Regional cooperation on policy, enforcement and IUU fishing:

the CITES example

Yvonne Sadovy, University of Hong KongIUCN Groupers &Wrasses Specialist Group

Patrick L. Colin

‘Poster child’ for LRFTand vulnerable reef fishin need of managementfor sustainable useCITES App II - 2004

Focus is Napoleon (humphead=HHW) wrasse Focus is Napoleon (humphead=HHW) wrasse as the most threatened fish in the luxury LRFFTas the most threatened fish in the luxury LRFFT

Napoleon symbolizes and typifies many problems Napoleon symbolizes and typifies many problems and challenges in the LRFFT tradeand challenges in the LRFFT trade

Teaches us important lessons – symbolic of what Teaches us important lessons – symbolic of what will happen if current practices do not improve will happen if current practices do not improve and how regional cooperation can helpand how regional cooperation can help

Reminds us that Reminds us that biological sustainabilitybiological sustainability is is foundationfoundation of sustainable trade irrespective of of sustainable trade irrespective of trade practicestrade practices

Focus is Napoleon (humphead=HHW) wrasse Focus is Napoleon (humphead=HHW) wrasse as most threatened fish in the luxury LRFFTas most threatened fish in the luxury LRFFT

Napoleon symbolizes and typifies many problems Napoleon symbolizes and typifies many problems and challenges in the LRFFT tradeand challenges in the LRFFT trade

Teaches us important lessons – symbolic of what Teaches us important lessons – symbolic of what will happen if current practices do not improve will happen if current practices do not improve and how regional cooperation can helpand how regional cooperation can help

Reminds us that Reminds us that biological sustainabilitybiological sustainability is is foundationfoundation of sustainable trade irrespective of of sustainable trade irrespective of trade practicestrade practices

Focus is Napoleon (humphead=HHW) wrasse Focus is Napoleon (humphead=HHW) wrasse as the most threatened fish in the luxury LRFFTas the most threatened fish in the luxury LRFFT

Napoleon symbolizes and typifies many problems Napoleon symbolizes and typifies many problems and challenges in the LRFFT tradeand challenges in the LRFFT trade

Teaches us important lessons of what Teaches us important lessons of what will happen if current practices do not improve will happen if current practices do not improve and how regional cooperation can helpand how regional cooperation can help

Reminds us that Reminds us that biological sustainabilitybiological sustainability is is foundationfoundation of sustainable trade irrespective of of sustainable trade irrespective of trade practicestrade practices

Focus is Napoleon (humphead=HHW) wrasse Focus is Napoleon (humphead=HHW) wrasse as the most threatened fish in the luxury LRFFTas the most threatened fish in the luxury LRFFT

Napoleon symbolizes and typifies many problems Napoleon symbolizes and typifies many problems and challenges in the LRFFT tradeand challenges in the LRFFT trade

Teaches us important lessons – symbolic of what Teaches us important lessons – symbolic of what will happen if current practices do not improve will happen if current practices do not improve and how regional cooperation can helpand how regional cooperation can help

Reminds us that Reminds us that biological sustainabilitybiological sustainability is is foundationfoundation of sustainable trade irrespective of of sustainable trade irrespective of trade practicestrade practices

ChronologyChronology

•CITES App II 2004CITES App II 2004- first reef food fish to be listed- first reef food fish to be listed

•Biological overfishing/habitat issuesBiological overfishing/habitat issues - overcapacity/destructive fishing- overcapacity/destructive fishing

•Assessments and quotas (NDFs) establishedAssessments and quotas (NDFs) established•Additional legislation/measures introducedAdditional legislation/measures introduced•IUU undermines these country effortsIUU undermines these country efforts•CoP 15 – ‘Decision’ to tighten complianceCoP 15 – ‘Decision’ to tighten compliance

ChronologyChronology

•CITES App II 2004CITES App II 2004- first reef food fish to be listed- first reef food fish to be listed

•Biological overfishing/habitat issuesBiological overfishing/habitat issues - overcapacity/destructive fishing- overcapacity/destructive fishing

•Assessments and quotas (NDFs) establishedAssessments and quotas (NDFs) established•Additional legislation/measures introducedAdditional legislation/measures introduced•IUU undermines these country effortsIUU undermines these country efforts•CoP 15 – ‘Decision’ to tighten complianceCoP 15 – ‘Decision’ to tighten compliance

ChronologyChronology

•CITES App II 2004CITES App II 2004- first reef food fish to be listed- first reef food fish to be listed

•Biological overfishing/habitat issuesBiological overfishing/habitat issues - overcapacity/destructive fishing- overcapacity/destructive fishing

•Assessments and quotas (NDFs) establishedAssessments and quotas (NDFs) established•Additional legislation/measures introducedAdditional legislation/measures introduced•IUU undermines these country effortsIUU undermines these country efforts•CoP 15 – ‘Decision’ to tighten complianceCoP 15 – ‘Decision’ to tighten compliance

ChronologyChronology

•CITES App II 2004CITES App II 2004- first reef food fish to be listed- first reef food fish to be listed

•Biological overfishing/habitat issuesBiological overfishing/habitat issues - overcapacity/destructive fishing- overcapacity/destructive fishing

•Assessments and quotas (NDFs) establishedAssessments and quotas (NDFs) established•Additional legislation/measures introducedAdditional legislation/measures introduced•IUU undermines these country effortsIUU undermines these country efforts•CoP 15 – ‘Decision’ to tighten complianceCoP 15 – ‘Decision’ to tighten compliance

ChronologyChronology

•CITES App II 2004CITES App II 2004- first reef food fish to be listed- first reef food fish to be listed

