that have failed to act for years to curb the illegal ivory trade in their countries, while the slaughter of thousands of elephants continues in Africa," said Carlos Drews, head of WWF's CITES delegation.

"However we will be watching to see that CITES holds these governments to account in the coming year."

Despite an early discussion in CITES on potential trade sanctions against countries failing to regulate their ivory markets, governments did not enact those rules against offenders including Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Mozambique, Nigeria and Uganda.

Governments instead directed those countries to identify actions and deadlines to ensure progress in controlling illegal ivory trade before summer 2014, with the potential threat that they could face trade sanctions then if there was no significant improvement in the situation. The nine countries were given just over a year to show improvements in their performance.

"Governments have been aware for years about the lack of compliance by several countries. Forest elephants in Central Africa are declining rapidly and running out of time," Drews said. "We hope governments will speed up compliance measures against countries flouting restrictions on the ivory trade."

The worst offenders, including top demand countries China and Thailand, the host country for the meeting, as well as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malaysia, Philippines and Viet Nam, are expected to be discussed in a separate session on Thursday.

"We hope that governments will take a stronger stance against these countries considered the biggest problems when it comes to the illegal ivory trade, and that should include much more urgency than we saw today," Drews said.

Under treaty rules, CITES member states can recommend that parties stop trading with non-compliant countries in the 35,000 species covered under the convention, from orchids to crocodile skins.

Tuesday's decisions came as poaching of elephants has reached crisis levels. Up to 30,000 elephants are slaughtered every year to feed the illegal ivory trade. The ivory trade has been regulated under CITES since the early 1970s.

There were, however, several other measures adopted by governments to help curb the illegal ivory trade, including:

The creation of an Ivory Enforcement Task Force, which will allow for better law enforcement collaboration between countries
Better DNA-based forensic techniques to identify the origin of confiscated ivory
An acknowledgement of the need for demand reduction campaigns on ivory

For further information please contact:
Ian Morrison, ian.morrison@wwfus.org, +1 202 372 6373, +66 90 414 3853
Chris Chaplin, cchaplin@wwf.sg, +65 9826 3802

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

Additional CITES media materials are available at www.panda.org/citesmedia . For updates from the conference follow us on Twitter @WWF_media.

Governments fall short on immediate efforts to curb illegal ivory trade at wildlife trade meeting

2013-03-12

Bangkok, Thailand - World governments at the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) on Tuesday opted against immediate trade sanctions against several countries that have repeatedly failed to tackle the trade in ivory.

"We're disappointed by the lack of urgency from governments to speed up the sanctions process against countries that have failed to act for years to curb the illegal ivory trade in their countries, while the slaughter of thousands of elephants continues in Africa," said Carlos Drews, head of WWF's CITES delegation.

"However we will be watching to see that CITES holds these governments to account in the coming year."

Despite an early discussion in CITES on potential trade sanctions against countries failing to regulate their ivory markets, governments did not enact those rules against offenders including Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Mozambique, Nigeria and Uganda.

Governments instead directed those countries to identify actions and deadlines to ensure progress in controlling illegal ivory trade before summer 2014, with the potential threat that they could face trade sanctions then if there was no significant improvement in the situation. The nine countries were given just over a year to show improvements in their performance.

"Governments have been aware for years about the lack of compliance by several countries. Forest elephants in Central Africa are declining rapidly and running out of time," Drews said. "We hope governments will speed up compliance measures against countries flouting restrictions on the ivory trade."

The worst offenders, including top demand countries China and Thailand, the host country for the meeting, as well as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malaysia, Philippines and Viet Nam, are expected to be discussed in a separate session on Thursday.

"We hope that governments will take a stronger stance against these countries considered the biggest problems when it comes to the illegal ivory trade, and that should include much more urgency than we saw today," Drews said.

Under treaty rules, CITES member states can recommend that parties stop trading with non-compliant countries in the 35,000 species covered under the convention, from orchids to crocodile skins.

Tuesday's decisions came as poaching of elephants has reached crisis levels. Up to 30,000 elephants are slaughtered every year to feed the illegal ivory trade. The ivory trade has been regulated under CITES since the early 1970s.

There were, however, several other measures adopted by governments to help curb the illegal ivory trade, including:

The creation of an Ivory Enforcement Task Force, which will allow for better law enforcement collaboration between countries
Better DNA-based forensic techniques to identify the origin of confiscated ivory
An acknowledgement of the need for demand reduction campaigns on ivory

WWF statement on rhinos at CITES

2013-03-12

Carlos Drews, head of WWF's delegation at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) issued the following statement today in response to decisions from world governments to offer better protection for rhinos:

"Governments today made a clear choice at CITES to offer more protection to rhinos by agreeing on timelines that will help two of the worst offenders in the rhino horn trade, Viet Nam and Mozambique, clean up their act.

