WWF - Environmental News

WWF and partners celebrate Coral Triangle Day on June 9

2012-05-16

WWF and its partners are celebrating the first-ever Coral Triangle Day on June 9 at several locations around the Coral Triangle region to highlight the importance of marine conservation and to raise awareness on this global center of marine biodiversity.

An interpretation of World Oceans Day in this part of the world, the Coral Triangle Day brings together individuals, organizations, and establishments from different parts of the region on one special day to celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of this region and to promote the importance of oceans through varied activities including: beach clean-ups; sustainable seafood dinners; educational exhibitions; marine-themed bazaars; and beach parties.

“WWF, along with its partners are encouraging everyone to do one special thing, no matter how small, that will contribute to saving the Coral Triangle and let the world know how we care about it by sharing it on the Coral Triangle online platform www.thecoraltriangle.com/day,” says Dr Lida Pet-Soede, WWF Coral Triangle Programme Leader.

The Coral Triangle is a six million square-kilometer ocean expanse that contains the highest number of reef building corals on the planet. Its spectacular coral reefs systems are home to thousands of whales, dolphins, rays, sharks, and six of the world’s seven species of marine turtles.

Spanning across six countries in Asia and the Pacific including Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Timor Leste and Solomon Islands, the Coral Triangle is also a nursery ground for highly valuable tuna species and much sought-after reef fish species. It directly sustains the lives of more than 120 million people who heavily depend on marine resources for food and income.

However, coastal development, destructive fishing, overfishing, unsustainable tourism, the illegal harvest and trade of endangered species, and climate change, among many others, are taking a heavy toll on this fragile marine ecosystem.

The Coral Triangle Day, envisioned to be an annual, open-sourced event, hopes to empower individuals to take specific action to help protect and conserve this globally-significant marine ecoregion.

“This unprecedented event aims to build a critical mass of supporters for the Coral Triangle on different levels of society by using a fun and exciting way for people in this part of the world to learn more about the significance of oceans,” adds Pet-Soede.

Individuals, organizations, and establishments celebrating the Coral Triangle Day are encouraged to post their videos or photos on www.thecoraltriangle.com/day to show the world what they are doing for the oceans during this day and to help create a truly regional community of Coral Triangle supporters.

For more information on the Coral Triangle, visit www.thecoraltriangle.com. For more information on the Coral Triangle Day, visit www.thecoraltriangle.com/day

For further information:
Paolo P. Mangahas, Communications Manager, WWF Coral Triangle Programme, +603 7803 3772, pmangahas@wwf.org.my

Council looks to bury real greening in reformed CAP

2012-05-15

Brussels, Belgium –The Agriculture and Fisheries Council discussion this morning was the death knell for many of the greening measures contained in the original Commission proposal for the Common Agricultural Policy reform.

Quote

“It is truly depressing to see the direction that negotiations are taking at such an early stage. Member States should be taking stronger environmental measures, rather than working at forming a consensus behind closed doors that will sink the Commission’s proposal. The Council is intent on sacrificing the 7% of Ecological Focus Areas*(see editorial note), despite the best scientific advice. They are contravening all logic.” said Tony Long, Director of WWF’s European Policy Office.

“Citizens will not stand by in these difficult economic times and allow farm payments which directly or indirectly lead to the destruction of nature, the contamination of the atmosphere with greenhouse gases and the over-abstraction and pollution of water. Member States have to listen to public sentiment and start taking serious strides in protecting the environment,” Mr Long concluded.

Background

There was wide spread agreement amongst Member States that the 7% Ecological Focus Areas are too ambitious and should be reduced. However scientific opinion already suggests that we need a minimum of 10% of land dedicated to Ecological Focus Areas if biodiversity and environmental connectivity is to be optimally supported, less than 7% is insufficient.

In addition to this, Luxembourg’s proposal for a menu of greening options, from which Member States could pick and choose, is reckless. This means that not all measures will be applied evenly, and Member States will probably employ the options that have the lowest financial cost rather than what is best for nature and society. European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Dacian Cioloş recognizes the danger of a “pick and mix” policy and is right to defend against it.

Notes to the Editor

Ecological Focus Areas are a part of farmland that is dedicated to environmental rather than agricultura usel. The aim of this land includes reversing biodiversity loss, reversing the loss of birds and insects, reducing water pollution and soil erosion.

For further information:

Philippe Carr, Media & Communications,

WWF: European Policy Office,

Tel: +32 476 25 68 79

E-mail: pcarr@wwf.eu

Rising consumption, increased resource use by a growing population puts unbearable pressure on our Planet – WWF 2012 Living Planet Report

2012-05-14

Gland, Switzerland. An ever-growing demand for resources by a growing population is putting tremendous pressures on our planet’s biodiversity and is threatening our future security, health and well-being, reveals the 2012 edition of WWF’s Living Planet Report – the leading biennial survey of the Earth’s health.

Produced in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London and Global Footprint Network, this year’s report was launched today from the International Space Station – by ESA astronaut André Kuipers, who provided a unique perspective of the state of the planet from his European Space Agency mission.

“We only have one Earth. From up here I can see humanity’s footprint, including forest fires, air pollution and erosion – challenges which are reflected in this edition of the Living Planet Report,” said Kuipers in launching the report during his second mission into space. “While there are unsustainable pressures on the planet, we have the ability to save our home, not only for our benefit, but, above all, for generations to come,” he said.

The Living Planet Report uses the global Living Planet Index to measure changes in the health of the planet's ecosystems by tracking 9,000 populations of more than 2,600 species. The global Index shows almost a 30 per cent decrease since 1970, with the tropics the hardest hit – where there has been a 60 per cent decline in less than 40 years. Just as biodiversity is on a downward trend, the Earth’s Ecological Footprint, one of the other key indicators used in the report, illustrates how our demand on natural resources has become unsustainable.

“We are living as if we have an extra planet at our disposal. We are using 50 per cent more resources that the Earth can sustainably produce and unless we change course, that number will grow fast – by 2030 even two planets will not be enough,” said Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International.

The report reinforces the impact of human population growth and over-consumption as critical driving forces behind environmental pressure.

“This report is like a planetary check-up and the results indicate we have a very sick planet,” said Jonathan Baillie, Conservation Programme Director with the Zoological Society of London. “Ignoring this diagnosis will have major implications for humanity. We can restore the planet’s health, but only through addressing the root causes, population growth and over-consumption.”

Impact of urbanization

The report also highlights the impact of urbanization as a growing dynamic – by 2050, two out of every three people will live in a city; and the need for humanity to develop new and improved ways of managing natural resources.

