|
15 November 2002
Mahogany, sharks, dolphins and
whales get a fighting chance
 Creating
free trade zones has become a hot topic in South America, but this
week trade of another kind was on the minds of many in Santiago
as world governments met to discuss the international trade in threatened
and endangered species.
The suits and skirts walked away from the meeting with what must
have been a warm feeling in their hearts after agreeing to regulate
trade to protect mahogany, sharks, sea horses and dolphins. In addition,
they resisted moves to reopen the trade in whale products.
It was a historic victory for the Amazon rainforest when delegates
to the Conventional on International Trade in Endangered Species
(CITES) voted in favour of a proposal that would lead to controlled,
sustainable trade in Big Leaf Mahogany. Similar proposals had been
submitted for the last 10 years and this year a proposal from Nicaragua
and Guatemala was finally accepted. The protection of mahogany will
have massive implications for the protection of the Amazon and forests
in Latin America. Similar action is now required on threatened tree
species in other parts of the world.
Tim Birch attended the entire meeting for Greenpeace and believes
that significant progress has been made at this meeting to protect
some of the world's most threatened species. "While many of
the world's threatened plants and animals continue to be put under
pressure by the demands of international trade, in particular marine
life we hope that this meeting marks a turning point getting governments
to act responsibly and take action to protect species threatened
by the global economy."
At last CITES countries have realised that ocean resources are
not infinite and are being seriously impacted by commercial trade.
However, many countries, including Japan, Russia, Norway, China
and Iceland strongly opposed any attempt for CITES to protect Toothfish
(Chilean Sea Bass) under threat by large-scale poaching in the Southern
ocean around Antarctica. Illegal fishing of Toothfish is also threatening
many species of Albatross with extinction as these sea birds get
trapped in the longlines of fishers.
We are looking forward to seeing the Toothfish get protected at
the next CITES meeting says Desley Mather, Greenpeace oceans campaigner
from the meeting.
"Marine species are under enormous strain and clearly need
protection from the pressures of international fish trade. Unfortunately,
many governments are all too willing to regulate but only in favour
of the powerful fishing lobby's short term interests," said
Desley.
CITES was established to regulate and control international trade
in wildlife species. It provides three regulatory options in the
form of Appendices. Animals and plants listed under Appendix I are
excluded from international commercial trade except in very special
circumstances. Commercial trade is permitted for species listed
under Appendix II but it is strictly controlled based on CITES permits
or certificates. Appendix II includes species that are protected
within the borders of a member country.
|
whales | whaling | environmental impacts | solutions | greenpeace & the whales