"This is a big step forward for the protection of rhinos, a prehistoric animal that are being butchered for their horns at alarming rates to feed demand primarily in Viet Nam.

"A record 668 South African rhinos were killed by poachers last year, and close to 150 have died so far in 2013 - we're already moving at a pace that could see even more rhinos killed for their horns than last year.

"The challenge now is to ensure that Viet Nam and Mozambique make progress on their CITES commitments within the agreed time frame to avoid trade sanctions in the summer of 2014."

Viet Nam is the main destination for rhino horn and is now required to implement a strategy to reduce demand in the country and ensure horn traffickers are prosecuted and strongly punished.

Today's success also means that Mozambique, a major transit country for rhino horn, must strengthen legislation and enforcement to reduce trade flows exiting the African continent. It is currently only a misdemeanour to smuggle rhino horns through Mozambique. The country shares a border with South Africa's Kruger National Park, home to most of the world's rhinos and also the epicentre of illegal killing.

Rhino poaching has hit record highs and is currently exacerbated by increasingly sophisticated criminal networks. There is also a marked increase in consumption in Vietnam, fuelled by claims that rhino horn cures cancer and hangovers.

For further information:
Ian Morrison, ian.morrison@wwfus.org, (US) +1 202 372 6373, (Bangkok) +66 904 143 853
Chris Chaplin, cchaplin@wwf.sg, +65 9826 3802

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

www.panda.org/news for latest news and media resources

Its Full speed ahead for Fisheries policy and institutional reforms in the South West Indian Ocean

2013-03-12

The Western Indian Ocean State's efforts to help bring about improved marine fisheries reforms and governance in the South West Indian Ocean range states are beginning to bear fruit following a recent decision to reform the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission from an advisory body to a full management body.

Through its Coastal East Africa Initiative, WWF has consistently lobbied the South West Indian Ocean range states of Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania and Yemen to strengthen their policy, legal and institutional framework in order to help bring about fisheries stock sustainability and increase socio-economic benefits to the over 65 million people that inhabit the coastal zone of the Western Indian Ocean.

During a special adhoc session of the South West Indian Ocean Commission (SWIOFC) held in Dar es Salaam Tanzania on the 27th – 28th of February 2013, members unanimously agreed and endorsed the decision to reform the SWIOFC from an advisory body to a full management body. This important transition will enable the Commission to facilitate binding and non-binding decisions that ensure adequate and professional management of fisheries in the region.

The member states furthermore decided to host the secretariat of the Commission in Mozambique, in an effort to bring the centre of coordination closer to the region.

Speaking during the meeting, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Tanzania Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries Dr. Johana Budeba welcomed the decision, noting, "The SWIOFC is an important Regional Fisheries Management Body and it is prudent that we put in place mechanisms and interventions to have it strengthened for improved fisheries governance".

WWF Coastal East Africa Initiative Fisheries Programme Officer Edward Kimakwa, speaking during the same meeting urged South West India Ocean member states to continue with their efforts to collectively promote sustainable development and management of the marine fisheries in the region.

"We need to see in the near future a situation where SWIO states are effectively controlling and equitably benefiting from sustainable marine fisheries stocks. Strengthening the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission as a fisheries management body will certainly go a long way in bringing about stock sustainability and increased socio-economic benefits to the SWIO coastal states," noted Mr. Kimakwa.

Fisheries experts have warned that mismanagement of fisheries is costing African countries between 2 and 5 billion dollars every year. Illegal fishing alone accounts for the loss of fish valued at 1 billion dollars every year from the waters of Sub-Saharan Africa.

The decision to establish a regional fisheries management commission comes at an opportune time considering that the South Western Indian Ocean Fisheries Project (SWIOFP) is coming to a close. The SWIOFP project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the World Bank, has been an important factor not only in establishing a much improved knowledge base on the fisheries of the region, but also in building up a strong coherence between the countries of the region.

The transformation of SWIOFC into a Fisheries Management Organisation is the icing on the cake for this project and provides an important basis for future interventions in the sector. WWF, in this regard, is engaged in discussions with the World Bank and other partners on a follow-up project that will build upon the success of SWIOFP and other initiatives.