“We can create a prosperous future that provides food, water and energy for the 9 or perhaps 10 billion people who will be sharing the planet in 2050,” added Leape. “Solutions lie in such areas as reducing waste, smarter water management and using renewable sources of energy that are clean and abundant – such as wind and sunlight.”

The difference between rich and poor countries is also underlined in the report. High income countries have an Ecological Footprint on average five times that of low-income countries.

Countries with biggest Ecological Footprint

The top 10 countries with the biggest Ecological Footprint per person are: Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Denmark, United States of America, Belgium, Australia, Canada, Netherlands and Ireland.

Yet according to the global Living Planet Index, declines in biodiversity since 1970 have been most rapid in the lower income countries – demonstrating how the poorest and most vulnerable nations are subsidizing the lifestyles of wealthier countries. Decreasing biocapacity (a region’s capacity to regenerate resources) will require a country to import essential resources from foreign ecosystems – potentially to the long-term detriment of the latter.

“Growing external resource dependencies are putting countries at significant risk. The ecological crisis is becoming a driver for our growing economic pains,” said Mathis Wackernagel, President of Global Footprint Network. “Using ever more nature, while having less is a dangerous strategy, yet most countries continue to pursue this path. Until countries begin tracking and managing their biocapacity deficits, they not only put
the planet at risk, but more importantly, themselves.”

The Living Planet Report outlines a number of solutions needed to reverse the declining Living Planet Index and bring the Ecological Footprint down to within planetary limits. These are set out as 16 priority actions, and include improved consumption patterns, putting an economic value on natural capital, and creating legal and policy frameworks that manage equitable access to food, water and energy.

The report is launched just five weeks before nations, businesses and civil society gather in Rio de Janeiro for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20 ). Twenty years on from the last Earth summit, this meeting is a key opportunity for global leaders to reconfirm their commitment to creating a sustainable future.

“The challenges underlined in the Living Planet Report are clear,” said Leape. “Rio+20 can and must be the moment for governments to set a new course towards sustainability. The meeting is a unique opportunity for coalitions of the committed – of governments, cities and businesses – to join forces and play a crucial role in keeping this a living planet.”

Saving one turtle at a time in Bali

2012-05-13

By Aimee Leslie, WWF's Marine Turtle and Cetacean Manager

Indonesia is 90% Muslim, but Bali is the exception, which is 90% Hindu. The Hindu community of Bali has traditionally used marine turtles for religious ceremonies for decades. Consumption of these turtles summed between 10,000 and 20,000 a year.

It is no secret that changing a tradition, specially a religious one is no easy task; but WWF-Indonesia was determined to do so. The local veterinarian and Hindu, I.B. Windia Adnyana, was aware of the problem and took matters into his own hands. He joined forces with his brother, a local religious leader to talk to the Hindu community and let them know that the turtle ritual could have dire consequences for the survival of the local populations.

The religious leaders listened and wanted to help, but could not eliminate a practice that was still intrinsically knit into their customs. Besides, the whole village of Serangan Island depended mainly on the sales of adult turtles to the Hindu community.

None the less, the local government joined in, and in 1999, measures were agreed on. Only 300 marine turtles per year would be culled for religious purposes. These turtles would be provided only through a permit authorized by the local government. The turtles would only come from the Turtle Education Centre, to be built by the government in Serangan Island.

The Turtle Education Centre would only use five Olive Ridley turtle nests a year, to raise the turtles for Hindu religious ceremonies. This is because adult nesting turtles have a much higher value for the future of their population. In nature only 1 out of every 1000 hatchlings born survives long enough to achieve sexual maturity.

Since 2006 the Turtle Education Centre has been up and running. It provides the Serangan village with more income than they ever had when dedicated to the illegal turtle trade. Students and tourists go to the Centre to see and learn about marine turtles. Though this is not the ideal solution, we’re in the process of getting there. WWF and its local partners were able to make a difference for Indonesia's marine turtles, one turtle at a time.

Working together to save the dolphins of the Mekong River

2012-05-13

By Aimee Leslie, WWF's Marine Turtle and Cetacean Manager

Today the population of 85 Irrawaddy dolphins that inhabits the Mekong River in Cambodia faces great danger. Gill nets, the proposed construction of hydropower dams, and unplanned development all threaten the survival of the Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong.

But today, the biggest challenge faced by WWF scientists is that the calves are dying in very high numbers. A recent population study lead by WWF and the Cambodian Fisheries Administration found that the survival rate of calves through to adulthood was virtually zero. This means that practically all Irrawaddy dolphins born in the Mekong die within the first years of life.

"If this trend continues Irrawaddy dolphins could disappear from Mother Mekong by the end of the decade," said Gerry Ryan, a dolphin researcher at WWF-Cambodia. "The problem is that we are uncertain why so many calves are dying."

In January 2012, WWF convened a dolphin conservation workshop in Kratie, Cambodia that was attended by fifteen of the top cetacean scientists in the world and many local and regional experts. The scientists agreed that gill nets are the primary cause of adult mortality, but the reasons for the high rate of calf mortality are still not clear.

WWF, the Fisheries Administration, and the Dolphin Commission signed the Kratie Declaration, a joint statement in which they agreed to work together to conserve dolphins in the Mekong. The declaration included a long list of recommendations for the conservation of this population.

WWF has been working in Kratie, Cambodia to help save Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins since 2005. The team has worked side by side with the Fisheries Administration to monitor the size of the population, determine causes of mortality through necropsy studies, water quality testing, promote protected areas in key dolphin habitat, and with local organizations to develop alternatives that improve the livelihoods of the surrounding communities, while reducing human pressure on dolphins and their environment.

"The Irrawaddy dolphins attract over 10,000 tourists a year to this province," said Gordon Congdon, Project Manager for WWF-Cambodia. "The survival of this population is important for the livelihoods of the communities along the Mekong River and as an iconic symbol of the rich natural heritage of Cambodia.”

WWF will continue efforts to save Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong River through science based policy development and ongoing research, concurrent with grassroots work with local communities to reduce the threats - for healthy dolphins, healthy rivers, and healthy people.

Female ranger awaits justice for abuses

2012-05-13

By Fidelis Pegue Manga

When Mary Ashu, 29, was posted to serve as forest ranger on the east flank of the Dja Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that straddles the East and South Regions of Cameroon in 2007, she beamed with enthusiasm.

Not long after taking up service, her presence began being felt at a control post near the reserve. Mary would thoroughly search every single vehicle and confiscated bushmeat, panther skins and elephant tusks.

