WWF - CBD COP11

Governments make good progress on marine, slow on finance at Hyderabad biodiversity meet

2012-10-20

Hyderabad, India – 'Painfully slow' seems to have been the mantra adopted by governments in their sluggish quest to agree on key targets to protect our planet's natural resources at the UN Convention on Biological diversity in Hyderabad this week, with a hard-earned agreement on a doubling of international financing by 2015 arriving early on Saturday.

But even before plenary got underway, delegates had already reached agreements on a number of big issues, with marine one of the most notable successes.

"WWF came to Hyderabad asking governments to set the world on a course that would help prevent further declines in some of the world's most valuable resources, and we have seen some success here," said Lasse Gustavsson, WWF International's Executive Director of Conservation.

"But the deal reached on financing at CoP11 Hyderabad is a disappointing result, because it is not nearly enough money to reach the ambitious targets to protect biodiversity the world set two years ago in Nagoya," he said.

The agreement to double biodiversity investments from developed countries to developing nations means an additional US$5 billion to 2015, representing a total of US$10 billion per year. From here, investments will be frozen to 2020, the year the Aichi Targets are set to conclude.

WWF estimates that approximately US$200 billion needs to be invested in biodiversity by 2020 if governments are serious about meeting the Aichi Targets. What's been agreed in Hyderabad represents less than half this number.

Tide comes in on marine

Governments did manage to agree on a way forward to protect the world's oceans, and have set in motion a process could see better conservation applied to marine environments beyond national jurisdictions, commonly known as the high seas – a massive area that represents close to 40 per cent of our planet's surface.

The success came as delegates agreed to send reports on ecologically and biologically signigicant areas (EBSAs) of the high seas to the UN General Assembly. If UN agencies take action to ensure shipping and other activities do not harm these important areas, this could lead to better management of ocean environments beyond national boarders, according to WWF.

Another significant point of progress came with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's US$50 million "Hyderabad Pledge", a commitment that will channel much needed biodiversity investments into India and other developing nations that are finding it difficult to cover urgently needed investments in natural capital.

"The fact that India made a financial commitment at national and international level sets a precedent for other emerging economies to offer more support to global biodiversity conservation," said Lasse Gustavsson.

Indian Environment Minister, top celebrity pledge support for tiger conservation in Hyderabad

2012-10-17

Hyderabad, India - Indian Environment Minister Ms. Jayanti Natrajan joined award-winning film star Rana Dagubatti in a show of support for our planet's few remaining tigers, highlighting the vital role forest guards play in India and around the world protecting this endangered species.

With an estimated 3,200 tigers left in the wild, Rana and the minister showed their support to forest guards by signing Cards4tigers postcards, part of a WWF campaign to recognize thousands of frontline staff that work in harsh conditions to protect the rare animal.

"India has made significant progress in implementing efforts to protect and increase its wild tiger population. The last census reported an increase in tiger numbers by 20%, also revealing healthy tiger populations outside Tiger Reserves. India has a high level of commitment towards tiger conservation. We have recently enhanced the budgetary allocation for all endangered species, including that for tigers, substantially,'' said Indian Minister of Environment and Forests, Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan.

The show of support came as delegates at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) enter the high-level portion of the negotiations in Hyderabad, India. Host nation India yesterday set the talks - which aim to set solid biodiversity protection targets from now to 2020 - on positive footing with the announcement of US$50 million in funding that will be invested both domestically and shared with other developing nations.

Spurred by the momentum, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), WWF-India, Global Tiger Forum (GTF) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) gathered to discuss how much has changed since nations at the landmark 2010 Tiger Summit in St. Petersburg pledged to double the number of tigers living in the wild by 2022.

"It is overwhelming to hear about the dedication of forest guards to protect tigers in such difficult field conditions. I appeal to the public to recognize their efforts, and spare a thought by sending them a message of appreciation for their work. Let us motivate them further to continue their job with passion so that the tiger and our forests are conserved," said Rana Dagubatti.

Focusing on what has changed since tiger range countries set the ambitious target, the group reviewed state-of-the-art technology that has been adopted to monitor tigers and other wildlife, the recovery of tiger populations around the world, and efforts towards halting illegal wildlife trade and poaching. The Global Tiger Forum, an intergovernmental body for tiger range states, announced positive developments from Russia, and also reported that China will become a GTF member in the very near future.

"The intelligent and continuous monitoring of tigers and their prey, enhanced protection and better infrastructure planning are immediate and crucial aspects that must be stepped up if we are serious about conserving tigers,'' said Ravi Singh, Secretary General and CEO of WWF-India.

"Frontline protection is a crucial element that safeguard against poaching – the biggest threat to tigers today - and needs to be strengthened across tiger range states," he added.

For further information:

Aarti Khosla, WWF-India, +91-98111-99288, akhosla@wwfindia.net

Chris Chaplin, WWF-International, cchaplin@wwf.sg, Hyderabad: +91 96522 36722 or Singapore: +65-9826-3802

WWF: India's $50 million biodiversity commitment welcome sign of leadership

2012-10-16

Hyderabad, India - WWF welcomes India's US$50 million dollar biodiversity investment pledge made today in Hyderabad and encourages other nations to step up and make similar commitments to support the health of our planet.

"This 50 million dollar pledge for biodiversity is a welcome show of leadership from one of the world's fastest growing - and biologically rich - counties," said Lasse Gustavsson, WWF International Executive Director of Conservation.

"It's now up to other countries to make similar commitments and show the world how serious they are about protecting our planet's natural wealth," he added.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made the announcement today as the high-level negotiations at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) got underway. Called the "Hyderabad Pledge", the US$50 million in funding will be invested both domestically and shared with other developing nations that are now struggling to cover urgently needed investments in biodiverstiy.

"Two years ago in Japan, the world came together and agreed on a way forward to protect our planet. Now here in Hyderabad, we are starting to see signs of new leadership emerging - is this the beginning of a new South - South Cooperation leadership?" he added.

"It is wonderful to see the south step forward. But we still need to see developed countries increase their financial support for protecting biodiversity in developing countries."

For more information contact:

Chris Chaplin, WWF International, cchaplin@wwf.sg, Hyderabad: +91 96522 36722 or Singapore: +65-9826-3802

Aarti Khosla, WWF-India, akhosla@wwfindia.net, +91 98 1119 9288

WWF: Agreement on finance key to success at Hyderabad biodiversity meet

2012-10-15

Hyderabad, India - The first week of negotiations at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Hyderabad closed with governments from developed and developing nations locked in difficult discussions on critical issues including setting clear finance targets, conserving valuable ocean areas and its relationship with the UN climate convention, the UNFCCC.   

Summarizing the key challenges facing the CBD in the week ahead, WWF International's Coordinator for Biodiversity Policy Rolf Hogan said:

"So far, the biggest hurdle we've seen emerge are differences of opinion between developed and developing nations on finance issues. Developed countries do not want to commit more money to reach resource mobilization targets, and developing countries are saying that if no money is made available, then they will 'walk away' from their Nagoya commitments."