By Edward Kimakwa, Peter Scheren & John Kabubu

New agreement between South Africa and Viet Nam - A turning point in tackling rhino poaching crisis, say WWF, TRAFFIC

2012-12-10

Ha Noi, Viet Nam, 10th December — A pivotal moment in efforts to tackle the current rhino poaching crisis took place today as the governments of South Africa and Viet Nam signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve co-operation between the two states on biodiversity conservation and protection including tackling illegal wildlife trafficking.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by H.E. Edna Molewa, Minister for the South African Department of Water and Environmental Affairs and H.E. Cao Duc Phat, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Viet Nam during a visit by Minister Molewa to Viet Nam. The main elements of co-operation outlined in the MoU include the field of biodiversity management, conservation, protection, law enforcement, compliance with CITES and other relevant legislation and Conventions. Based on equality and mutual benefit it comes into force on the date of signature and notes specifically that illegal wildlife trafficking remains a global challenge.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, H.E. Edna Molewa said: "South Africa is looking forward to receiving the close co-operation from Vietnamese partners to stop the illegal trade of rhino horns from South Africa to Vietnam."

H.E. Cao Duc Phat, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Viet Nam also recognised the importance of co-operation between the two countries, stating that: "Fighting against crime on wildlife regulations especially on the rare, precious and endangered species including rhinos and its derivatives are always of concern to the Vietnam government."

He stressed: "The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in co-operation with related ministries and agencies, are submitting the Prime Minister to issue a Decision on banning the import of all rhino specimens to Vietnam in 2012."

Although the MoU between South Africa and Viet Nam refers only in general terms to addressing illegal wildlife smuggling, there are clear indications that rhino horn trafficking will be top of the new agenda on co-operation between the two nations.

"WWF and TRAFFIC welcome the new agreement, which marks a turning point in efforts to protect Africa's rhinos and look forward to seeing action being undertaken by both countries to end the current rhino poaching crisis," said Stuart Chapman, WWF-Greater Mekong Conservation Director.

"South Africa and Viet Nam have publicly signalled their intention to get tough on the criminal syndicates behind the rhino poaching spree," said Chapman.

Currently hundreds of rhinos are being poached each year in South Africa, their horns hacked off and smuggled to meet the soaring demand in Viet Nam, where rhino horn is in demand as a supposed "miracle medicine", despite a lack of supporting medical evidence.

Asian-run criminal syndicates are believed to be behind much of the crime, with couriers paid to smuggle poached horns from Africa to Asia, where they end up in the hands of wealthy Vietnamese. TRAFFIC's report released in August 2012 identified Viet Nam as the prime destination for much of the illegal rhino horn.

Rhino poaching numbers in South Africa have surged from 13 in 2007, to over 600 in 2012. In addition, there have been 246 people arrested in connection with the poaching of rhinos and the illegal trade of rhino horn in South Africa in 2012 alone.

In 2010, TRAFFIC convened a meeting between South African enforcement officials and their counterparts in Viet Nam to establish links between the two as part of a major effort to address the rhino horn crisis. This meeting and a subsequent return visit by Vietnamese officials to South Africa, laid the foundation for today's intergovernmental agreement.

"Rhino poaching is a key burning conservation issue, and through the public commitments of the two governments at this signing ceremony today, we have seen promising beginnings of collaborative action. This commitment now needs to be turned into urgent action to turn the crisis around," said Dr. Naomi Doak, Coordinator of TRAFFIC Southeast Asia–Greater Mekong Programme.

"The world's rhino populations are hanging by a thread, and today the opportunity was taken to throw them another lifeline," said Dr. Doak.

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WWF and its partner TRAFFIC, the wildlife monitoring network, are campaigning for greater protection of threatened species such as rhinos, tigers and elephants. In order to save endangered animals, source, transit and demand countries must all improve co-operation, law enforcement, customs controls and judicial systems. WWF and TRAFFIC are also urging governments to undertake demand reduction efforts to curb the use of endangered species products.

For further information or to schedule an interview with WWF or TRAFFIC, please contact:

WWF-Viet Nam and TRAFFIC in Viet Nam:
Tu, Nguyen Thi
WWF-Viet Nam
Email: tu.nguyenthi@wwfgreatermekong.org, Mob: +84 914419174

Brett Tolman
TRAFFIC Southeast Asia – Greater Mekong Programme
Email: brett.tolman@traffic.org, Mob: +84 1678020765

WWF International and TRAFFIC International:

Elisabeth McLellan
WWF International
Email: LMcLellan@wwfint.org,
Tel.: Mob : +41 79 212 9312

Richard Thomas
TRAFFIC International
Email: richard.thomas@traffic.org
Tel.: +44 752 6646 216

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organisations, with more than 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

About TRAFFIC
TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.