She would lead forest patrols in the reserve, arrest poachers, and bring them them to stand trial in a court 100km from her station. As a result, eight ivory tusks have been seized and 15 poachers have tried and sentenced to jail terms.

The firebrand ranger

Ashu’s unflinching firmness resulted in her being nicknamed “firebrand” game ranger by colleagues. With her on duty, the eastern flank of the reserve became relatively quiet. Poachers were either deterred or sought other trails to smuggle bushmeat and ivory tusks.

Keeping to her mantra “stand by the law at all cost,” Ashu says “My best moment is when I am applying the law while an irate crowd is hauling insults at me.”

It is this steadfastness that prodded her on for five years, although there were moments when her tenacity was put to test. In 2008, a vehicle transporting bushmeat bust through the control post and sped off.

“We pursued the vehicle on a motorbike. The vehicle got stuck in mud 15km away. The driver jumped out and lurched into the bush but I tripped and arrested him,” Ashu said. “We seized gorilla meat, duikers and a giant pangolin from the vehicle.”

Powerful enemies

Despite five years of unflinching determinism and success, Ashu was recently forced to flee her post to seek refuge Cameroon’s capital city, Yaoundé out of fear for her life.

In December Ashu says she and another a female colleague were severely injured by illegal wood exploiters whose wood they attempted to impound. After several scuffles, the illegal loggers rallied a clutch of villagers who severely beat the women. The two were stripped of their epaulettes and held for ransom.

Ashu sustained injuries on her face was incapacitated for 30 days. She lodged a complaint with the justice department seeking redress, but the matter has since stalled. No concrete action has yet been taken against her suspected assailants.

“I was hoping justice would be done. I almost lost my life because I was trying to do just my job,” Ashu says. “Even the expected support from my immediate boss did not come by.”

Smouldering determination

Ashu now waits for justice far from the forest she holds dear. But has this incident put out her fire? “No. I just need support and encouragement from my bosses,” she says. “The threat on my life is unquestionably real. Only unalloyed support from my hierarchy and justice can prod me on.”

“My best moment is when I am applying the law,” Ashu says. “I find satisfaction when I do my job and have results, but from the way things are going, it will be hard to get concrete results.”

“It is disheartening to see what is happening to this firebrand female ranger,” said Fouda Expedit, WWF Park Assistant for Nki National Park. “I had worked with Mary and known her to be courageous and devoted to her work. She would seize bushmeat and bullets, belonging to influential people without fear of reprisal. It is unfortunate that despite her devotion to her job, this is happening to her,” he said.

Despite this low moment Ashu has a word of encouragement for potential female game rangers. “Do your job with love and happiness. No one can hurt you if you stand for the truth,” she says. But for now, Ashu listens to religious music, her favourite pass time, to revive her sinking morale in her Yaoundé abode.

WWF to Total: Virunga "is in your hands"

2012-05-13

WWF has called on French oil company Total to refrain from exploration in Virunga National Park. At a meeting of Total shareholders and investors Friday, WWF hosted a demonstration and published an open letter to the company president.

Total has been granted an oil concession that includes a portion of the World Heritage Site, which is recognized as a treasure of biodiversity. WWF is asking Total to declare Virunga and all World Heritage Sites off limits for oil development.

WWF is concerned that oil exploration could have negative impacts on communities that depend on the park for their livelihoods and on endangered species that live in the park, such as mountain gorillas.

To illustrate to Total investors the threat oil development could have on mountain gorillas, volunteers marked off a symbolic crime scene at the company's annual meeting and launched an online petition.

Open letter: Mr. de Margerie, the future of the oldest African national park is in your hands

To the attention of Mr. Christophe de Margerie,
President and CEO of Total

Dear Sir,

Virunga National Park, located eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, was the first national park to be created on the African continent over 85 years ago.

With its exceptional ecosystems, it also is especially known for hosting over 200 species of mammals including the rare okapi, protected since 1933, but also the mountain and lowland gorillas, two sub-species in critical danger of extinction.

It is thanks to this unique ecological value than Virunga National Park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.

For WWF and its members, the preservation of Virunga National Park is of paramount importance as it is written into the history and identity of our international network which was created in 1961.

This irreplaceable jewel is now under threat.

Sir, you are aware that one of the oil concessions that overlaps the park area is in the hands of Total.
Therefore, we take the opportunity of this annual general meeting to publicly alert you and your shareholders on the dangers posed by your company to the Virunga park and its treasures.

We cannot believe that an industrial group like yours, which upholds the value of sustainable development, can be insensitive to the risks that oil exploration would pose to this area.

That is why WWF asks you to state publicly that the current boundaries of the Virunga park and all the World Heritage Sites are a “no go” for your company.

Yours and our planet,

Isabelle Autissier, President of WWF-France

Serge Orru, Director General of WWF-France

Wild tigers remain vulnerable to poaching in most protected areas

2012-05-12

A recent preliminary assessment of 63 legally protected areas in seven tiger range countries shows that only 22, or 35%, maintain WWF’s minimum standards of protection. This indicates that the areas set up to protect tigers and other threatened species are not necessarily the refuge they are designed to be, says WWF.

“Poaching is the most immediate threat to tigers and protected areas are the first line of defence against poaching,” says Mike Baltzer, Leader of WWF’s Tigers Alive Initiative. “If this preliminary assessment reflects the full situation on-the-ground, then protected areas are not functioning as an effective safe haven for tigers. Without places tigers can be safer from poaching, there is no hope to meet the target of more than 6,000 tigers by 2022.”

In November 2010 at the “Tiger Summit” in St. Petersburg hosted by the Government of Russia and the World Bank, the 13 Tiger Range Governments and partners committed to doubling the number of wild tigers by 2022. From 15-17 May 2012, they will meet again to assess progress and plan the next steps.

Poaching of tigers, to meet consumer demand for their body parts and products, is now the main factor reversing the gains made by governments, donors and other partners working towards the 2022 goal. The meeting in New Delhi next week provides a perfect opportunity for the 13 countries to immediately launch an elevated operation to improve the protection of sites critical to tigers and take deliberate action towards Zero Poaching.

WWF’s internal preliminary assessment covered 84 locations, 63 of which are legally protected areas, in seven of the 12 countries where WWF currently works on tiger conservation. Scientists, researchers and managers working in the field, have determined these sites to be critical for wild tiger population growth.

Each site was evaluated on three critical factors for protecting tigers: the number of protected area staff, the use of law enforcement monitoring tools, and whether the park was officially protected by law. Data for the assessment was collected from published sources and through a survey of WWF field staff and managers of the sites wherever available.

