ASEAN Cooperation Project Proposal
Annex 19 CITES-RELATED ISSUES
1. Introduction
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Appendix 4 of Annex 19 Thirty-first meeting of the Animals Committee (AC31): Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)
Online, 31 May–1, 3, 21 and 22 June 2021
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transport permit. This arrangement will make Banggai Cardinalfish as a non-CITES-listed species since it applies CITES trade mechanism. Considering aforementioned progress and the statement, Indonesia requests the Animals Committee to take note that this document (AC31 Doc. 31 Rev.1) is in accordance with the AC30 recommendation. This resulted in many positive outcomes of Banggai Cardinalfish protection, conservation and management. Lastly, AC31 is requested to acknowledge the current status of Banggai Cardinalfish as a non-CITES-listed species, and agree that Banggai Cardinalfish shall not be discussed further in future CITES meetings.
The representative from EU expressed the appreciation on the substantive improvement and important progress in the conservation and management of the species in Indonesia. She therefore suggested that this case can serve as a best practice example under the ongoing review of marine ornamental fishes for establishing management for potential future listings of marine ornamental fish. She therefore invites Indonesia to share the experience as a best practice example in the process under Decision 18.297 on marine ornamental fishes. And with these observations, we can agree to be proposed recommendations and to conclude the discussion on Banggai Cardinalfish in CITES.
The representative from North America supported Indonesia efforts and most of the recommendations. The Committee took note his suggestion to revise texts of the recommendations in paragraph 7 b) and 7 c).
While expressing the appreciation on the efforts made by Indonesia, the representative from United Kingdom supported the suggested amendments in paragraph 7 c) in AC31 Doc. 31 Rev. 1. She also supported the EU’s recommendations that the conservation and management of Banggai Cardinalfish could be used as a case study in the upcoming discussion on marine ornamental fishes.
The representative from the Fondation Franz Weber expressed the gratitude to Indonesia in preparing the document. However, there is extremely concern on the survival of this highly endangered species. While appreciating the designation of MPAs, recent surveys suggested that the general population trend for the fish remains negatives and conservation measures adopted are inadequate. Many cores of no take zones in the MPAs are not within the main area of distribution of the fish. Furthermore, utilization zones are often adjacent to the core zone making capture in the no take zones are very probable. At this stage, there are no effective protections for the microhabitat, including sea urchins and sea anemones, which are critical component of the fish habitat. Moreover, population surveys must be expanded to include more sites. For the seasonal capture of this species, prohibitions are not adequate as the species can breed year round and any quota must also consider the high mortality during capture and transit. Overall, according to Indonesian conservationists, while regulations have been issued, these remain largely unimplemented. Given these issues, the Committee is suggested to retain the species on its agenda. In the absence of the listing of the species of the CITES appendices, CoP-19 should approve new decision texts at the CoP, asking Indonesia to conduct more comprehensive study, disclose export data, mortalities and evidence of illegal trade, detailed production from any capture breeding facilities and clarify regulations governing the capture of the species within existing MPAs.
The representative from the Ornamental Fish International supported Indonesia on the management of wild population of Banggai Cardinalfish and appreciated the success in steering its sustainability and trade. He also supported the removal of the species in future CITES meetings.
In sum, the Committee acknowledged and noted document AC31 Doc. 31 (Rev. 1). Though, the document was recognized by AC31, but it does not mean that AC31 agreed on such document. Since, AC31 did not have chance to consider and provide comments on it.
3. Follow-up actions
Though Banggai Cardinalfish is not listed under the CITES Appendices, Indonesia’s efforts on the conservation and management of this species under Indonesian national laws should be acknowledged. The Committee recognized the current status of Banggai Cardinalfish as a non-CITES-listed species and, referring to significant progress achieved by Indonesia. The Committee then encouraged Indonesia to continue promoting the conservation, management and sustainable trade in Banggai Cardinalfish and asked Indonesia to present this as a case study at the Technical Workshop on Marine Ornamental Fishes envisaged under Decision 18.296.
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Appendix 5 of Annex 19
Thirty-first meeting of the Animals Committee (AC31): Marine Ornamental Fishes Online, 31 May ̶ 1, 4, 21 and 22 June 2021
Summary Report 1. Introduction
The 18th meeting of the Conference of the parties (CoP18, 2019) adopted Decision 18.926 to 18.928 on the Marine Ornamental Fishes which describes three thematic studies; (1) international trade of non-CITES listed live coral reef fish; and (2) including small sharks and rays; (3) proposal to extend the mandated of the Marine Ornamental Fishes beyond 19th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP19). Regarding the studies, the Animal Committee (AC) was invited to confirm the scope of the work in the abovementioned studies and provide comments/suggestions on the activities outlined.
2. Highlights of the discussion
The representative from EU encouraged Indonesia to continue its works to promoted conservation management sustainable trade for Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) and present this case study to the Workshop of marine ornamental fishes to be organized under Decision 18.296
The representative from North America expressed support for the implementation of activities in Decision 18.296 and also support for the Working Group’s recommendation to the extent the relevant part to extent of the mandate of marine ornamental fishes beyond COP19.
The representative from Foundation Franz Weber stated the support for the directions of works as outline in the document (AC31 Doc.36) which funded by Switzerland, the EU and the USA. She expressed concern on the questionnaire for the thematic study 1 from UNEP/WCMC requested to provide the data for the activities in the specific format which is time-consuming, then recommended UNEP/WCMC to revisit this matter to improving the standardized inputs.
The representative from Ornamental Fish International and European Pet Organization expressed the support on the long-term substantiality activities for ornamental fishes trade and suggested that the case of Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) can be applied in the Marine Ornamental fishes sustainable management and looking forward to the results which conducting by UNEP/WCMC would be provided inputs for future directions for the marine ornamental fish trade management.
3. Follow-up actions
The AC31 agree on the Decisions and activities outline to continue works on the Marine Ornamental fish.
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Annex 20