To learn more about WWF and TRAFFIC's campaign visit panda.org/killthetrade and follow us on Twitter @WWF_media, and www.facebook.com/vietnamWWF

Tana River Delta Ramsar Site Status a Plus for Coastal East Africa

2012-11-23

Conservation efforts by WWF and other environmental organizations have continued to forge ahead following Kenya designating the Tana River Delta as a Wetland of International Importance. With the Ramsar Secretariat's announcing that the Tana River Delta is now a Ramsar Site, the 163,600-hectare delta (02°27'S 040°17'E) becomes East Africa's second most important river mouth wetland after the Rufiji Delta in neighbouring Tanzania.

Kenya already has 5 designated Ramsar sites in the Great African Rift Valley, namely lakes Naivasha, Elementaita, Nakuru, Bogoria, and Baringo; providing enhanced tourism, employment for Kenya's tourism sector, vibrant horticultural industry around Lake Naivasha, steam geysers in Lake Bogoria, and Kenya's first sanctuary for the critically endangered black rhino in Lake Nakuru National Park. In total, Kenya's 6 Ramsar Sites cover 265,449 hectares.

The Tana Delta forms an area of rich biodiversity for sea species including fish and prawns, five species of marine turtles. There are a host of terrestrial animals such as the African Elephant, Tana Mangabey, Tana River Red Colobus, and White Collared monkey. In addition to more than 600 plant species, the Tana Delta is a home for many bird species and is a critical transit point for migratory water birds such as waders, gulls and terns.

According to Coastal East Africa Initiative leader Peter Scheren, the importance of the Tana Delta to Coastal East Africa cannot be underscored enough considering the numerous challenges facing the region.

"The Tana Delta is an important ecosystem for Coastal East Africa which continues to face several challenges. Statistics indicate that a mere 10% of the original coastal forests of Eastern Africa remain, fragmented into 400 patches that cover 6,250km² in Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. The fact that the Tana Delta is now the latest Ramsar Site in Africa is a boost in efforts to conserve the remaining forest cover and help secure the livelihoods of communities' dependent upon this important ecosystem," noted Mr. Scheren

Currently, over 20 million people live in and along coastal forests and landscapes in eastern Africa. The survival of these people is highly dependent on the availability of basic natural resources such as timber, wood-fuel and charcoal, which are extracted from forests, causing a serious dilemma; their dependency and consequent exploitation of these resources destroying the very basis of their existence. The pressures are rapidly rising as the population is expected to double by 2030 putting a serious and already present strain on the meager natural resources present in Coastal East Africa.

WWF implements several conservation projects at the Kenyan coast including the rehabilitation and protection of the Kaya and Boni Dodori forests, the conservation of sea turtles and livelihood enhancing activities.

By John Kabubu
Communications Officer
WWF Coastal East Africa Initiative

Countries fail to protect endangered species from illegal trade

2012-07-23

Geneva – Poor performances by key countries are threatening the survival of wild rhinos, tigers and elephants, a new WWF report has found. The analysis, released as governments gather in Geneva this week to discuss a range of issues related to wildlife trade, rates 23 of the top African and Asian nations facing high levels of poaching and trafficking in ivory, rhino horn and tiger parts.

The report, entitled Wildlife Crime Scorecard: Assessing Compliance with and Enforcement of CITES Commitments for Tigers, Rhinos and Elephants, examines of the many countries considered as range, transit or consumer countries for these species. It gives countries scores of green, yellow or red for each animal, as applicable, as an indicator of recent progress. WWF has found that illegal trade persists in virtually all 23 countries reviewed, but the scorecard seeks to differentiate between countries where it is actively being countered from those where current efforts are entirely inadequate.

Asian demand drives poaching

Among the worst performers is Viet Nam that received two red scores, for rhinos and tigers. Viet Nam is identified in the report as the top destination country for rhino horn, which has fuelled a poaching crisis in South Africa. A record 448 South African rhinos were killed for their horns in 2011 and the country, which itself receives a yellow for rhinos, has lost an additional 262 already this year. According to the report, many Vietnamese have been arrested or implicated in South Africa for acquiring rhino horns illegally, including Vietnamese diplomats.

"It is time for Viet Nam to face the fact that its illegal consumption of rhino horn is driving the widespread poaching of endangered rhinos in Africa, and that it must crack down on the illegal rhino horn trade. Viet Nam should review its penalties and immediately curtail retail markets, including Internet advertising for horn," said Elisabeth McLellan, Global Species Programme manager at WWF.

Inadequate enforcement of domestic ivory markets in China is also highlighted in the report. China receives a yellow score for elephants indicating a failure by the country to effectively police its legal ivory markets. "The ongoing flow of large volumes of illegal ivory to China suggests that such ivory may be moving into legal ivory trade channels," the report says.