Results from the assessment showed that staff and WWF field personnel from 41 of the 63 protected areas, or 65%, feel there are not enough staff to protect those areas and achieve Zero Poaching. One example is Malaysia’s Royal Belum State Park, critical for the survival of the Malayan tiger and where considerable poaching activity has been documented. Although occupying an area of over 1,000 km2, the park only has 17 enforcement staff. In contrast, protected areas such as Kaziranga National Park in India, with approximately 800 enforcement staff for about 860 km2, have been able to stem poaching activity. In Nepal, 2011 was recently celebrated as a Zero Poaching year for rhinos, which was largely attributed to the increase of range posts across several protected areas from 7 to 51.

The assessment also indicated that only 18 of the protected areas surveyed, or 29%, are currently using computer-based, law enforcement monitoring systems to help them manage their sites more effectively; the majority still rely on manual analysis. The number using computer technology should increase as two new systems, MSTrIPES and SMART, are rolled out in many protected areas in the next few months.

“Clearly, a large number of areas important for tigers urgently need increased investment in protection and enforcement,” said Mr. Craig Bruce, WWF’s expert on enforcement and protection of wild tigers. “Tiger range governments should immediately and dramatically increase their commitment and investment in securing these sites. They should ensure there are sufficient, effective and dedicated enforcement teams on the ground, working towards Zero Poaching.”

WWF has identified three actions tiger range governments can take immediately to launch an elevated operation towards Zero Poaching. These include identifying and delineating the most important sites requiring good protection from poaching, and ensuring these sites have sufficient numbers of enforcement staff who are well trained to monitor and improve their effectiveness by using monitoring systems. WWF also suggests that the police and judiciary need to help to ensure strict punishment on poaching and to actively engage local communities living adjacent to important tiger conservation areas.

For further information:

Soh-Koon Chng, Tigers Alive Initiative, +65 9772 2552, skchng@wwf.org.my

WWF mourns Virunga ranger death

2012-05-11

May 11, 2012 – A ranger and two Congolese soldiers protecting evacuating civilians in Virunga National Park have been gunned down in an ambush, park officials say. The men came under machine gun fire by a group of 100 unidentified militia members while attempting to secure an important transit route.

“We are deeply saddened by the deaths of these men who have served their community so honourably,” said Natasha Kofoworola Quist, WWF-Central Africa Regional Programme Office Representative. “We owe them and their families a debt of gratitude for their courage and sacrifice.”

Ranger Paris Paluku leaves behind a wife and two children. “Paris will be remembered as one of the most courageous men to have worked in the park,” Chief Warden Emmanuel de Merode said. “He was always at the head of any patrol, which put him at risk and ultimately cost him his life.”

Over 150 Virunga rangers have died in the line of duty since 1990.

Virunga National Park, located on Democratic Republic of the Congo’s border with Rwanda and Uganda, has been infiltrated by four distinct militia groups in recent weeks, according to de Merode. Local residents are said to be fleeing the area to avoid violence in “a large scale population displacement,” he said. The park is currently closed to tourists due the ongoing instability.

Earlier this week a militia group entered an area of park that is home to approximately 200 critically endangered mountain gorillas. Currently, the gorillas are not believed to be at risk.

“The situation remains volatile and must be contained so that insecurity does not spread into bordering communities or wildlife habitats,” said Raymond Lumbuenamo, Country Director of WWF-Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A patrol of Congolese and Rwandan rangers who were on a mission to remove poachers’ snares from critical mountain gorilla habitat were forced to flee into Rwanda at the outbreak of unrest. The men are now on their way to safety, according to WWF’s partner organization Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration.

At least 23 of Virunga National Park’s mountain gorillas have been killed since the outbreak of armed conflict in the region in 1990. In February, a mountain gorilla was found dead after being caught in an illegal snare intended for antelope.

There are only an estimated 786 mountain gorillas remaining across Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. WWF works in Virunga National Park to conserve forests, freshwater and species and to help communities better manage natural resources through our Virunga Environmental Programme and the International Gorilla Conservation Programme.

WWF: Elephants in central Africa in urgent danger of poaching

2012-05-09

WWF has learned that there is a imminent threat of elephant poaching in the Central African Republic. We will keep you posted with updates on the situation as they emerge.

Countdown starts for presidential veto on Brazil Forest Code

2012-05-09

Brasilia, Brazil: Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has until May 25 to decide whether to veto a draft rewrite of Brazil’s Forest Code that will wind back protections against deforestation in the Amazon and other areas and offer wide ranging amnesties for illegal deforestation.

The 15 working day period for a complete or partial veto on the Forest Code submitted by the Brazilian Congress commenced last Monday (May 7), when the bill was officially handed to the president. In absence of a veto, the new law would be sanctioned automatically once the deadline has passed.

“While big landowners will make a mint through unprecedented natural destruction, the costs, caused for example by increasing floods and landslides, will be delegated to the general public. That’s a serious attack on all Brazilians”, said Maria Cecília Wey de Brito, CEO from WWF-Brazil.

Along with a broad alliance of more than 200 institutions from the Brazilian civil society and international NGOs Avaaz and Greenpeace, WWF is strongly urging President Rousseff to veto the entire draft, recalling her promise from last elections not to approve any bill that includes an amnesty and favours forest deforestation.

Should Ms Rousseff veto the law – as a whole or parts of it – the Congress will have up to 30 days to consider the veto. The Congress can still overthrow the president’s decision during a joint session of the federal Senate and House of Deputies. This requires the absolute majority of votes from both houses.

The draft includes an amnesty for illegal deforestation committed prior to July 2008. According to a study by the Brazilian Institute of Applied Research in Economics (Ipea), that would release landowners from the obligation of restoring an area of 135 million hectares with just one condition: Landowners need to state that deforestation had occurred before July 2008.

Areas that have (officially) been cleared after July 2008 still need to be restored, but under the terms of the law, up to 50 per cent of this restoration may comprise commercial plantations of, for instance, eucalyptus or pine trees. WWF is also concerned by the largely weakened protection for fragile habitats like rivers, slopes and mountain tops.

The need to restore vegetation on the banks of rivers that are less than 10 meters wide – which accounts for 90 percent of Brazilian rivers – will be cut by half. Furthermore the draft allows agricultural activities like exotic tree plantations for charcoal or pulp production on lands having over 45° gradient.

Extensive cattle ranching will be allowed on slopes, on the edges of plateaus, on mountain tops as well as in areas which are above 1,800 meters high. All those risk areas will be open to exploitation, which will make them and people living around them even more vulnerable to landslides and floods.