"We need countries to agree on how to increase financing for biodiversity. This means agreeing to increasing public biodiversity funding by 20% as well as increasing national budgets and developing new and additional financing mechanisms that can support the achievement of the 20 Targets of the CBD's masterplan up to 2020."  

"We also need to engage the private sector and ensure development and foreign direct investments do not destroy biodiversity."

"An agreement on finance is the key to success of COP 11. The stakes are high: if counties don't find a way to move beyond the hurdles they encountered in the first week, it could derail the commitments made in Nagoya two years ago."   

Encouraging signs 

"In spite of the challenges in some areas, WWF is encouraged to see signs of progress, and believes that success can still be attained if nations step up to match the level of ambition we saw two years ago in Nagoya."

"There are also positive signs that many countries, including emerging economies, will commit to new funding, but only if other nations reciprocate."

"It is important for Parties to get things right at Hyderabad. Success here means a clear path forward to the 2020 Aichi Targets."  

Conserving ocean biodiversity   

Negotiations on protecting important ocean areas are also facing difficulties, with a block of nations opposing the 'endorsement' of reports that identify important areas for conservation in ocean areas beyond national jurisdictions.

"Over 50 percent of the world's oceans fall outside of national boundaries. WWF encourages delegates to commit to clearly identifying ocean areas of value that fall beyond national jurisdictions," said Nanie Ratsifandrihamanana, Conservation Director of WWF Madagascar.   

"Establishing marine protected areas are part of the broader package of solutions that can help governments and businesses safeguard our oceans' enormous ecological, social, and economic benefits," she added.

  Climate and REDD+  

Negotiations on REDD+ are becoming root bound with some countries pushing to maintain a clear separation between the CBD and UNFCCC. Meanwhile, other countries are fighting to avoid any additional burden for monitoring and reporting under REDD+ programmes.

"Deforestation is a major cause of biodiversity loss – it is also responsible for up to a fifth of global carbon emissions. It is extremely important that all nations recognize and work to better integrate REDD+'s massive biodiversity benefits," said Rolf Hogan.   

For further information:

Chris Chaplin, WWF-International, cchaplin@wwf.sg, Hyderabad: +91 96522 36722 or Singapore: +65-9826-3802

Aarti Khosla, WWF-India, akhosla@wwfindia.net, +91 98 1119 9288

Governments invest too slowly in planet's natural wealth, WWF tells CBD delegates

2012-10-08

Gland, Switzerland - Governments meeting in India to make key decisions on our planet's future have to prove the deal they struck two years ago was not just a display of good will but a serious commitment.

Over 190 nations will meet in Hyderabad from 8th to 19th October to discuss implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, a legally binding treaty governing the sustainable use of our planet's natural wealth.

Two years ago governments agreed to set the world on a course to help prevent further species extinctions and the decline of the world's most valuable nature.

But since this historic achievement, many have failed to deliver on the promises and commitments made in Japan. WWF is calling on all nations who gather in Hyderabad to urgently start implementing the previously agreed targets.

"What was agreed in Nagoya really has the power to halt the dramatic loss of biodiversity across the globe and address the main drivers of the destruction."

"But now governments must prove that Nagoya was not just a platform for empty promises. They need to start taking real steps and implement the targets and commitments they agreed on," said Lasse Gustavsson, WWF International's Executive Director for Conservation.

"The targets agreed at the CBD in 2010 show that countries have the will to come together to protect our planet. Now they must put money behind their promises and turn their words into action."

Progress...but not enough

An overwhelming 91 percent of Parties to the CBD have developed strategies and plans for their approach to protect nature and biodiversity. But only 14 Parties have revised their plans taking into consideration the strategic plan agreed in Nagoya, and even fewer have taken measures to integrate the services that nature provides into their development plans.

Yet even amidst this dismal performnce, some nations have stepped up and are starting to make good on the commitments they voiced in Nagoya.

In Indonesia, the government has agreed a US$28.5 million debt-for-nature swap with the US for a forest-carbon-biodiversity conservation program.

In Guyana, a conservation trust fund was launched in July 2012 that paves the way for establishing a National Protected Areas Trust Fund.

And European countries have agreed a strategy to meet the CBD targets across the European Union which if implemented could help halt biodiversity loss by 2020.

"Governments can only be serious about these targets if they are prepared to invest in achieving them. We need to see richer countries helping poorer countries and all countries increasing their domestic budgets," said Rolf Hogan, Biodiversity Policy Coordinator at WWF International.

"Nature underpins our existence on earth and governments need to invest in nature if they are serious about our future. Protecting biodiversity and nature is an investment in the future."

Notes to editors

To find out more about WWF at the CBD visit http://bit.ly/SGWaKv

Follow us on Twitter: @wwf_media

For more information contact

Natalie Boudou WWF International nboudou@wwfint.org +41 79 820 2898

Chris Chaplin, WWF International, cchaplin@wwf.sg, +65 9826 3802, +86 139 117 747 472
Twitter: @ChrisChaplin78

"Future We Want" proposals are not the future we need: WWF

2012-01-12

Gland, Switzerland – The first negotiating draft for the Rio+20 summit on sustainable development has the direction right, but the magnitude wrong, global environmental organization WWF said today.

"The Future We Want" Zero Draft acknowledges the need for poverty eradication, food security, and measures of progress towards sustainable development, but has few practical measures to enable the world to meet challenges in balancing competing global food, water and energy needs over the next 10 years.

"This document recognizes that countries have failed to act effectively on the environment and development over the last two decades but its lack of binding commitments risks setting us up for another decade of failure," said Lasse Gustavsson, Executive Director, Conservation at WWF International.

"The proposed "Register of Voluntary Commitments" just will not get the world where it needs to be," he said.

WWF has identified the need to solve the "Food, Energy, Water" equation as crucial to the success of such a critical global conference intended to give the world a new sense of purpose in achieving sustainable development 20 years after the original Earth Summit. But this first negotiating draft for the Rio+20 summit is especially weak on water-related ambition.

"Rio 2012 could fail solely on the basis of what it does – or doesn't do – on freshwater," said Gustavsson. "At this point, the document isn't offering much more than a recommitment to sanitation systems."

"What we need is water management based on natural, not political boundaries; a commitment to protect and restore vital freshwater systems; protection for the forests that safeguard our water supplies; and to prepare the world for the major water supply impacts of climate change."

WWF welcomes the commitment to the sustainable management of marine and ocean resources, but is concerned there is no commitment to a sorely needed system of high seas protection, no workable safeguards for the sustainability of dwindling fish stocks, and no proposals for curtailing criminal exploitation of marine living resources.