China is urged to dramatically and consistently improve its enforcement controls for ivory and to communicate to Chinese nationals in Africa that anyone caught importing illegal wildlife products into China would be prosecuted, and if convicted, severely penalized.

Poaching crisis across Africa

Tens of thousands of African elephants are being killed by poachers each year for their tusks and China and Thailand are top destinations for illegal African ivory. Thailand receives a red score for its failure to close a legal loophole that makes it easy for retailers to sell ivory from poached African elephants.

"In Thailand, illegal African ivory is being openly sold in up-scale boutiques that cater to unsuspecting tourists. Governments will be taking up this troubling issue this week. So far Thailand has not responded adequately to concerns and, with the amount of ivory of uncertain origin in circulation, the only credible option at this stage is a ban on ivory trade," McLellan said.

Elephant poaching is at crisis levels in Central Africa, where rhinos were likely poached to extinction. Last year witnessed the elephant highest poaching rates across the continent since records began. Early this year hundreds of elephants were killed in a single incident in a Cameroon national park. "Given the escalation of elephant poaching in Africa and the increased levels of organized crime involved in the trade, it is clear that the situation is now critical," the report found.

Wildlife crime not only poses a threat to animals, but is a risk to people, territorial integrity, stability and rule of law. Regional cooperation is needed in Central Africa to counter the flows of illegal ivory and arms spilling across borders. WWF commends Central African governments for signing a regional wildlife law enforcement plan and urges them to make its implementation a top priority, allocating resources to the plan and improving the efficacy of prosecutions for those implicated in poaching or illegal trade.

"Although most Central African countries receive yellow or red scores for elephants, there are some encouraging signals. Last month Gabon burned its entire ivory stockpile, to ensure that no tusks would leak into illegal trade, and President Ali Bongo committed to both increasing protections in the country's parks and to ensuring that those committing wildlife crimes are prosecuted and sent to prison," said WWF Global Species Programme manager Wendy Elliott.

Best performers

Other bright spots from the report are green scores for India and Nepal for each of the three species groups. In 2011, Nepal celebrated a year without any rhino poaching incidents, which was largely attributed to improvements to anti-poaching and other law enforcement efforts.

WWF's Wildlife Crime Scorecard is being released as member countries of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) hold their annual Standing Committee meeting. The conservation organization is set to launch a global campaign to fight illegal wildlife trade, which is putting the future of elephants, rhinos and tigers at risk. Learn more at panda.org/wildlifecrime.

JOINT STATEMENT ON THE STATUS OF ELEPHANT POPULATION IN SELOUS –NIASSA ECOSYSTEM

2012-07-17

On the understanding that Mozambique and Tanzania share the same border, WWF facilitated a joint meeting between the two countries to discuss and share information on the status of transboundary elephant population.

The aim of the transboundary cooperation between the two countries is driven by several factors, among others include (i) sharing of experience, (ii) identifying management challenges, (iii) gaining common understanding of the status and distribution of species, elephants in particular (iv) possibilities of future cooperation (v) discussing/sharing survey results.

Both countries conducted aerial wildlife census in the dry season of 2011. In Tanzania, the survey covered 106, 933Km2 in the Selous-Mikumi Ecosystem and Selous-Niassa Wildlife Corridor. In Mozambique, the survey covered 69, 769 Km2 in Northern Mozambique particularly in the Niassa and Cabo Delgado Provinces. The two surveys were done independently, in Tanzania, the survey was conducted by the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), and in the Mozambique side, it was conducted by SGDRN under the supervision of Dr. Colin Craig. The surveys generally followed similar methodology based on universally accepted methods.

In Mozambique side, results revealed that most of the elephants were estimated to be within the Niassa Reserve (12,029, ranging from 9,498 – 14,560 within 95% confidence interval) with few estimates in the West (Sanga) and Quirimbas in the east. The extent of elephant population range to the South of the reserve (Nipepe, Marrupa and Majune) is unknown. The Selous-Mikumi Ecosystem holds a population of 53,488 (range 41,109 – 65867 within 95% confidence interval) of which 75% were found inside Selous Game Reserve.

In Mozambique there has been a four-fold increase in number of carcasses in Niassa Reserve which resulted in approximately 2,667 additional carcasses since 2009; it is suspected that most of these are a result of illegal hunting. In Tanzania, 4,159 elephant carcasses were estimated in the 2011 survey, which is a three-fold increase compared to the 2009 survey the majority of which are suspected to have been hunted illegally.
Evidence from these surveys confirms the alarming increase in the poaching of elephants in both countries, which is unsustainable if not stopped.