SKF Group joins WWF Climate Savers with ambitious climate action programme

2012-05-08

Rotterdam, Netherlands: SKF Group, a leading global supplier of bearings, seals, mechatronics, lubrication systems and services has announced an ambitious series of emissions reductions measures as it became the world’s first industrial engineering company to join WWF’s Climate Savers Programme.

SKF’s climate strategy includes aggressive targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for SKF, its suppliers and logistics operations, as well as from its customer solutions.

“SKF is in a unique position as an industrial engineering company to influence the emissions of many companies within a range of segments,” said Håkan Wirtén, Secretary General of WWF Sweden.

“They show their level of commitment through their targets, which go beyond the direct emissions of the company itself while driving positive change throughout the supply chain. We are particularly encouraged by the way in which SKF is willing to take the lead on quantifying and communicating the environmental benefits enabled by their products and solutions.”

The SKF Group and WWF agree that there is a substantial role for the business community to play as a driving force behind the transition to a low-carbon economy and intend to work together in the Climate Savers programme to reduce the SKF Group’s emissions of GHGs, with particular focus on carbon dioxide (CO2).

“With our new climate strategy, we intend to be a leader in our sector to reduce emissions from both our own operations, but also to lead the way in helping our suppliers and customers reduce their emissions,” says Tom Johnstone, SKF President and CEO.

“We are very proud to join with WWF as the first industrial engineering company to join the Climate Savers program and look forward to continue using our engineering knowledge to make the world a cleaner place for us all.”
SKF’s updated climate strategy and WWF Climate Savers commitment includes the following targets:
Reduce the total annual energy use of the SKF Group by 5 % below the 2006 level by 2016.

• Reduce the energy use per production output by 5% year-on-year during the period (2012-2016).

• Require that 100% of our energy-intensive suppliers are certified according to the new Energy Management Standard ISO 50001 by the end of 2016.

• Reduce CO2 emissions/tonne-km for all transport managed by SKF Logistics Services by 30% below 2011 level by 2016.

• Increase the revenue from the BeyondZero portfolio from 2.5 Billion SEK in 2011 to 10 Billion SEK in 2016.

For further information:

Philippe Weiler, Senior Partnerships Manager, Global Climate and Energy Initiative, WWF International, pweiler@wwf.eu , +32 478 765 231

Barbara Evaeus, Manager Climate Communications, WWF Sweden, barbara.evaeus@wwf.se, +46 (0)70 393 9030

About WWF Climate Savers programme
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries.

WWF Climate Savers (www.panda.org/climatesavers) is a programme catalyzing global business leadership towards a low carbon economy. Climate Savers companies are proving that cutting carbon emissions and spurring economic growth can go hand in hand. Over the past decade, with the support of WWF, these leading companies have collectively decreased their cumulative CO2 emissions by 50 million tons (equivalent to the annual
emissions of a country like Switzerland). Leading by example, these companies are creating competitive advantage and increasing shareholder value. Together they are leading climate change action throughout the business community.

WWF Climate Savers companies cut 100 million tonnes of greenhouse gases

2012-05-08

Gland, 9 May 2012 - Corporate members of WWF's Climate Savers programme cut their carbon dioxide emissions by more than 100 million tonnes over the period 1999 to 2011, according to an independent review of the programme released today. The figure is equivalent to double the current annual emissions of Switzerland.

The review, conducted by the international energy consultancy Ecofys, also finds that as Climate Savers companies continue to deliver on their commitments up to 2020, overall emissions savings since 1999 could exceed 350 million tonnes. This is roughly equivalent to the current annual emissions of Spain.

Current Climate Savers members include Alpro, Arjowiggins Graphic, Catalyst, The Coca-Cola Company, Collins Companies, Diversey, Elopak, Eneco, Fairmont, HP, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, KPN, Lafarge, National Geographic, Natura, Nike, Nokia Siemens Networks, Novo Nordisk, Resolute Forest Products, Sofidel, Sprint, Tetra Pak, Sagawa, Sony, Supervalu and Volvo. Commitments by former members Nokia, Polaroid and Spitsbergen were also included in the analysis.

"The leadership shown by Climate Savers confirms that companies in diverse sectors can do good business and take a bite out of climate change,” says Alexander Quarles van Ufford, Senior Partnerships Manager at WWF International. “Resource efficiency and the goal of a low-carbon economy have to become part of the corporate DNA, particularly given high fuel and commodity prices."

WWF is releasing the results to coincide with three days of meetings it is holding in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, where it will encourage existing Climate Savers companies and other corporations to further boost industry efforts against global warming.

The Ecofys analysis points up the potential for achieving far greater emissions cuts. It finds that were other major corporations to follow the Climate Savers’ lead in only the current 16 business sectors where the programme is active, between 500 and 1000 million tonnes of emissions could be avoided annually in 2020, an amount roughly comparable to the current annual emissions of Germany.

Ecofys says these reductions could contribute up to 9% to closing what UNEP calls the 'emissions gap'. The gap is the difference between rising greenhouse gas emissions and what is needed to put the world on a path to limiting global warming to the maximum acceptable level of 2 degrees Celsius.

“Greater voluntary efforts by industry are possible and essential. But the size of the task means it cannot be accomplished solely by voluntary business action. Governments have to strengthen the international policy framework to mandate deeper emission reductions,” says Alexander Quarles van Ufford, of WWF.

Ecofys gathered emissions data from Climate Savers companies and then forecast emissions for the period after 2011 based on each company's commitment. They developed a 'business-as-usual' scenario showing emissions levels if companies had not taken on commitments. Annual savings in emissions were the difference between business-as-usual and real and forecast emissions.

The emission calculations include direct emissions from a company's operations (so-called 'scope 1'), indirect emissions (scope 2) from use of purchased electricity, heat or steam and other indirect emissions (scope 3) from the supply chain but not under the company's control.

Kornelis Blok, Director of Science at Ecofys, who was closely involved in the analysis says: "We have seen many corporations pledge emissions reductions. The Ecofys analysis shows that there are not only good intentions but also that a tangible impact is being achieved."

Young Nepalese-Belgian environmentalist wins prestigious international award

2012-05-08

Rotterdam: Dawa Steven Sherpa, 28-year-old mountain guide and adventure pioneer, has been awarded the first ever WWF International President’s Award during a special ceremony at global conservation organization WWF’s Annual Conference in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Now a professional guide, mountaineer and conservation activist in the Himalayan region where he grew up, Dawa Steven Sherpa is a graduate in business administration and heads an adventure trekking company that encourages respect for nature among mountaineers and explorers. He had climbed four 8,000-metre peaks by the age of 24 – including Mount Everest, twice.