"We welcome the fact that a number of priority issues have been addressed, including the need for government and business frameworks to develop green economies, a move towards low carbon development and the elimination of environmentally harmful subsidies," said Gustavsson.

Other WWF concerns:

· The proposals for change are based on "voluntary national commitments" – which are not legally binding and will not commit countries to meet any targets or to work within a given timeframe. Countries need to agree targets, timelines and funding that match the challenges they are tackling.

· The text on developing green economies fails to require bringing social and environmental costs into national accounts, tax measures and certification schemes.

· Proposals to tackle food, water and energy security need specific targets, concrete implementation measures and a clear funding agreement.

· The text fails to take into account the critical role of climate change, and of ecosystem services which are key factors underpinning the production of food, energy and water.

· Many of the proposals for change are vague and open-ended. For example there are no targets for stopping deforestation or goals for effective water management.

Sweet news for environment as sustainable sugar comes to market

2011-06-21

Sao Paulo, Brazil: A mill in Sao Paulo, Brazil has become the first to have its sugar cane production certified under the new Bonsucro sustainability standard.

"This will change the sugar cane industry forever," said Kevin Ogorzalek, WWF-US programme officer and Chairman of the Bonsucro Board.

"Sugar is everywhere, on our tables, in our drinks, and in the food we eat. Increasingly sugar cane is in our gas tanks, too. This is why we work with influential market leaders to help ensure key commodities like sugar cane are grown in a manner that assures more sustainable use of natural resources. Through our markets-based approach, WWF will continue working with industry to grow the standard and help preserve the critical habitats at the core of our mission."

Major impacts in Brazil and Mekong

Sugar cane is one of the world's thirstiest crops. Its production can have major impacts on the water supply and quality, globally, and on the ecosystems where it is produced. Major production areas for sugar cane include important global biodiversity regions such as the Mekong and Brazil's Atlantic Forest. Sugar cane is used as a table sugar, and in the production of foods, sweetened beverages, livestock feed, molasses, bioelectricity and biofuels.

The first certification against Bonsucro's environmental and social sustainability standard covers production from the Raízen Maracaí Mill, covering more than 130,000 tonnes of sugar and 63,000 cubic metres of ethanol. The first buyer of certified sugar was the local Coca-Cola bottler.

Bonsucro is a global multi-stakeholder initiative dedicated to reducing the environmental and social impacts of sugar cane production which was developed from WWF's long running Better Sugar Cane Initiative. The Bonsucro standard for better sugar cane management identifies and addresses the most significant social and environmental impacts from sugar cane production in the area of legal compliance, biodiversity and ecosystem impacts, human rights, production and processing, and establishes markers for continuous improvement.

"As part of our efforts to transform the global sugar market to a sustainable basis, WWF will now focus on promoting certification to Bonsucro standards with producers and work with industry leaders and major buyers to make sourcing commitments," said Ogorzalek.

"Brazil has show great leadership in driving the industry toward a more sustainable business model. WWF remains committed to continue working closely with stakeholders in this region to monitor and continue to improve the standards to ensure they deliver real on the ground conservation results."

No amnesty on illegal Amazon deforestation, declares Brazil president

2011-06-09

Brasilia, Brazil; Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has marked the country's preparations for next year's landmark Rio +20 conference on sustainable development by repeating that there will be no amnesty granted to those that had carried out deforestation.

"There will be no negotiation or prevarication on the issue of deforestation," Rousseff said, without making any specific reference to the divisive debate on a proposed radical cut to forest protection measures that have cleared Brazil's National Assembly.

Anticipation of the changes - which still have to pass the Brazilian Senate and receive presidential assent - has been linked to a dramatic upsurge in deforestation rates in the Amazon and elsewhere in recent months.

Generous amnesty provisions

This has been linked to generous amnesty provisions for illegal clearing in areas under protection in the current law such as forests by waterways, on steep slopes and high elevation watersheds. Forest reserve requirements - and more vigorous enforcement - are credited with key roles in Brazil's leading record in reducing deforestation over recent years.

"We are determined to fulfil the commitments we have made and will not tolerate any steps backwards in the historical process," declared the President during her speech, which celebrated the setting up of the National Committee and the Organising Commmittee of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20).

The President was likely trying to strengthen Brazil's image overseas as a defender of the environment in the face of alarm that a revised Forest Bill would see a return to the devastating rates of forest destruction that was a key impetus to the original Rio conference.

Dilma reaffirmed Brazil's commitment to continuing its role as a global leader both in food production and as an environmental power and to making use of renewable energy sources.

WWF-Brazil CEO Denise Hamú, present at the ceremony in the Planalto Palace, considers the event to be an important milestone. "President Dilma was applauded for a full five minutes. The audience made up of diplomats, members of parliament, members of the government and other important guests demonstrated its enthusiastic support for the commitments made in regard to the environment," said Hamú.

"I think that Dilma Roussef sensed the force of society's wish for a serious policy committed to environmental conservation."

Senators responsible for crucial report named.

In another development, the Senators responsible for a pre-debate report on the proposed bill from the standing committee on Agriculture and the Environment have been named.

They are the senator for Santa Catarina, Luiz Henrique (Partido do Movimento Democrático Brasileiro -PMDB) linked to the 'ruralista' parliamentary group (agribusiness and big landholders) and senator for Acre, Jorge Viana (Partido dos Trabalhadores- PT) connected to the pro-environment group.

Both have both declared their intention to achieve consensus on a final text that is representative of the positions of both groups.

This marks a distinct change from the lower house process, where the report advocating proposed "reforms" was under the control of the ruralista grouping who pushed forward the controversial measures in the face of complaints of inadequate consultation with scientists and community groups.

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New international report to secure natural riches of North Africa and Middle East

2011-06-01

An international conservation project has brought together botanists and scientists from Middle East and North Africa – Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Syria and Tunisia – in an unprecedented bid to secure the future of the region's wildlife.

A new report published today by IUCN, Plantlife and WWF – Important Plant Areas of the south and east Mediterranean region: Priority sites for conservation – shows that there are more than 200 internationally significant areas for wild plants in the region, rivalling those found elsewhere in Europe and Asia for species richness, and supporting an extraordinary range of wildlife.

In many of these countries, these species-rich landscapes also provide vital resources for local livelihoods.

• 207 Important Plant Areas (IPAs) are listed in the report for the first time, including 33 in Syria, 20 in Lebanon,20 in Egypt, 21 in Algeria, 13 in Tunisia and 5 in Libya.

• Teams from 11 countries around the south and east Mediterranean were involved in the partnership project, meeting at workshops to discuss results and work together to carry out a rapid assessment of wild plants and wildlife-rich areas across the region.

• 75% of the 207 IPAs contain locally endemic species i.e. species that grow only in one country or area.

• 'Mega endemic sites' (containing more than 20 species restricted to small geographical areas) were identified in Algeria, Morocco, Lebanon, Syria and Libya, meaning that they are extraordinarily rich in their diversity of wild flowers and other plants.