Therefore, both parties agreed that, there is a need for future collaboration in conducting synchronized aerial wildlife census and sharing the results. These will be shared with relevant management authorities in curbing transboundary illegal activities between the two countries.

Towards a Green Economy in Coastal East Africa

2012-06-14

The economies of Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique are largely based on natural resource use and extraction (natural gas, oil, minerals, agriculture, tourism, fisheries, timber, etc.). There is an increasing recognition that the "Green Economy" principles are therefore highly applicable to these countries as a basis for stimulating economic growth, well-being and job creation. New revenue to be generated by growing oil, gas and mineral extraction sectors can play a strong role in supporting sustainable development and the transition to a Green Economy. In addition, the potential for renewable energy generation (wind, geothermal, hydro, solar, etc.) in the region is enormous. Various initiatives in this regard are already underway.

Given the similarities of the economies of the three countries including shared resources and cross border trade, the countries have embarked upon a sub-regional initiative geared towards sharing experiences and lessons learned on Green Economy between the three countries and beyond. Partners in this process include UNDP, UNEP, ILO, the African Development Bank, the World Bank, the International Institute of Environment and Development, the Millennium Institute, WWF, Care International, UN-HABITAT and the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED). This partnership was solidified during a sub-regional Conference on Green Economy held in Maputo, Mozambique from the 23rd to 25th April 2012.

AfDB and WWF to launch Africa Ecological Footprint Report

2012-05-31

Arusha, Tanzania: The African Development Bank (AfDB) and global conservation group WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) have launched today a joint report on the state of Africa's environment.

The Africa Ecological Footprint Report: Green Infrastructure for Africa's Ecological Security takes stock of the health of Africa's ecosystems, as well as trends in resources use patterns. It also lays out recommendations on implementing green development pathways for Africa.

This report is intended to stoke up thinking on greener development in Africa and to rally action by policy-makers and investors in the lead-up to Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development taking place later this month in Brazil.

"Africa has choices", underlines AfDB President, Donald Kaberuka. "Embracing a more sustainable approach to development can generate benefits in terms of environmental security, human wellbeing, and increased competitiveness."

The Africa Ecological Footprint Report 2012 outlines two alarming trends, which if not addressed by policy-makers and investors are likely to lead to important social and economic impacts. First, by tracking the changes in wildlife populations as a proxy for ecosystem health, the Africa Living Planet Index shows a decline of nearly 40% in biodiversity in the last four decades. This decline reflects a degradation of the natural systems upon which Africa's current and future prosperity depends.

Second, rapid population growth and increasing prosperity are changing consumption patterns, with the result that Africa's ecological footprint – the area needed to generate the resources consumed by the people who live here – has been growing steadily. While Africa's total ecological footprint is set to double by 2040 in a business-as-usual scenario, the good news is that Africa is in an advantageous position to act. It is endowed with tremendous natural resources, which, if managed properly, will be able to meet the needs of a growing population. And its relatively low footprint may be maintained if forward-looking and large-scale solutions can be mobilised in the areas of renewable energy, urban planning, and sound management of forests, water and marine resources.

The opportunity and urgency to act to ensure adequate and equitable access to water, fuel and food in the coming decades is highlighted by Jim Leape, WWF Director General.

"Our ecological infrastructure – terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems – is as essential to human development as are industrial and social infrastructures such as roads, schools, hospitals and energy provision," said WWF's Jim Leape. "The Africa Ecological Footprint Report showcases successful and scalable initiatives across Africa in renewable energy, integrated water resource management, ecotourism and forest conservation. The report offers concrete recommendations for maintaining Africa's natural capital as the foundation for sustainable and inclusive development and I urge decision-makers to act on them."

Donald Kaberuka and Jim Leape launched the report together on 1 June as part of the AfDB's Annual Meetings in Arusha. The event, attended by AfDB senior staff, government ministers, NGO representatives, African business and financial leaders, and the African and international media, is intended to inspire interest and action from these key decision-makers. The report will also be featured at a side event of the Rio+20 conference in June.

AfDB and WWF formally entered into a partnership last July, agreeing to initially focus on three areas of cooperation: developing win-win partnerships with emerging economies and strengthening South-South cooperation; catalysing knowledge sharing and knowledge products for green growth and sustainable development; collaborating on energy and water resource management; and climate change. This report is the first joint product of this partnership.

With a recent tripling of its capitalisation to USD 100 billion, the AfDB is the most important multilateral institution financing development in Africa. As the continent faces rapid economic and population growth, and growing resource and climate pressures, the AfDB plays an essential role in ensuring sustainable and equitable development.

