News

Protection for elephants, tigers, whales and rhinos emerge from conservation forum

8 August 2007 / CITES

The conservation of some of the world's most endangered species was bolstered at a major international meeting in June. Parties at the 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) took measures to suspend ivory trade, protect rhinos, maintain the ban on commercial whaling and tackle the Internet trade in wildlife.

As usual African elephants dominated many of the discussions. Just prior to the CITES meeting, a limited sale of ivory from three southern African countries was given formal approval, whilst during the meeting, Zambia and Chad presented a compromise document on behalf of all African elephant range States. This was adopted by consensus and allows an increase in the one-off sale to include ivory stockpiled since 2002 from Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Following the sale, there will be a nine-year suspension of further sales of raw ivory and representatives of the range states agreed to collectively address the long term issues of elephant conservation.

A notable conservation success was the decision, adopted by consensus, to reject the raising of captive tigers for trade in tiger parts, and to phase out its large-scale commercial tiger farms. Meanwhile, in a surprise announcement, the CITES Secretariat said it had asked the Chinese government to investigate a tiger farm implicated in illegally selling tiger meat.

Delegates to CITES also rebuked Japanese attempted steps to reopen commercial whaling. Since 1994, Japan and Norway have regularly submitted proposals to CITES seeking to weaken protection for the great whales. The CITES decision and the strong conservation majority at this year's International Whaling Commission meeting in May demonstrated a global consensus for whale conservation.

New research presented at the conference revealed an alarming increase in the volume of rhino horn entering illegal trade since 2000. The recommendations of the report for better law enforcement and protection measures for African rhinos were adopted by CITES.

Parties also agreed to set up a workshop to address illegal trade in wildlife over the Internet, indicating a higher level of recognition over the need for enforcement of websites globally.

However, conservation organisations were disappointed that delegates did not increase protection for two shark species – Spiny dogfish and porbeagle – by placing them on Appendix II, which only allows trade under strict conditions. However, conservationists welcomed the listing of all except one species of sawfish – ray-like sharks – on Appendix I, preventing all commercial trade.

Sadly pink, red and other corals remain unprotected as the listing on Appendix II of these coral species in the genus Corallium was overturned. These corals, which are used mainly for the manufacture of jewellery, have been over-harvested as a result of lack of international trade controls and a consistent management plan.