•Biological overfishing/habitat issuesBiological overfishing/habitat issues - overcapacity/destructive fishing- overcapacity/destructive fishing

•Assessments and quotas (NDFs) establishedAssessments and quotas (NDFs) established•Additional legislation/measures introducedAdditional legislation/measures introduced•IUU undermines these country effortsIUU undermines these country efforts•CoP 15 – ‘Decision’ to tighten complianceCoP 15 – ‘Decision’ to tighten compliance

ChronologyChronology

•CITES App II 2004CITES App II 2004- first reef food fish to be listed- first reef food fish to be listed

•Biological overfishing/habitat issuesBiological overfishing/habitat issues - overcapacity/destructive fishing- overcapacity/destructive fishing

•Assessments and quotas (NDFs) establishedAssessments and quotas (NDFs) established•Additional legislation/measures introducedAdditional legislation/measures introduced•IUU undermines these country effortsIUU undermines these country efforts•CoP 15 – ‘Decision’ to tighten compliance CoP 15 – ‘Decision’ to tighten compliance

Sadovy et al., 2003a

Major exporters, Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia

Exporters

•Indonesia- quota c. 5,000 HHW for 2011 and air-only exports, CoP 15 Decision 2010

•Malaysia - zero export of live HHW

•Philippines - illegal export of HHW

(live fish and CITES-listed)

‘

HHW included in ‘mixed fish’ and ‘grouper’ exports

Major exports

include sub-size fish (< 1 kg) – relates to biological sustainability

Indonesia

Problems with illegal Hong Kong vessel trade

Philippines – HHW export illegal/poaching

HHW catches Tawitawi, Philippines, by gear type and size class

Sadovy et al., 2003a

Major importers are Hong Kong and China (with reexports from HK)

Hong Kong Legislation

1. Regulate trade in endangered species through control on their import, export and possession.

2. “One Country, Two Systems”: trade between HKSAR and Mainland China calls for CITES requirements.

Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance, Cap.187

Inspection by AFCD, including shop and consignment inspection, also by Customs and Excise and Hong Kong Police Force, but vessel inspections a major challenge

Live fish not considered ‘food’

Inspection by AFCD, including shop and consignment inspection, also by Customs and Excise and Hong Kong Police Force, but vessel inspections a major challenge

Live fish not considered ‘food’

Illegal trade into Mainland China – not Illegal trade into Mainland China – not recorded on import and no longer at recorded on import and no longer at

re-export from HKre-export from HK

?? At-sea transfers

Shenzhen City (Guangdong Province)

Alex Hofford

Guangzhou

Major issuesMajor issues*relevant to all LRF*relevant to all LRF

•Monitoring at export and import*•Juvenile HHW illegal export•Harmonization of legislation (e.g. air-only)*•Monitoring Hong Kong/Chinese vessels*•Poaching/illegal trade*•Controls of trade into Mainland China*•Handling confiscations of HHW

Major issuesMajor issues

•Monitoring at export and import*•Juvenile HHW illegal export•Harmonization of legislation (e.g. air-only)*•Monitoring Hong Kong/Chinese vessels*•Poaching/illegal trade*•Controls of trade into Mainland China*•Handling confiscations of HHW

Major issuesMajor issues

•Monitoring at export and import*•Juvenile HHW illegal export•Harmonization of legislation (e.g. air-only)*•Monitoring Hong Kong/Chinese vessels*•Poaching/illegal trade*•Controls of trade into Mainland China*•Handling confiscations of HHW

Major issuesMajor issues

•Monitoring at export and import*•Juvenile HHW illegal export•Harmonization of legislation (e.g. air-only)*•Monitoring Hong Kong/Chinese vessels*•Poaching/illegal trade*•Controls of trade into Mainland China*•Handling confiscations of HHW

Major issuesMajor issues

•Monitoring at export and import*•Juvenile HHW illegal export•Harmonization of legislation (e.g. air-only)*•Monitoring Hong Kong/Chinese vessels*•Poaching/illegal trade*•Controls of trade into Mainland China*•Handling confiscations of HHW

Major issuesMajor issues

•Monitoring at export and import*•Juvenile HHW illegal export•Harmonization of legislation (e.g. air-only)*•Monitoring Hong Kong/Chinese vessels*•Poaching/illegal trade*•Controls of trade into Mainland China*•Handling confiscations of HHW

Major issuesMajor issues

•Monitoring at export and import*•Juvenile HHW illegal export•Harmonization of legislation (e.g. air-only)•Monitoring Hong Kong/Chinese vessels*•Poaching/illegal trade*•Controls of trade into Mainland China*•Handling confiscations of HHW

Opportunities for Regional Opportunities for Regional CooperationCooperation

•Enforcement:Air-only trade Size limitsControl time/place vessels entering HK

•Implementation of CITES App II by Mainland China•Regional communications•Handling confiscated animals

Opportunities for Regional Opportunities for Regional CooperationCooperation

•Enforcement:Air-only trade Size limitsControl time/place vessels entering HK

•Implementation of CITES App II by Mainland China•Regional communications•Handling confiscated animals

Opportunities for Regional Opportunities for Regional CooperationCooperation

•Enforcement:Air-only trade Size limitsControl time/place vessels entering HK

•Implementation of CITES App II by Mainland China•Regional communications•Handling confiscated animals

Opportunities for Regional Opportunities for Regional CooperationCooperation

•Enforcement:Air-only trade Size limitsControl time/place vessels enter HK

•Implementation of CITES App II by Mainland China•Regional communications•Handling confiscated animals

Patrick L. Colin

Terimah Kasi