WWF is the world's largest environmental non-governmental organisation and has been active in Africa since its foundation more than 50 years ago. WWF works together with governments, businesses and local communities to deliver conservation and sustainable development worldwide.

To download the report, and to find out more, go to: www.panda.org/lpr/africa2012 or www.afdb.org.

WWF International Board reports on incidences of fraud in Tanzania

2012-05-28

The Board of WWF International has released a report on the incidences of fraud in Tanzania.

Towards a Green Economy in Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya

2012-04-26

In June 2012, Rio de Janeiro will be the stage for the UN Summit "Rio + 20" that will reflect on achievements spanning 20 years since the "Earth Summit" – The UN Conference on Environment and Development – held in the same city in 1992. One of the key themes of this Summit will be the progress to "Green Economies for Sustainable Development and Poverty Alleviation".

It is within this paradigm that the conference 'Towards a Green Economy in Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya and the Role of Strategic Environmental Assessment' took place in Maputo, Mozambique between 23rd and 27th April 2012.

"The main objectives of the three-country Conference on Green Economy were to advance road maps to a green economy and agree on post-Rio regional process, collaborate on their implementation, as well as to promote integration of Strategic Environmental Assessment in future green economy planning processes," said Dr. Peter Scheren, Regional Coordinator of WWF's Coastal East Africa Programme.

The economies of the three countries are largely based on natural resources extraction (natural gas, oil, minerals, agriculture, tourism, fisheries and timber trade). The management of this 'natural capital' is crucial in order to allow the countries lift out of poverty, create jobs and ensure long-term livelihood of the population.

Currently, this 'natural capital' is under-valued as key economic assets and consequently over-exploited for short-term benefits. Fortunately, all countries in the region are already working, to varying extent, towards implementation of Green Economy principles. The heightened attention raised by the 'Rio +20' conference offers an opportunity to scale-up this progress.

"At this moment, Mozambique is in the process of preparing its country report to the Rio +20 Summit. The country is also preparing its roadmap for a green economy with a focus on three sectors that will be considered more in-depth; agriculture, energy and urban planning," said Her Excellency Alcinda de Abreu, Minister for the Coordination if Environmental Affairs, Mozambique, during the conference's opening session.

One of the key conclusions of the Conference was that some key sectors provide excellent opportunities to drive Green Economy at country level. These sectors are agriculture, forestry, fisheries, tourism, urban development and renewable energy.

In regard to the latter, the Conference concluded that the potential for renewable energy (wind, geothermal, hydropower, solar, etc.) in the region are enormous and there was an urge for Governments to create the necessary enabling conditions (policies, regulations, tax incentives, etc.) to advance investments in this sector.

There are commonalities between the economies of the three countries–including the aspect of shared resources and cross-border trade. The delegates recommended further regional cooperation and exchange of experiences and lessons between the countries. They further defined and agreed upon a regional roadmap towards a Green Economy, including the roles of various partners therein.

Considering the profile and importance of Rio +20, it was recommended that a regional side event would be organized at the Conference. Here, government delegates and partners could solidify and launch a regional partnership for a Green Economy. In the same regard, it was recommended that further opportunities should be investigated to advance the regional partnership through side events at the upcoming Conference of African Ministers of Environment (Dar es Salaam, September 2012) and the Nairobi Convention Conference of Parties (Maputo, December 2012).

The Conference brought together representatives from various key Government Ministries in Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique, including Planning, Finance, Environment, Fisheries, Forests, Agriculture, Tourism, Mining and Energy, and Education, to discuss prospects and progress made in the implementation of Green Economy principles in their respective countries. The Conference furthermore involved a number of key partners in support of this process: UNDP, UNEP, ILO, the African Development Bank, the International Institute of Environment and Development, the Millennium Institute, WWF, Care International and the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED).

Cross border illegal loggers face new obstacle in Tanzania Mozambique forest agreement

2012-04-17

Maputo, Mozambique: A new forest cooperation agreement to be signed tomorrow between Mozambique and Tanzania will dramatically increase the effectiveness of measures to stop rampant illegal logging and timber trading across the border.

The memorandum of understanding between the National Directorate of Land and Forests of Mozambique (DNTF) and the Forestry and Beekeeping Division (FBD) of Tanzania outlines cooperative measures to help improve the management of critical natural resources such as forests and wildlife in the two countries, and to increase the economic and livelihood benefits that such resources bring to the communities

The MOU is the result of a years' work by the signatories and the WWF, which facilitated exchange visits and organized several meetings. It is also expected to open the doors for greater cooperation and exchange of experience in issues such as community forest management and REDD.