The report is the result of unprecedented cooperation between botanists and scientists from participating countries.

The data collated fills gaps in the knowledge available about the Mediterranean's important areas for wild plants and their habitats including forests, and can serve as a tool for governments and regional conventions to focus conservation work on the priority areas for conservation.

Many of these countries are in the midst of political instability and conflict, but in the long term natural resources and wildlife areas will continue to be vital for the health, livelihoods and general wellbeing of local people.

Al Jabel Al Akhdar is an Important Plant Area situated close to the town of Benghazi. It is the richest place for wild plants in Libya with 1,400 species, and is also Libya's most important region for growing cereals, fruit and vegetables.

Half of Libya's endemic plants grow only here. Similar unique sites with large numbers of endemic plant species exist in Syria, Lebanon and Morocco and some of these are critical in providing income for the local people.

The main threats to the region's IPAs include overgrazing (67% of sites are affected), deforestation, tourist development, intensive arable farming and unsustainable collection of plants for medicine and culinary uses.

In future, the partners will continue to provide support for botanists, conservationists and local IPA communities across the region so that these botanical and wildlife hotspots can be secured and managed for future generations to use and enjoy.

The project - led by IUCN, Plantlife and WWF and funded by the French Development Agency through the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund - aims to take the first steps to conserving this wealth of natural riches.

For more information and images, please contact:
Gemma Parkes, WWF Mediterranean Communications T + 39 346 387 32 37 / E gparkes@wwf.panda.org

Notes
1. The report - 'Important Plant Areas of the south and east Mediterranean region: priority sites for conservation' (eds E. A. Radford, G. Catullo and B. de Montmollin) is available to download from the websites of IUCN http://www.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/2011-014.pdf, WWF or from the Plantlife www.plantlife.org.uk/publications/IPA-SEMed.

2. Plantlife is the organisation speaking up for the nation's wild plants. We work hard to protect wild plants on the ground and to build understanding of the vital role they play in everyone's lives. Plantlife carries out practical conservation work, manages nature reserves, influences policy and legislation, runs events and activities that connect people with their local wild plants and works with others to promote the conservation of wild plants for the benefit of all. For more information, go to www.plantlife.org.uk.

3. IUCN, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environmental and development challenges. IUCN is the world's oldest and largest global environmental organisation, with more than 1,000 government and NGO members and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. The IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, established in Malaga in 2000, reunites more than 170 IUCN member organizations in the region around a common programme of work dedicated to influence, encourage and assist Mediterranean societies to conserve nature and sensibly use its resources towards human development. The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) is a science-based network of some 7,500 volunteer experts from almost every country of the world, all working together towards achieving the vision of "a world that values and conserves present levels of biodiversity." There is an active specialist group working on Mediterranean island plants. For more information, go to www.iucn.org/mediterranean.

4. 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. The network of WWF's Mediterranean offices has joined forces to launch the Mediterranean Initiative, a conservation strategy pursuing four major goals: build a future for Mediterranean landscapes; secure Mediterranean water resources; generate a sea change in Mediterranean marine management; equip Mediterranean ecosystems to adapt to climate change. Both WWF Mediterranean and WWF Italy contribute to this initiative. For more information, go to http://mediterranean.panda.org/ and www.wwf.it

5. Plant diversity and threats to IPAs in the Mediterranean - Approximately 10% of the world's flowering plants – around 25,000 wild plant species – are found in the Mediterranean basin, on less than 2% of the earth's surface. (The UK – as a contrast - has around 1500 native flowering plant species).

6. This project contributes to activities within the International Year of Forests, during which governments and civil society are encouraged to action for the preservation of the Mediterranean forests and the areas where they occur.

7. The report will also be available in French and Arabic.

New hope for survival for elusive saola

2011-04-14

Quang Nam, Vietnam: Indochina's elusive saola, a recently discovered and critically endangered relative of antelopes and cattle, now has new hope for survival with the establishment of a dedicated nature reserve in the province today.

Quang Nam's People Committee today agreed to the Forestry Protection Department establishing a Saola Natural Reserve in the Annamite mountains along the border of Viet Nam and Laos.

The Saola, described as a primitive member of the bovine family which includes cattle, sheep and antelopes, was discovered only in 1992 by a joint WWF and Vietnam Department of Forestry survey.

Threatened by illegal hunting with snares and dogs for its horns, the current population of saola is thought be to a few hundred at maximum and possibly only a few dozen at a minimum. None have survived in captivity.

Since the species discovery, WWF has worked closely with Vietnamese scientists, protected area staff and rangers and local communities, to understand the species population status and ecological requirements; identify the threats to the Saola and implement conservation actions to reverse its decline.

New reserve creates corridor

In response to the alarming status of the species in the wild, WWF Vietnam has worked with Vietnam's authorities and agencies to promote the establishment of Saola Nature Reserve in Quang Nam, the Saola Nature Reserve in Thua Thien Hue and to extend Bach Ma National Park.

"The establishment of this new Saola Nature Reserve shows a strong commitment by the Vietnamese Government and Quang Nam Province in the conservation of this highly threatened endemic species," said Ms. Tran Minh Hien, Country Director of WWF Vietnam.

"This new reserve will create a biodiversity corridor connecting the East of Vietnam to West side of Xe Sap National Park in Laos."

Protection of the Saola population in this landscape is the highest priority for WWF and provincial authorities. Teams of WWF Forest Guards and FPD rangers are patrolling the nature reserves on a daily basis and have removed thousands of snares and destroyed many illegal hunting camps within the first few months of this new cooperative enforcement programme.

The Saola Natural Reserve in Quang Nam is located in an area where the highest point is 1,298 meters characterised by narrow valleys and water falls which creates ideal habitat for Saola. The establishment of the Nature Reserve will promote the conservation of lowland tropical forest ecosystems in the Annamite mountains, which contain many globally threatened species.

"We believe that, with the guidance from the People's Committee, related local Departments and the cooperation with WWF, the Management Board will carry out the Saola's conservation well which will not only help improve the Saola's survival but also have long term value in developing and maintaining the biodiversity of the area." said Mr Dang Dinh Nguyen, Director of Quang Nam Provincial Forest Protection Department and also the Acting Director of the Saola Nature Reserve.

Substandard dam assessment opens way to fisheries destruction on Mekong

2011-04-14

Bangkok, Thailand: Disruptions to fish migration and food supplies for millions in the Mekong basin are likely if the first mainstream dam on the lower Mekong is allowed to go ahead, WWF predicted as it released expert analysis showing the dam feasibility study and environmental impact assessment failed to address key environmental risks.

The WWF commissioned review – coordinated by the WorldFish Centre with participation from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) found that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed Xayaburi dam in Laos and assessment were woefully inadequate and fell well below international standards for such studies.

