Linkages between the implementation of CITES Appendix II listings and

sustainable fisheries management

Johanne FischerFisheries and Aquaculture Department

• 37% of fishery catches are exported = US$ 129 billion (2012)

•Developing countries account for 60% of fish exports (quantity)

•China biggest exporter > US$ 19.6 billion (2013)

What is at stake?

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Fish Exports

Developing countries or areas

Developed countries or areas

The CITES Appendices currently include close to 100 commercially-

exploited aquatic species

All sawfishesManta rays

8 shark species:Whale, Basking, Great white, Porbeagle, Oceanic whitetip, 3 Hammerhead

Sturgeons

European eelHumphead wrasseAll seahorses

Queen conch

Main Areas of Collaboration with CITES

• FAO Expert Advisory Panel for assessment of listing proposals to CITES concerning commercially exploited aquatic species• Assistance in relation to listed species (sharks,

Caribbean queen conch, humphead wrasse, sea cucumbers, sea horses, sturgeon)• Co-organization of workshops, e.g.• Review of the Application and Effectiveness of

International Regulatory Measures for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Elasmobranchs• Capacity Assessments for the Implementation of

New CITES listing of Sharks and Manta Rays

FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Report No. 984. 2012.

FAO/CITES Workshop to Review the Application and Effectiveness of International Regulatory Measures for the Conservation and sustainable Use of Elasmobranchs.

Genazzano, Italy, 19-23 July 2010

• If properly implemented, the long-term benefits of shark catch and trade regulations extend to all sectors (ecosystems, livelihoods, markets and trade)• The effectiveness of most catch and trade measures

depends on proper MCS and enforcement• Many catch and trade measures have a short-term

negative impact on fishing costs, livelihoods and markets• Most catch and trade regulations require financial

investments by governments (and industry) • Most catch and trade measures greatly benefit from

public education and awareness building

FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Report No. 984. 2012.

Some conclusions by the Genazzano workshop

Every regulatory measure will be met with a mixed response by civil society when different groups have different interests. The media play an important role in influencing public opinion and awareness building.

Key Messages

FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Report No. 984. 2012.

For a species (or stock) with a broad geographic distribution, the international cooperation of States is very important to ensure that necessary management measures are applied over a sufficiently large area of the species’ or stock’s distribution

FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Report No. 984. 2012.

Key Messages

There is a general lack of species-specific data for catch, fishing effort and trade of sharks. ...Species identification tools(field guides and training) should be developed in colla-boration of governmental, private sector and non-governmental organizations.

FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Report No. 984. 2012.

Key Messages

The listing of sharks on one of the CITES Appendices alone cannot effectively ensure their conservation without a proper fishery management scheme.

FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Report No. 984. 2012.

Key Messages

FAO-CITES collaboration for the implementation of recent CITES

shark listings

Manta spp. (Manta rays)

Sphyrna lewini, S.mokarran, S. zygaena (Hammerhead sharks) Lamna nasus (Porbeagle shark)

Carcharhinus longimanus (Oceanic whitetip shark)

FAO-CITES collaboration for the implementation of recent CITES

shark listings

Orange: high priority countriesYellow: priority countries

FAO/CITES Workshop on Capacity Assessments for the

Implementation of New CITES Listing of Sharks and Manta Rays

Casablanca, Morocco, 11-13 February 2014

Casablanca Declaration

Some important points:

• Recognized the need for strengthening the regional collaboration among African countries • Recommended using the roadmap agreed by the

meeting• Encouraged all countries to join and actively

participate in relevant Regional Fishery Bodies

Casablanca Declaration - Roadmap

• Public Information and Outreach (high priority)• Improve institutional arrangements for CITES

Implementation (high priority)• Enforce Compliance Measures• Establish or strengthen management regimes for

shark fisheries• Improve engagement of fisheries sector in CITES

processes• Supporting measures for fishers’ livelihoods

FAO/CITES Workshop on Capacity Assessments for the

Implementation of New CITES Listing of Sharks and Manta Rays

Xiamen, China, 13 to 15 May 2014

XIAMEN Declaration

Some important points:

• Recommend priority actions to effectively implement the new listings of sharks and manta rays• Encouraged all countries to closely collaborate

with Regional Fishery Bodies and fully use existing regional wildlife enforcement networks

Xiamen Declaration – Action Plan

• Improvement of data collection• Strengthening national legislation, enforcement

(monitoring, control and surveillance) and international cooperation• Strengthening conservation and management

measures• Enhancing training and capacity building/human

resource development• Securing funding

Implementation of CITES Listings

It is essential for national and regional fisheries agencies and CITES authorities to work closely together.

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Implementation of CITES Listings

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Thank you for your attention!