"The signing of this MOU will benefit the people of Tanzania and Mozambique who will have increased access to benefits from forest and wildlife resources which are currently absorbed by illegal activities run by a very small group of people," said Rito Mabunda, WWF Mozambique's Forest Programme Coordinator.

"With the reduction of illegal activities and improved collection of fees and taxes from timber going to government instead of unscrupulous illegal timber dealers, more resources will become available to Government to improve local education and health infrastructure.

"Also, the development of income generating activities will mean that more income will flow to local communities."

Following numerous meetings and consultations it was decide that the management of forest resources required a coordinated approach based on education, research and trade and law enforcement in forest resources.

The coordinated efforts between Mozambique and Tanzania are expected to bring about significant strides in the management of forests, increasing benefits to the population of the two countries from the implementation of REDD and other carbon credit projects and improving the management of high value conservation areas.

Provisions within the MOU to deal with illegal cross border logging include establishing joint law enforcement units within the boundaries, sharing intelligence and establishing check-points in the border areas.

An assessment of the scale of illegal cross border timber is currently ongoing but there is evidence that the illegal timber trade is significant.

Currently, over 20 million people live in and along coastal forests and landscapes in Eastern Africa and their survival is highly dependent on the availability of basic natural resources such as timber and fuel wood.

The dependency on such resources and the consequent exploitation is destroying the very basis of their existence.

The pressures are rapidly rising as the population is expected to double by 2030 putting even more of a strain on the already meagre natural resources in the region.

Increased regional cooperation on sustainable forest management is critical to mitigating these pressures, according to WWF.

John Kabubu

Cross border illegal loggers face new obstacle in Tanzania Mozambique forest agreement

2012-04-17

Two twice 'extinct' trees rediscovered in coastal Tanzania

2012-03-12

Scientists have confirmed the rediscovery of two tree species that were feared to have become extinct twice, according to a report published in the Journal of East African Natural History. The finds were made in highly threatened fragments of dry forest in coastal Tanzania.

One of the trees, Erythrina schliebenii, belongs to the genus of 'coral trees' which have spectacular red flowers and viciously spiny trunks. The tree was only known from two collections from the 1930s until it was recollected in a small patch of unprotected forest in 2001. It was feared that it might have gone extinct again when a Dutch company cleared part of that forest for a biofuel plantation in 2008.

The other tree, Karomia gigas, was only known from a single specimen cut down a few years after it was first discovered in coastal Kenya in 1977. Another tree was found some 600 km away in a tiny fragment of forest in Tanzania in 1993, but a more recent search at the same site was unable to relocate it.

Last year botanists from the University of Dar es Salaam set out to look for both trees near where they had been found. They discovered small populations of both in remote coastal forest near Kilwa in southeast Tanzania.

The coral tree Erythrina schliebenii was collected with mature seeds for the first time, allowing taxonomists at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew to confirm it as a distinct species. This was only possible through consulting reference collections of coral tree specimens housed in herbaria throughout the world.

Neil Burgess, senior advisor to WWF's conservation and Africa programme, said: "The re-discovery of these two trees highlights the lack of information in a forested region where we could be losing species without ever knowing they are there.

"Conservation of these forests, in partnership with local villages, is essential. This can also lead to standing forest being used as an income source for communities through the development of sustainable logging initiatives."

Recent infrastructure development, together with a rapid population increase, are putting the coastal forests of southeast Tanzania under increasing threat of being degraded and cleared.

"Erythrina schliebenii has only survived because it grows in rocky areas that are not usually cleared for cultivation, but even those areas will be cleared one day if nothing is done," added botanist Cosmas Mligo from the University of Dar es Salaam.

Roy Gereau from the Missouri Botanical Garden, who coordinates the IUCN Red Data book listing of East African plants, said: "Both trees are still in critical danger of extinction, given that fewer than 50 individuals of each species are known."

Notes to Editors:
About WWF WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with more than 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

Recent fieldwork in Tanzania's Coastal Forests was supported by the Global Environment Facility through the United Nations Development Programme, WWF and the Tanzania Forest Service. Their work forms a part of the WWF's 'Coastal East Africa' Global Initiative and the UNDP GEF project 'expanding the protected area subsystem in the coastal forests of Tanzania'.

Further details are available online from the latest issue of the Journal of East African Natural History, available online at http://www.bioone.org/loi/eanh

Paper citation: Clarke, G.P., N.D. Burgess, F.M. Mbago, C. Mligo, B. Mackinder & R.E. Gereau (2011). Two 'extinct' trees rediscovered near Kilwa, Tanzania. J. East African Nat. Hist. 100(1&2):133–140.

For further information, please contact:
Robin Clegg, Tel: +44 7771 818707, email: rclegg@wwf.org.uk