Xayaburi is the first of 11 dams proposed for the lower Mekong mainstem. Lower Mekong countries are scheduled to decide on whether the dam project can move ahead on April 22.

Ignored published studies

The review found that the EIA ignored published studies and relied heavily on "a very light field sampling" that captured "less than a third" of the biodiversity in the impact area.

Just five migratory species from a list compiled in 1994 were mentioned and just three of more than 28 studies of Mekong fish migration were referenced. In contrast, current studies show that 229 fish species exploit habitats upstream of the dam site for spawning or dry season refuges, with 70 classified as migratory.

The review finds the proposed fish passes for the dam ignore design guidelines, lack critical detail including any specification of target species and have a slope and steps which would be challenging even for salmon – not a Mekong species.

Among the species threatened is the Mekong's famed giant catfish with only known spawning areas in the upper Mekong between Chiang Rai province (Thailand) and Bokeo (Laos). While the Mekong Giant Catfish is symbolic and culturally important, smaller fish like the Pa Soi are important food sources for villagers in the Mekong River.

"How can you devise mitigation measures for fish passage without addressing the biology and the needs of target species, which in this case range from a small Siamese Mud Carp or Pa Soi to a 3 metre long giant catfish," said Dr Jian-hua Meng, WWF International Sustainable Hydropower Specialist.

"Fish ladders of the design proposed have had some success in Europe and North America, but this

is where only a handful of species are migratory, and many of those are of the salmon family, that are much stronger swimmers and jumpers than most Mekong migratory species."

Repeating mistakes of Pak Mun Dam

The review noted other studies that concluded that fish passes are not a realistic mitigation option for Mekong mainstream dams, and "that the Mekong should never be used as a test case" for proving or improving fish passages technologies.

WWF fears a much larger scale repeat of the environmental damage of the dam on the Mun River in Thailand, a key Mekong tributary. After similar bland assurances of only low level impacts on fisheries prior to construction, the first d ecade of the dam's operation saw damaging impacts on 85 per cent of fish species present before the dam's construction, with 56 species disappearing entirely and reduced catches for a further 169 species, according to a World Commission on Dams study.

Consultations on the Xayaburi dam have so far had to proceed in the absence of much detail on the project, with the abbreviated Feasibility Study dated 2008 but made available only in February this year which was prepared by Thai group TEAM Consulting and Swiss company AF-Colenco and the final EIA by TEAM completed in August 2010 but made available only in March 2011.

WWF was unsuccessful in attempts to brief the consultants on the risks posed by the project.

WWF supports a 10-year delay in the approval of lower Mekong mainstream dams, including the Xayaburi hydropower dam, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of all the impacts of their construction and operation, while immediate needs are met with less challenging projects applying state of the art sustainable hydropower solutions are fast tracked on selected tributaries.

Further information:
Vu Ngoc Tram, communications@wwfgreatermekong.org

Economic adversity doesn't stop Greece protecting biodiversity

2011-03-11

Athens, Greece: The Greek parliament yesterday took the bold step of voting in the country's first national biodiversity law – setting aside a preoccupation with the current unprecedented economic crisis to put in place safeguards for the future.

WWF, noting that the economic crisis is putting Greece's natural environment under increasing pressure, praised the courage and foresight of Greek Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Tina Birbili, the goverment and parlimentarians who stood by the legislation during a grueling debate over several weeks.

"WWF Greece has actively campaigned for this law which we consider an important step for nature conservation in Greece," said Demetres Karavellas, CEO of WWF Greece.

"Despite the views expressed by certain MPs, asking for more building rights within protected areas, the voted law is a sign of hope that Greece's natural heritage will not be ignored or sacrificed in the quest for rapid financial gain.

"The greatest challenge however lies in implementing the provisions of this law. WWF stands ready to assist in making this happen."

Urgent action now possible on rapid species decline

The law sets out plans for an integrated and science-based system of protected areas, with simple designation procedures and improved administrative support. Urgent conservation measures will be able to be adopted in cases of rapid species decline and the framework for sanctions on crimes against biodiversity will be strengthened.

A new legal framework will be provided for the protection of small island wetlands, and conservation measures will also be set out for marine species and habitats.

And despite opposition in the parliament, new regulations will be established for building within the boundaries of Natura 2000 protected areas.

"This new law is an important tool in implementing critical European legislation such as the Wild Birds and Habitats Directives," said Tony Long, Director of the WWF European Policy Office.

"With the right vision of promoting and celebrating its wonderful natural heritage, investing in nature conservation should also assist Greece in finding a way out of the challenging financial crisis."

Further information: Iason Kantas, Press officer, WWF Greece, Tel: +30 210 33 14 893, mob: +30 698 247 1724, i.kantas@wwf.gr

String video ties up web of life

2011-02-21

Mexico City, Mexico: What better way to illustrate the complex web of life than with a tangled ball of string?

The partners in WWF-Mexico's We are all Connected video went beyond tying the knots to choosing the music - and what better than the classic John Lennon melody Imagine.

WWF-Mexico, in company with Ogilvy & Mather Mexico and the French production company Troublemakers, released the video as part of celebration of the international conservation organisation's 50th year - and to mark WWF-Mexico's own 20th anniversary.

"Our existence, as well as the development of the world's economies, depends on the ecosystems' health. Food and energy supply, community's security, everything depends on healthy rivers, oceans, forests and jungles as well as on their biodiversity," said Omar Vidal, Head of WWF-Mexico.

According to the members of the creative team, José Montalvo, Miguel Ruiz, Víctor Alvarado and Fernando Carrera "the video seeks to display the beautiful fragility with which the world turns into a complex system that we are all part of."

All regions in the world are important. The Amazon Rainforest regulates the world's climate; it is estimated that it stores between 90 and 140 million tons of carbon. The oceans' level highly depends on the seasonal cycle from the ice caps in Greenland. The oceanic currents enable the displacement of ships and facilitate the migration of different sea creatures around the globe. The oceanic current in the Gulf of Mexico makes northeast Europe a milder zone than other areas located on the same latitude.

Taking a delicious red snapper dish, a notable feast that can be enjoyed in restaurants in La Paz, Mexico. Behind the dish there's a whole story about a complex natural process.

The San Pedro-Mezquital basin runs through the states of Durango, Nayarit and Zacatecas in Mexico. This basin transports an immense amount of nutrients and sediments from Chihuahuan Desert to the river's estuary.

These nutrients are then, by the oceanic currents, to the Gulf of California. In the Gulf of California, the nutrients are mixed with the sediment that comes from the Colorado River's vast torrent. These mixed nutrients and sediment feed micro-algae and zooplankton. Micro-algae and zooplankton, in turn, feed thousands of sardines. Sardines then feed red snappers. Everything is connected.

Not only is the San Pedro-Mezquital basin an example of interconnectedness, it is also something of a model solution.

The integration of forest conservation in the upper part of the Mezquital area, coastal development and the conservation of its mangrove area (one of the largest in Mexico) make it a model to follow. Once again, this highlights that everything matters because in nature everything is intrinsically linked.

