CITES 2010 is nothing more than a convention for protecting trade apposed to protecting wild fauna and flora from extinction. This past week the nails were knocked into the coffin of the highly endangered polar bear and Atlantic blue fin tuna when the proposals submitted by USA and Monaco respectively, were defeated. There are only…
I’m sitting in the Committee 1, listening to the debate around the Atlantic blue fin tuna proposal which has been proposed by Monaco for listing on Appendix 1, which would mean no international trade in the species. So far more countries have indicated that they will not be supporting the proposal than those that will….
I’m sorry but today I have been unable to blog what with meetings, interviews and functions all day, but will catch up tomorrow.
Today there was a chance for shark conservation to be boosted but China, Japan and Russia helped to defeat a proposal at CITES. A non binding measure called for increased transparency in the shark trade, including more research into the threat posed to sharks by illegal fishing. Supporters included South Africa, the EU, and the…
Doha, Qatar 15 March 2010 – I’m writing for local papers back home, following other issues relevant to South Africa. I will post my content the day after it is published. I attended a press conference yesterday on the following: Chief Enforcement Officer of CITES, John Sellar said: “Millions of dollars have been invested in…
Today I spoke to a delegate from Namibia, who told me that Namibia, as far as he knows has no shark finning problem at all, and that he loves shark fin soup, which he orders every time he goes to Mauritius, because it tastes so good. I went on to express both my bewilderment that…
Of the 42 proposals for amendment of Appendices I and II of CITES, those focusing on eight shark species, the iconic blue fin tuna, and downgrading the protection of the African elephant, a proposal submitted by the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia, are set to be the most contentious during the two weeks of…
The opening of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES begins with an overwhelmingly load performance through the PA system of local Qatar men, chanting and beating drums, followed by two long speeches from Mr Achim Steiner, Executive Director, UNEP, and the Secretary General of CITES, Mr Willem Wijnstekers. A somber air…
My journey to Doha, Qatar, with Leonard Compagno, world famous shark researcher, begins a way I would rather forget. Up at 4 am after 3 hours sleep, still packing cameras by 5am, and leaving for the 35 minute drive to catch our 6.20am flight to Johannesburg at 5.20am! Leonard transforms into racing driver extraordinaire. I…
Gandhi once said that a nation’s greatness is measured by the way it treats its animals. 175 Nations will attend the 15th conference of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) from the 13th to 25th March in Doha, Qatar, and have a chance to prove their…