Posted on November, 04 2002

Hong Kong - As the Twelfth Conference of the Parties (COP 12) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) opens, WWF Hong Kong, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) and TRAFFIC East Asia (TEA) is drawing attention to several issues of critical concern for conservation. The COP 12 is meeting in Santiago, Chile, from 3-15 November 2002, to discuss and decide on 54 proposals to list species on the Appendices for regulation and monitoring of international trade, or removing some species from the Appendices. WWF Hong Kong, KFBG and TEA have highlighted two major categories of wildlife species that are of particular significance to Hong Kong people - turtles and tortoises, and several species of marine fish. Significant trade in many of the species are for food markets and manufacture of traditional medicines and turtle jelly. "The seizures of over 10,000 illegally imported turtles and tortoises in Hong Kong last year further highlight the large volume of illegal international wildlife trade, and underscore Hong Kong's role in this trade," said Dr. Michael Lau, KFBG Senior Conservation Officer. "KFBG played a significant role in coordinating the transfer of many confiscated turtles to conservation breeding centres worldwide to develop assurance colonies. We supported proposals put forward in the Technical Workshop on Conservation of and Trade-in Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises organised by the CITES Secretariat in Kunming earlier this year to list some threatened Asian turtle species on the Appendix II of CITES. We believe CITES listing will help monitor and regulate the trade of Asian turtles, which will safeguard the animals from extinction!" There are twelve proposals for Asian turtles and tortoises which are widely traded in Hong Kong and southern China. The three organisations support the proposed Appendix II listings. "Wild populations of these species, some of which already listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN, are declining in most of their range due to apparently unsustainable collection and poor enforcement of trade controls," said Mr. Samuel Lee, TEA Programme Officer. "In the long term, it is also important to enlist the support of the major user groups to develop feasible resource management plans and adjust demand, " Mr. Lee further noted. "We also support the proposed Appendix II listing of Whale Sharks, Basking Sharks, and Humphead Wrasse," said Ms. Alex Yau, WWF Hong Kong Conservation Manager. "All three species of fish are being caught in substantial numbers through directed fisheries and as bycatch, but they are extremely vulnerable to exploitation, due to their slow growth, low reproductive rate, long gestation periods, and late maturity." Enforcement of fishery agreements, where they do exist, for commercial offshore fisheries has been confounded by the migratory and non-territorial nature of many such fishery resources. Ms. Yau further noted, "The listing of these species of fishes, if approved by the Parties, would further strengthen fisheries management procedures and provide a mechanism for monitoring international trade. "Hong Kong consumers must also recognise the role they play in wildlife trade," said Ms. Alex Yau. " If Hong Kong consumers want to enjoy sustainable supply of the diverse wildlife resources, trade regulations and monitoring alone are not sufficient - consumer attitudes must change." For more information: Ms Alex Yau WWF Hong Kong Tel: +852 2526 1011 Email: wwf@wwf.org.hk Ms Idy Wong KFBG Tel: +852 2488 0166 Email: wly@kfbg.org Mr. Samuel Lee TRAFFIC East Asia Tel: +852 2530 0587 Email: tea@pccw.imsbiz.com