Seafood sustainability recipe needed as increased fish demand collides with failing fisheries

2011-01-31

Rome, Italy: The conflict between increasing demand for fish and failing fisheries has enormous implications for world food security and the state of our oceans, lakes and rivers, WWF said today.

The global environment organisation was welcoming the latest State of the World's Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) report, issued today in Rome by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

SOFIA 2010 recorded a rise to 85% in the number of fisheries that are fully exploited (53%) or over exploited, depleted or recovering from depletion (32%) while noting a significant trend towards increased demand for fish – setting a new record in 2008 of 17 kg live weight equivalent of fish from all sources per person.

Meanwhile, says the report, the proportion of under or moderately exploited fisheries able to produce higher catches is – at just 15 per cent – the lowest level recorded since the mid 1970s.

"In a world likely to face a future of increasing food prices and decreasing food security it is becoming more and more apparent that running down one fishery after another is a disaster in the making," said Alfred Schumm, leader of WWF's global Smart Fishing Initiative.

Mr Schumm is in Vancouver, Canada for the annual Seafood Summit, where WWF is lobbying seafood producers, distributors and retailers to continue to improve an array of measures to increase seafood sustainability – including the ability to trace fish products from capture to plate.

"There are many promising initiatives and it is important to give recognition to the fisheries and fish farms that have achieved or are working towards operating sustainably. What this report show us is that we cannot relax our efforts to bring long term sustainability to a key element of global food security," Mr Schumm said.

The SOFIA report shows employment in the primary and secondary fish sector supports the livelihoods of about 540 million people, or eight per cent of the world's population.

"That's a lot of people relying on a sector dependent on a declining resource, at least as far as fisheries are concerned," said Dr Robin Davies, WWF Smart Fishing Initiative deputy leader, who is attending a key fisheries meeting at the FAO's Rome headquarters.

"If we don't properly manage our oceans, we face not only an environmental disaster, but a social one too," Dr Davies said.

WWF also welcomed the SOFIA report's emphasis on the need to cut down on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

"IUU represents the ugly underbelly of global fisheries and we must all rally to eliminate the loud minority that stains the silent majority," Dr Davies said. "We hope the SOFIA 2010 report will stimulate nations and Regional Fisheries Management Organisations to clamp down and lend support to emerging trade measures such as the EU IUU regulation ."

The SOFIA report recommends better use of technological advances to aid fisheries management. Combating IUU, for example, can be done with video surveillance, something already proving effective in trials and providing an opportunity for the good players to prove their credentials, whilst exposing the bad.

The report also highlights the need to enhance biosecurity in aquaculture, which is supplying most of the increased supply of fish.

In 2009, WWF and IDH (Dutch Sustainable Trade Initiative) established the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) which aims to be the world's leading certification and labelling programme for responsibly farmed seafood – following a course pioneered for wild caught fisheries by the Marine Stewardship Council.

Sweden unleashes 6747 hunters onto 20 wolves

2011-01-14

Stockholm, Sweden: Another storm of protest is set to engulf Sweden's second cull of endangered wolves tomorrow, which has seen 6,747 hunters register to kill 20 of the total Scandinavian wolf population of about 250.

WWF-Sweden was one of four Swedish nature conservation organisations to approach the European Union in March 2010, after a first cull of 27 wolves last year was justified on the basis that the hunt would create acceptance for the wolf in Sweden.

"It is doubtful that the hunt has created acceptance for the wolf's existence in Sweden" says Håkan Wirtén, CEO WWF-Sweden.

Opinion surveys have shown that a majority of the Swedish people are already positive to the wolves in rural areas with the main opposition coming from hunters themselves using loose dogs and sheep farmers.

In an exchange of letters which has intensified in the last month, the EU has put Sweden on notice that going ahead with tomorrow's hunt could see the country hauled before the European Court for violating the Habitat's Directive.

According to the correspondence between Janez Potočnik, the European Commissioner for Environment and Andreas Carlgren, the Swedish Minister of Environment, hunting of the wolf in the EU is strictly prohibited, with very narrowly defined exceptions not consistent with Sweden's arbitrary limit for its wolf population.

Potočnik also argues that the irregularities in Sweden setting up a semi-annual licenced hunt could set unfortunate precedents for protecting other endangered animals.

Scandinavia's wolf population is exceptionally vulnerable because of an extremely narrow genetic base, almost totally isolated from the wolves in Russian and Finland and founded on only three animals which migrated in to Sweden between 1983 and early 1990. Two more wolves with "fresh" blood established themselves in 2008, but the population is extremely inbred and needs new wolves from Finland and Russia rather than culling.

The Swedish parliament decided in 2009 that there should be only 200 to 210 individual wolves in Sweden, despite being a large country with very high densities of prey. The country is also relatively sparsely populated compared to other countries in Europe which have wolves.

Last year's cull of 27 animals (28 were shot, one more than the set quota) started an outrage in Sweden which awoke groups who earlier have kept silence in the wolf debate. A majority of the Swedish population (even in the most dense hunter areas) are positive to the wolves.

"As the hunt is going ahead tomorrow, WWF proposes that the European Commission move ahead with the infringement procedure against Sweden," said Andreas Baumuller, Senior Biodiversity Policy Officer at WWF's European Policy Office

Contact: Tom Arnbom, Senior Conservation Officer, WWF Sweden.
Tel: +46-70-5544066, e-mail:tom.arnbom@wwf.se

Another fisheries commission fails the tuna test

2010-12-11

Honolulu, Hawaii: The Commission responsible for managing tuna resources in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean has yet again failed to take any effective action to reduce the decline of valuable big eye and yellowfin tuna.

The failure, just weeks after the Atlantic tuna commission made only cosmetic cuts to Mediterranean bluefin tuna catch quotas, adding to increasing scepticism that the global system of Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) can prevent the unsustainable plunder of the world's oceans.

The week long Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) annual meeting in Hawaii saw strong interventions from Japan and the EU on the urgent need to freeze fishing capacity of purse seine super fleets and fishing pressure on the most stressed tuna stocks, moves that won support from the US and some other powerful fishing states.

But the WCPFC ultimately stuck to the familiar course of throwing overboard the scientific advice, rejecting its own Scientific Committee's recommendation of an immediate 29 per cent reduction in the big eye tuna catch.

"Once again we see the WCPFC failing to hear their own scientific advice and condemning the region's most stressed tuna stocks to another year of overfishing," said Peter Trott, Fisheries Program Manager with WWF-Australia.

"I have never seen such strong support from the big fishing nations on the need to reduce pressure on big eye and other stressed stocks but this was still not enough to make any real progress on halting the decline of these species."

"absurd" conservation measure for striped marlin

There were some positives to emerge from the meeting, most significantly agreement to develop a shark research plan and introduce greater monitoring and reporting of shark catches. A conservation measure was also adopted for heavily fished Northern Bluefin tuna.