The new WWF International President’s Award has been created to acknowledge and encourage outstanding achievements of young people under the age of 30 who are making strong and compelling contributions to nature conservation around the world.

“It is my great pleasure to present this inaugural WWF International President’s Award to such an inspiring and exceptional young individual as Dawa Steven Sherpa – who has already inspired so many to take action to save the planet,” said Yolanda Kakabadse, WWF International President.

“This new award enables WWF to shine a light on brilliant young people who are working in the field to protect the natural world, and my dearest wish is that it inspires others with the energy and ambition to achieve great heights too. We desperately need young leaders and pioneers in nature conservation. If anyone can inspire others to do their bit for the planet, it is Dawa Steven Sherpa.”

Raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, Dawa Steven has been organizing successful Eco Everest Expeditions since 2008 – drawing international attention to the impact of climate change on Himalayan people and their environment. His expeditions use solar cookers, and he started a ‘cash for trash’ scheme where climbers are paid to bring garbage back down off the mountain. He also works with local youth to inspire and empower them to become active in mountain protection.

The WWF International President’s Award will be presented annually, and nominations are invited via WWF offices around the world.

Other awards presented during this year’s WWF International Annual Conference include the WWF Award for Conservation Merit, that goes to leading Bulgarian conservationist Toma Belev and Wouter van Dieren, Member of the Club of Rome and Director of IMSA Amsterdam, a leading European think-tank on sustainability and innovation. The WWF Member of Honour was awarded to Fulco Pratesi of Italy, for his outstanding contribution to WWF over a period of 45 years, and to Frans Lanting, one of the greatest wildlife photographers of our time.

The posthumous WWF International Roll of Honour this year commemorates Dr Carl Mannerfelt of Sweden, and Canadian-German Dr Susan Mainka – marking their exceptional dedication to the conservation cause. The WWF Gold Panda, recognising significant generosity in supporting WWF financially, has been awarded to Frank Leeman and Boudewijn Poelmann of the Dutch Novamedia Foundation.

Poor environmental performance seen as risk in palm oil investment

2012-04-29

Singapore - Environmental and social impacts of palm oil plantations could pose a material risk to investment in the fast growing sector, according to an investor survey released by WWF to a recent high-level meeting of investors and producers.

WWF’s first-of-its-kind Palm Oil Investor Review 2012 underlines how growing concern over deforestation, biodiversity loss and community conflict could impact the industry and shows the intensifying spotlight being placed by investors on the sustainability of the palm oil industry.

More than 50 million tonnes of palm oil are used worldwide each year in everyday products including food and cosmetics. From 2010 to 2020, this volume is projected to increase by over 65%. The growing demand for palm oil has resulted in rapid and poorly managed expansion of production, causing deforestation, species loss, greenhouse gas emissions and social conflicts with local communities.

“Investors are increasingly aware of the strong link between sustainability and long term investment success,” said WWF’s Jeanne Stampe, co-author of the report. “Investee companies that integrate sustainability into the core strategy and operations are better able to mitigate risks and exploit opportunities, thereby deriving business benefits and delivering better investment performance."

WWF surveyed 35 key palm oil sector investors to assess their views and management of the sustainability challenges inherent in the palm oil industry.

Nearly two thirds of the investors surveyed are experiencing increasing demand for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) screens from their institutional clients and this is magnifying their focus on ESG issues. Even passive investors such as index funds are starting to show interest in new ESG overlays.

While a larger majority of investors (69%) already apply a responsible investment policy, many of these policies do not extend beyond governance, however over 50% of investors would consider creating dedicated policies e.g. a broader sustainable land-use policy.

Investors do face internal organizational constraints in addressing ESG risks such as the lack of internal ESG capabilities or firm-wide access to internal ESG analysts, but several are actively looking at internal strategic options to address these constraints, for example formulating centralised ESG risk functions and boosting internal ESG analyst teams.

“The palm oil sector presents an attractive growth proposition for investors, but ESG issues and the lack of company disclosure still cloud the ability of many to invest,” said Stampe.

According to investors, reputational risk, poor environmental performance and lack of company ESG disclosure pose the greatest challenges to greater investment into the sector and the key factors to overcome these are availability of key data, the strengthening of the RSPO, demonstrable progress by its members toward certification and legislative changes that support the RSPO.

Investors see the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) as the most influential initiative and the de facto standard for investment screens, but want it to cover more issues such as corruption and have “more teeth”, to ensure that members make and meet their commitments towards sustainable palm oil.

WWF support

WWF sees the financial sector as an important driver of sustainable palm oil production and trade. “Investors are uniquely placed to influence investee companies to adopt sustainable practices through active engagement and exercise of proxy voting rights, and through directing their investment capital towards sustainable palm oil producers,” said Stampe.

The report provides in-depth recommendations to assist investors to overcome some of these challenges so as to maximise their ability to guide the industry. WWF will continue to support the financial sector by providing information and guidance through tools, research updates, and workshops with finance sector partners.

”If we all – investors, the RSPO and stakeholders such as WWF – work together, we can ensure that the palm oil industry expands in a sustainable way, so that long-term investment returns are enhanced and emerging economies benefit from sustainable development.” said Jeanne Stampe.

For further information:

Chris Chaplin - Media Officer Asia Pacific, WWF International,
+86 10 6511 6272, Mobile: +86 13911747472, cchaplin@wwf.sg

WWF deeply concerned over deaths of vulnerable Yangtze finless porpoises

2012-04-28

Beijing – WWF is deeply concerned over the reported deaths of over 32 vulnerable Yangtze finless porpoises since the beginning of the year, and is working with authorities and local communities to prevent the tragedy from reoccurring.

Since 3 March 2012, more than 32 porpoises have been found dead in Dongting and Poyang lakes - nine of them over a one-week period.

The only freshwater finless porpoise in the world, the Yangtze finless porpoise lives mainly in the Yangtze River and two large lakes – Dongting and Poyang – and the recent spike in deaths is raising concerns that the rare animals are being pushed closer to extinction.

“This tragedy shows that Yangtze finless porpoise is facing enormous challenges,” said Lei Gang, head of WWF China’s Central Yangtze programme. “The porpoise deaths illustrates that without effective measures to fundamentally reverse the trend of ecological deterioration, future of the incredible creature is far from certain. We have to act immediately.”

Illegal fishing, accidents part of the blame

Analysis of the deaths reveal an a long list of culprits thought to be pushing the rare species’ numbers down, including electrofishing, which uses electricity to stun fish before they are caught, accidents with boat engine propellers, food shortages and poison.

