Has the yew tide turned?

TRAFFIC’s report: Trade and conservation of Taxus in China is available only in Chinese.  Beijing, China, 11 December 2007—A recent TRAFFIC report, Trade and conservation of Taxus in China, sheds light on China’s role in the continuing and unsustainable trade in wild Yew trees in the Genus Taxus, whose bark and needles are harvested for the production of anti-cancer medicines.

The industry, which began in 1992, depleted 90% of wild Taxus populations in parts of Yunnan province, the heart of Taxus distribution in China.

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Turning a blind eye to bigeye tuna, warns WWF/TRAFFIC

Bigeye tuna: Don't catch them young, warns TRAFFIC © WWF / Lorraine Hitch.  Cambridge, UK, 21 November 2007—Bigeye tuna are under threat because authorities are failing to recognise the dire extent of overfishing.

In the Eastern Pacific up to 60 per cent of the bigeye tuna catch are small, juvenile fish, and the proportion of these is rising, says a new report from TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, and WWF.

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Wildlife conservation campaign launched in China

Elephant evolution finishes at an ivory carving in the WWF / TRAFFIC wildlife trade consumer campaign Click to enlarge.  Beijing, China, 20 November 2007—An advertising campaign aimed at changing consumer attitudes about unsustainable wildlife trade was today launched in Beijing. The campaign, consisting of creative print, video and online advertisements, is part of an awareness-raising project between WWF, the conservation organization, TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, and Ogilvy, an advertising agency.

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The perfect Introduction?

Full outcomes of the workshop can be found in this downloadable pre-print of an article soon to appear in the TRAFFIC Bulletin.  Wollongong, Australia, 16 November 2007—TRAFFIC and the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) have come up with ways to address key issues concerning the interpretation of regulations relating to marine species under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), in particular “Introduction From the Sea”.

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Tri-nations meeting on CITES

Participants were given training on identification of CITES-regulated wildlife products © TRAFFIC Click to enlarge.  Beijing, China, 15 November 2007—A workshop for CITES Management Authorities, Customs and other relevant agencies from China and Mongolia was held last month in Harbin, China, to share information on law enforcement and legislation, wildlife investigation techniques and to examine the current status of illegal trans-border trade.

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Russian Salmon figures don’t add up—TRAFFIC / WWF

Salmon processing factory, Qingdao, China. China acts as a major low-cost salmon processing centre © Shelley Clarke Click to enlarge.  Cambridge, UK, 13 November 2007—East Asian countries are importing between 50 and 90% more Russian Sockeye salmon than Russia is reporting as caught, according to a new report from TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, and WWF.

Analysis of data from officially published sources reveals that from 2003 to 2005, the estimated excess quantity of Russian Sockeye salmon entering East Asian markets was between 8,000 and 15,000 tonnes each year, worth USD 40 to76 million.

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How to separate the wood from the ramin trees

Skill is needed to identify ramin wood correctly—hence the need for a specialist workshop © TRAFFIC.  Singapore, 5 November 2007—Nearly 30 Customs officials and representatives of CITES Management Authorities and forestry agencies from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and China received training in identification of ramin wood at a workshop held in Singapore in November 2007.

Ramin (Gonystylus), a genus of about 30 species of hardwood trees native to southeast Asia, is listed in Appendix II of CITES (the Convention in International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)—meaning that international trade is allowed under certain conditions.

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New treaty to boost protection of gorillas—TRAFFIC, WWF

A new legally binding agreement will boost protection for wild gorillas © WWF-Canon / Roger HOOPER Click to enlarge.  Gland, Switzerland, 26 October 2007—The new agreement endorsed today in Paris, France, by nine African countries to better protect gorillas, is a major conservation achievement, said WWF, the conservation organization, and TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network.

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Abalone fishery closure not the answer—TRAFFIC

South Africa's abalone fishery has been closed, but it won't tackle the illegal harvesting of wild abalone © Rob Tarr Click to enlarge.  Cape Town, South Africa, 25 October—the South African government’s decision to close the commercial wild abalone fishery from 1st November 2007 is unlikely to lead to a decrease in abalone poaching, according to TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network.  

“Whilst the decision has been taken in good faith, the real issue affecting the industry is the illegal harvest and trade in wild abalone,” said Markus Bürgener, Senior Programme Officer with TRAFFIC.

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