And the Commission agreed to finally go ahead with an independent review of its own performance, a commitment originally made years ago.

"This level of agreement on shark catch has been one of only a few progressive steps taken at this year's meeting and we hope it will help better inform, and stop the decline of key shark species within the region," Mr Trott said.

But the credibility of the WCPFC was further undermined with an absurd conservation measure for overfished striped marlin that according to the Commission's scientific advisor will allow the catch to increase.

"This level of agreement on shark catches has been one of only a few progressive steps taken at this years meeting and we hope it will help better inform, and stop the decline of key shark species within the region," Mr Trott said.

"The WCPFC meeting in Hawaii demonstrated that its most powerful fishing members are ringing the alarm bells of the regions tuna stocks, calling out for urgent action on its most critical issues," Mr Trott said.

"Unfortunately the Commission still lacks the teeth required to meet its responsibilities in terms of conservation and sustainability."

WWF is advocating consideration of new rights- basedmanagement frameworks, cuts to fishing effort from the industrial purse seine sector, care over initiatives that could largely have the effect of displacing rather than reducing fishing effort.

"Most importantly however, the WCPFC should take heed of its contribution to the failures of global fishing regulation and be prepared to set the example in terms of following the scientific advice," Mr Trott said.

For more information: Peter Trott, Fisheries Program Manager, WWF-Australia, +61 437 960 812, ptrott@wwf.org.au

Bleak future for bluefin as tuna commission only marginally trims catches

2010-11-27

Paris, France - "Wilfully blind" members of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) have not given Mediterranean bluefin tuna any real chance to recover, WWF said as the commission's annual meeting closed in Paris with only marginal cuts to catch levels.

With more than four decades of failure behind it protecting the bluefin fisheries under its care, ICCAT today agreed to trim catch quotas by only 600 tonnes compared to the more than 6,000 tonnes needed to just even the odds of saving the species.

"Greed and mismanagement have taken priority over sustainability and common sense at this ICCAT meeting when it comes to Atlantic bluefin. This measly quota reduction is insufficient to ensure the recovery of bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean Sea," said Dr Sergi Tudela, Head of WWF Mediterrean's Fisheries Programme.

Key countries backed away from commitments to ensure a sustainably managed fishery, leaving only one brighter spot - the meeting declined to rubberstamp another amnesty to fishing nations required under ICCAT rules to pay back past overfishing against future catches.

"Doha commitment" promises come to nothing

The so-called "Doha commitments" were made by key ICCAT members - the EU, Japan, Norway, the U.S. and Canada - after the proposal to introduce the highest level of trade restrictions for bluefin tuna at the March meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) was voted down.

The outcome of the Paris meeting recalls ICCAT's action in the 1990s, where promises and concessions on catches were made in the face of threats to refer the collapsing western Atlantic bluefin tuna to CITES, only to be followed by a hard line on reducing catches once the danger of referral to CITES had passed.

Under pressure from the Mediterranean fishing industry and countries benefiting from the highly profitable trade of the sushi favourite red-fleshed bluefin tuna, ICCAT today also held back other efforts to regulate the fishery in the Mediterranean, where the eastern Atlantic population of bluefin tuna migrates to spawn.

"After years of observing ICCAT and countless opportunities to do the right thing, it is clear to us that the commission's interests lie not in the sustainable harvesting of bluefin tuna but in pandering to short-term business interests," Dr Tudela said. "There have been no effective measures implemented here to deal with widespread illegal and unreported fishing for bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean."

Recent investigations have shown the high levels of non-compliance and rule-bending still rife across the Mediterranean bluefin tuna fishery. While there are observers on vessels there is a lot of guess work involved, and control measures were not significantly improved at the Paris ICCAT meeting.

"ICCAT members are wilfully blind to the fact that failing to reduce fishing quotas to precautionary levels recommended by science will logically result in the lack of recovery of the species. Before this meeting WWF asked whether ICCAT wants to remain ineffective or help save bluefin tuna. The answer is becoming all too clear," said Tudela.

WWF welcomed the decision to finally respect the so-called payback regulations, meaning that countries which have overfished would see their quotas reduced accordingly in future to compensate. This application of fishing rules is crucial in Europe at a time when the EU is reforming its common fisheries policy and has pledged to follow science and slash illegal fishing.

In 2007 France fished well over 10,000 tonnes, while in 2011 its quota will be less than 1,000 after payback. France's 2011 quota should be allocated among artisanal fleets rather than the industrial purse seine vessels that are responsible for the massive overfishing in the recent past.

WWF is urging that capacity reduction measures put in place today also focus on cutting purse seiners. The new rules dictate that within three years boat capacity in the Mediterranean – currently far too high – should be aligned with fishing quotas. While current figures for boat numbers underestimate real capacity, this is a positive move.

Coming into the meeting ICCAT's chairman Dr Fabio Hazin talked of "the obligation to respect science" and expressed "confidence and consequent optimism" that countries would "act responsibly and adopt measures needed to ensure sustainability" of fish stocks. But ICCAT members countries have fallen short of this expectation.

"Everyone talked of respecting science and wanting to adopt measures to ensure recovery of bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean, but the measures adopted today are highly risky given the dire status of bluefin tuna stocks and all the blanks and unknowns in the current data gathering and analysis," said Dr Tudela of WWF.

ICCAT has for years failed to implement recovery and sustainable management of the bluefin tuna fishery in the Mediterranean Sea.

WWF, an observer at the negotiations during the ICCAT meeting, was calling on governments to end rule-bending and impunity for illegal fishing, and urging the inter-governmental body to implement a science-based management plan that will allow the Atlantic bluefin tuna to recover.

WWF was also calling for the establishment of no-fishing sanctuaries in the six identified spawning grounds in the Mediterranean Sea, but this suggestion was removed entirely from the agenda.

A proposal to ban international trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna through a listing on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) was defeated in Doha, Qatar last March. But the main harvesting and consuming countries of eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna, the EU and Japan – as well as Norway, Canada and the U.S. – promised to lead in getting sustainable and science-based fisheries management measures adopted at this year's ICCAT meeting.

Japan in particular opposed the CITES listing and stressed that ICCAT was the place to sustainably manage Atlantic bluefin tuna and that countries would show the world ICCAT is capable of ensuring the recovery of the species.

"WWF is disappointed the Doha commitments were not respected here in Paris. We had high hopes that Japan especially would take leadership at this ICCAT meeting in putting in place sustainable and precautionary management measures for bluefin tuna as well as enforcing strict compliance," said Dr Aiko Yamauchi, Fisheries Officer at WWF-Japan. "The results fall short of our high expectations, in spite of fresh evidence of widespread rule-breaking again this year. We are urging Japan to strictly enforce compliance rules."