An April 17 autopsy report from the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences shows that two Yangtze finless porpoise were killed by
electrofishing and boat engine propellers.

Additional claims that pollution is to blame for the porpoise deaths require further investigation, and no exact deadline has been set for the results.

There is presently little evidence to point to food shortage as a cause of death, but some experts say that climate change, which has affected Yangtze water levels, is making it increasingly for the porpoises to find food.

A 2006 survey from the IHB found about 1,800 Yangtze finless porpoise in the Yangtze River and connected lakes, with a decreasing rate of 6.4% each year. From 2006 - 2010, the number of Yangtze finless porpoise in Dongting Lake has decreased to 198, with an average decreasing rate of 7.9% each year.

Solutions

China’s Ministry of Agriculture and the Yueyang municipal government have accepted recommendations from leading Chinese cetacean experts with WWF input and are now considering immediate in-site conservation measures in Dongting Lake, as opposed to earlier suggestions to relocate the remaining porpoises elsewhere.

The local government has also promised implement a ban on illegal fishing, regulate sand dredging, and limit shipping speeds. Additional measures include better pollution control and increased investments in existing nature reserves.

“WWF welcomes central and local government’s commitments, and will work with experts to explore effective in-site conservation solutions,” said Mr. Lei Gang. “In-site conservation for the Yangtze finless porpoise should be prioritized in Dongting lake and Poyang lake, which house 1/3rd of the rare species’ population. As a backup, WWF is also exploring sites outside of the lakes as a salvage measure to help maintain a stable porpoise population in the future.”

In May 2012, WWF is planning to organize a dolphin survey in Dongting Lake with IHB to determine the current population size in Dongting. Based on the survey results, more concrete conservation measures will be proposed to China central and local government.

For more information contact

Zeng Ming (曾铭), Head of Press, WWF China, +86 10 6511 6298, mzeng@wwfchina.org

Population of world's most endangered leopard grows in China

2012-04-27

Changchun, China - Northeast China’s Jilin Province Department of Forestry says the endangered Amur leopard population has almost doubled in the province, and now numbers between 8 and 11 individuals according to findings from a new survey.

The results from the first-ever study to exclusively examine Amur leopards shows that traces of the rare big cats are now being found over a much larger area in and outside of northeast China’s Hunchun and Wangqing Nature Reserves, covering about 4100km², an area similar in size to French Polynesia.

“The Amur leopard is critically endangered, and this research into population monitoring, habitat restoration and population migration characteristics is urgent for the survival of the species,” said the head of WWF-China’s Northeast Programme Office, Dr Zhu Jiang.

The Amur leopard is incredibly rare in the wild, and the species is the most endangered feline in the world, surpassing even the Amur tiger in rarity. Less than 50 now live in north eastern China and the Russian Far East.

Survey brings clarity

Compared to data from a 1998-1999 survey on tigers - which also picked up traces of Amur leopards - the new study found evidence that the leopard’s distribution area in China expanded further to the northwest of Jilin province and towards the Sino-Russian border in the east. This represents an area 3-4 times bigger than previous findings, and a leopard population that’s 1.8 times larger.  

“The results of this new survey show even more clearly that the Hunchun-Wangqing habitat is an important one for the Amur leopard, and that the nearby Changbai Mountain leopard population is essential to support the continued survival of the Russian Far East population group. The two areas are indispensible to the recovery of the global Amur leopard population, and are the greatest hope for expanding both the population and the habitat of the species,” said Dr. Zhu Jiang.

First known survey on China’s wild Amur leopard population

This is the first time China has conducted a survey that exclusively focuses on Amur leopard population numbers, habitat location and habitat size in Jilin Province. The next stage, says Jilin Forestry Department’s Senior Engineer and Tiger-Leopard Programme Officer Jiang Jinsong, will cover a larger area, using infrared camera traps and DNA monitoring technology.

“Based on the results of this survey, the first trial areas will be the Hunchun and Wangqing reserves, where constant collection of information on individuals as well as monitoring of activity patterns among the general population will serve to build up a core of information on the settled Amur leopard and Siberian tiger populations,” said Jiang Jinsong.

WWF’s role

WWF will continue to work with the Jilin Forestry Department, Hunchun Nature Reserve and Wangqing Forestry Bureau to continue monitoring population trends, assess habitat quality and the restoration of prey species. WWF will also maintain its contributions to the development of monitoring technology and anti-poaching management to help restore the Amur leopard population in China.

For more information contact:

Zeng Ming (曾铭), Head of Press, WWF China, +86 10 6511 6298, mzeng@wwfchina.org

Sanctuary boundaries need to extend south to protect last 55 Maui’s dolphins

2012-04-27

Wellington, New Zealand – WWF-New Zealand is calling on the Department of Conservation to help protect the world’s remaining Maui’s dolphins by extending the boundary of the Marine Mammal Sanctuary further south and suspending all current mining and seismic activity in their habitat.

The Department of Conservation’s call for submissions on its interim proposal to extend the West Coast North Island Marine Mammal Sanctuary close today, 27 April.

Milena Palka, WWF-New Zealand Marine Advocate, said: “The number one threat to the survival of our Maui’s dolphins is fishing with nets. However with the population so perilously low, all other human threats including boat strike, seismic surveys and seabed mining (for minerals such as iron sands) need to be removed from their habitat to give these dolphins a fighting chance at survival. Extending the current sanctuary boundaries and imposing a suspension on these activities until they can be adequately assessed is crucial.”

Maui’s dolphins, and their South Island relative Hector’s, are the smallest and rarest marine dolphins in the world. Last month, DOC released a new official population estimate revealing there are likely just 55 Maui’s over the age of one.[1] The previous official estimate from 2006 was 111 individuals. The species is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN.

In response to the Maui’s decline, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson and Primary Industries Minister David Carter have proposed added interim protection measures while a full review of the threats is undertaken.

WWF-New Zealand has responded to DOC’s proposal for interim extension of the West Coast North Island (WCNI) Marine Mammal Sanctuary, including an extension on the seismic survey regulations within the sanctuary, by urging a more precautionary approach. In a submission, the global conservation organisation argues that the sanctuary boundary must be further extended along the entire coast from Maunganui Bluff (near Dargaville) to Hawera in Taranaki, to cover all harbours and waters out to 100 meters deep.

WWF is also calling on the corridor that links the top of the South Island from Farewell Spit to Harewa to be protected, to allow Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins to connect. New biopsy data reveals that there is evidence of Hector’s travelling north to coexist with Maui’s. This opens up the possibility of future breeding and replenishment of the dangerously low Maui’s population.