ICCAT's scientists will next assess bluefin tuna stocks in the East Atlantic in 2012, when they vow to address the uncertainties in data to ensure recommendations are clearer. Data quality must improve but also the methodologies employed to analyse figures. WWF will work with scientists to optimise the process during the next two years.

For more information
Gemma Parkes at WWF: m +39 346 387 3237 // e gparkes@wwf.panda.org // www.panda.org/tuna

World looks to ICCAT to overcome more than four decades of failure to save tuna

2010-11-23

As the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) meets in Paris, the world is watching to see whether it will be able to overcome a more than four decade record of notable failure protecting the bluefin tuna fisheries under its care.

A WWF analysis of ICCAT's record, updated for the Paris meeting, has found parallels between the collapse of the Western Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery under ICCAT's supervision in the 1990s and the current looming collapse of the remaining Eastern Atlantic (Mediterranean) bluefin tuna fishery.

These parallels include periods of reduced catch limits when frustration with ICCAT led to proposals for trade restrictions under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) - followed by a return to inflated catches and negligent management when the danger of international intervention had passed.

The WWF analysis clearly identifies the key issue as ICCAT's woeful adherence to its original charter of managing fisheries in accordance with scientific advice.

At last year's meeting, ICCAT's own scientists established that Atlantic bluefin tuna fitted the criteria for the highest level of trade restrictions, as did a subsequent analysis of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation - but a Monaco proposal to list bluefin tuna was voted down with no debate at the March 2010 meeting of parties to CITES in Doha, Qatar.

Lobbying by the principal bluefin market, Japan, played a key role in this decision, which was however followed by the most significant players on both the catch and trade sides of the bluefin tuna equation – Japan, the EU, the U.S., Norway and Canada – also committing themselves to the adoption of sustainable, science-based fisheries management measures by ICCAT.

The Paris test will be whether ICCAT parties remain true to their "Doha Commitments" or agree only a marginal reduction in quotas and persist with a management regime full of loopholes.

Iceland announces cod and haddock sustainability assessment

2010-11-15

Reykjavik, Iceland: Icelandic Group, one of the world's ten largest seafood companies, has submitted its cod and haddock fisheries for independent assessment for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification - the most rigorous global seafood sustainability standard.

WWF has welcomed the announcement, noting that if the certification bid is successful it will considerably extend sustainable fish choices for consumers on a global scale.

Icelandic Group purchases and markets 35% of the total fish quota caught in the seas of Iceland, in value terms the world's 11th largest exporter of seafood.

The certification assessment will cover all of the cod and haddock fisheries supplying the group and a diversity of harvesting methods including Demersal otter trawls, Danish seine, long lines, hand lines and gill nets.

Successful assessment could add up to 160,000 tonnes of Cod and 50,000 tonnes of Haddock annually to stocks of MSC certified seafoods.

"WWF's Smart Fishing Initiative (SFI) is excited about the announcement of the Icelandic Group, that all Icelandic cod and haddock undergoes independent third party MSC full assessment," said initiative leader Alfred Schumm.

"We expect that this will result in even improved fisheries management in future and that these fisheries might become as well examples for good sustainable management."

"Consumers cannot yet buy year round fresh MSC certified cod and haddock globally. With certified Icelandic fish labelled with the blue MSC logo there is now a real prospect this gap will be closed."

"join more than 200 other fisheries"

The assessment will be conducted by Den Norske Veritas, an independent foundation active in diverse fields of safeguarding life, property and the environment in around 100 countries.

"The WWF Smart Fishing Initiative expects a robust and credible MSC certification procedure and is happy to act as stakeholder within this process," said Schumm.

If certified, the Icelandic cod and haddock fisheries will join more than 200 fisheries engaged in the MSC programme, nearly one hundred of which have been fully certified.

"Icelandic Group's decision to enter all cod and haddock fisheries in Iceland into MSC assessment is of huge historical significance and will impact everyone involved in the catching, processing and sale of Iceland's whitefish," said Rupert Howes, Chief Executive of the MSC.

Icelandic Group said it saw the MSC certification as strengthening its competitiveness in the international marketplace by responding to increasing buyer and consumer insistence on having "the peace of mind that the fish they're buying comes from a well managed and sustainable
source."

"MSC certification assessment is part of Icelandic Group's continued investment in the Iceland fisheries and we are delighted in taking a leading role in this project. MSC certification, in our mind, will confirm what a robust and responsible fisheries management system we have in Iceland, and support fair access of Icelandic seafood to the world market now and in the future," said Ingvar Eyfjörð, deputy CEO of Icelandic Group.

Icelandic Group is already party to the Icelandic Responsible Fisheries (IRF) scheme and views the two labels as complementary within the global seafood market.

Chile's marine conservation efforts on show and more protection needed - WWF

2010-10-28

WWF calls on Chile's newly established Ministry of Environment to advance fast on establishing new marine protected areas (MPAs) in the country's waters to secure vital protection for valuable and threatened marine life, including the endangered blue whale.

Achievements, challenges and the route ahead for MPAs in Chile were discussed today at an event sponsored by WWF at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) meeting underway in Japan, and attended by Mr. Ricardo Irarrazabal, Undersecretary for the Environment, and Mr. Miguel Stutzin, Natural Resources and Biodiversity Division with Chile's Ministry of Environment.

At the event, recognition was given to three MPAs established with GEF funding along Chile's coastline over the past five years, as well as the recenlty established no-take MPA near Salas y Gomez Island ( Motu Motiro Hiva in Rapu Nui language) covering 150,000 square kilometres.

WWF urges the government to now move forward fast on establishing more MPAs in southern Chile, notably the Corcovado Gulf frequented by blue whales.

"WWF, along with local and partners, have provided the government with the results of a 800-pages landmark report, including consultation with relevant stakeholders, indigenous and small-scale fishermen communities among them, concerning the establishment of new MPAs in the south," said Mauricio Gálvez, WWF Chile's Marine Conservation Program Coordinator. "It's now time for governments to proactively act on this information and move quickly to set up the much needed new MPAs."

The Ministry of Environment, the Universidad Austral de Chile, the Blue Whale Centre and WWF-Chile, as well as other local and international NGOs have undertaken extensive research efforts over the last two years to create a marine conservation plan and identify a portfolio of potential areas for MPAs in the Chiloense Ecoregion, which stretches from Puerto Montt to Taitao Peninsula.

The research identified 40 sites needing protection, including areas important endangered blue whales, fragile coldwater corals and important fish populations.

"The implementation of the recommendations and results arising from this work would show the government's commitment to meet goals for protecting unique marine ecosystems – particularly those in Southern Chile that are under significant pressure." added Gálvez.

"The scientific justification for creating MPAs in this area is clear and has been scrutinized by multiple stakeholders. The only thing needed now is the political will to create the proposed MPAs, and we hope that CBD is the moment for Chile's new presidential administration to express its willingness to the world."