This marine corridor is currently totally unprotected, despite evidence the dolphins are found in this area. A Hector’s dolphin was reported killed in a commercial set net off the coast of Taranaki in January this year, and subsequently identified by Ministry of Fisheries officials as a Maui’s.

“The proposed interim protection measures are inadequate to stop the extinction of the Maui’s”, said Milena Palka. “For Maui’s dolphins to survive, they need complete protection across their entire range. With as few as 55 individuals left, there can be no room for error.”

For more information please contact

Rosa Argent, Communications Manager, WWF-New Zealand: +64 4 471 4292, rargent@wwf.org.nz

Revised Brazilian Forest Code good for environmental criminals, bad for forests

2012-04-26

Gland, Switzerland – Brazil’s Congress passed legislation late last night that strips the Amazon and other key regions of critical environmental protections, and grants amnesty to individuals accused of past illegal deforestation.

WWF condemns the new Forest Code bill, driven by retrograde sectors of Brazil’s powerful agribusiness industry, for its failure to account for severe social and environmental costs. Since 2006, Brazil has demonstrated that it can dramatically reduce its rate of deforestation while increasing agricultural production and reducing poverty. This bill threatens hard-won gains for both the environment and Brazilian society.

The bill now goes before President Dilma Rousseff, who will have 15 days to decide whether or not to sign it into national law or apply veto power to the full text or parts of it.

“President Rousseff made a promise that she would not tolerate laws promoting new waves of deforestation or amnesty for past forest crimes. She knows these changes are bad for Brazil and bad for the environment. We ask her to uphold her promises,” said Maria Cecilia Wey de Brito, CEO of WWF-Brazil.

The proposed amnesties would not only free environmental criminals from prosecution, but also forfeit an estimated US$4.8 billion in fines.

“WWF looks to President Rousseff to resist the short-sighted and senseless reform to the forest law that has been passed by the Brazilian House of Representatives today,” said Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International.

“In a year that will see world political, business and civil society leaders gather in Rio de Janeiro for the UN Summit on Sustainable Development, it would be a shame indeed for Brazil to surrender its position as a global leader in forest conservation. I urge the president to vigorously resist the most egregious elements of the new law, for the future of Brazil’s economy, its natural heritage and its people,” said Leape.

WWF has highlighted the worst impacts of the proposed forest law reform, as well as viable alternatives – such as smarter land-use planning and compensating landowners for environmental services – that would optimise forest management, while minimising negative repercussions on precious and fragile natural resources.

Negative elements of the proposed amendment to the Forest Code:

The draft amendment notably complicates Brazil’s forest legislation, making it nearly impossible to implement and enforce.
Millions of acres illegally cleared prior to 2008 will be legalized through amnesty, resulting in a forfeiture of fines worth an estimated US$4.8 billion.
In the Amazon region, landowners could be allowed to reduce the obligatory required forest cover from 80% to 50%.
Up to 90% of private properties in Brazil could be pardoned from the standing obligation to restore illegally cleared areas.
Large areas of floodplains and other sensitive areas will be opened to cattle ranching and farming.
Forecasted consequences
According to Brazil’s government-led research organization IPEA (Institute for Applied Economic Research), the new legislation could lead to the loss of up to 76.5 million hectares (190 million acres) of forest, which translates to 28 billion tonnes of added CO2 in the atmosphere.
Brazil’s economy, and in particular its agribusiness sector, will suffer from damaged global reputation, decreased access to markets for sustainably-sourced goods, and higher production costs as a consequence of increased erosion and greater need for fertilizers and/or pesticides.
Brazil will likely fail to meet its own international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation rates.

Alternatives to reduced environmental protections

Land-use planning for up to 61 million hectares (150 million acres) of underproductive pastures, which are readily available for cultivation without additional deforestation.
Increase the efficiency of Brazil’s livestock sector.
Introduction of a strategy for sustainable production in Brazil’s farming and livestock sectors.
Implementation and increase of national and international mechanisms for compensation to landowners for environmental services.

Indian Ocean fishing commission begins to embrace sustainability

2012-04-26

Fremantle, Australia: After more than a decade lagging behind all of the worlds other Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) has begun to move towards sustainable management of the ocean’s fisheries.

WWF welcomes the long overdue endorsement of a precautionary approach for Indian Ocean tuna management as well as some basic elements of sustainable management measures including turtle and seabird protection. First steps have also been adopted for the management of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), anchored or free floating platforms around which fish congregate.

The IOTC’s 16th meeting, held in Freemantle, Australia, was noted for the increasing engagement of Indian Ocean island and coastal states.

Precautionary approach

The two proposals to implement the precautionary approach for Indian Ocean tuna management, in line with international standards for sustainable fisheries, were put forward by the island countries of Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles.

“The delegation from Maldives are delighted that they were able to gather consensus on adopting the Precautionary Approach - an important sea change in managing tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean. We are thankful to Mauritius and Seychelles, the co-sponsors of the Resolution, Australia, the EU, the Secretariat, and in particular to India for their continued support and understanding", said Dr Hussain R Hassan, the Minister of State for Fisheries and Agriculture for the Maldives

“The Maldives prides itself on careful management of nature’s resources and is glad to lead the way in sustainable fisheries management in this Ocean, and look forward to further develop work on harvest control measures with the other nations of the Indian Ocean”.

Most crucially, the meeting adopted the precautionary approach in general as a binding resolution. The second proposal, laying out management measures for implementing the precautionary approach, was unfortunately only adopted as a recommendation to the Scientific Committee for use in developing its advice, rather than a binding resolution.

The meeting however, still leaves the fisheries of the Indian Ocean without basic measures such as catch limits or specific measures on sharks, dolphins and other cetaceans that are impacted by tuna fisheries.

An EU proposal, strongly supported by Australia, to extend protection to the more vulnerable sharks, failed to achieve consensus.

"tuna market is worth more than three billion U.S. dollars"
“The Indian Ocean´s tuna market is worth more than three billion U.S. dollars annually, providing livelihoods to hundreds of thousands of fishermen, and vital food for local communities”, said Daniel Suddaby, Tuna Manager for WWF’s Smart Fishing Initiative.

“Only if managed sustainably can we avoid risking these vital natural resources and the livelihoods that depend upon them.”

WWF hopes the IOTC and its Member States will continue their efforts towards developing a precautionary management of tuna in the Indian Ocean with clear harvest control strategies and fair and equitable allocation of catch.