REPORT OF THE REGIONAL TECHNICAL CONSULTATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ASEAN-SEAFDEC COMMON POSITIONS O. The Report of the Regional Technical Consultation on the Development of ASEAN-SEAFDEC Common Positions on the Proposed Listing of Commercially Exploited Aquatic Species in CITES Appendices was prepared by the Secretariat of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). The document is distributed to consultation participants, SEAFDEC Member States and SEAFDEC Divisions.
Report of the Regional Technical Consultation on the Development of ASEAN-SEAFDEC Common Positions on the Proposed List of Commercially Exploited Aquatic Species in the CITES Appendices. However, public access to the e-copy of the publication could only take place through the publication URL in SIR; and not through other domains without the written permission of SEAFDEC. Report of the Regional Technical Consultation on Development of ASEAN-SEAFDEC Common Positions on the Proposed List of Commercially Exploited Aquatic Species i.
"Regional Technical Consultation on the Development of ASEAN-SEAFDEC Joint Positions on the Proposed Listing of Commercially Exploited Aquatic Species in CITES Appendices" was organized by the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) from 30 August to 1 September 2022 in Bangkok. , Thailand with support from the Japanese government through the Japan Trust Fund.
OPENING OF THE CONSULTATION
The Regional Technical Consultation (RTC) was attended by fisheries experts and national coordinators from the SEAFDEC member countries namely: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam as well as officers from the SEAFDEC Secretariat and departments, namely: TD, AQD, MFRDMD and IFRDMD. Representatives from the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture of the FAO, academia and relevant agencies also attended the RTC as resource persons.
ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON
BACKGROUND, OBJECTIVES AND AGENDA OF THE CONSULTATION
The representative of Thailand suggested adding the new sub-agenda 7.1 "Concept Note on Proposal to Transfer the Thai Population of Siamese Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) from CITES Appendix I to Appendix II with a Zero Quota for Wild Specimens." The RTC noted the concern of some countries (eg Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia) that crocodiles are not under the jurisdiction of fisheries authorities in their respective countries and were therefore unable to provide information and make a decision. Nevertheless, the note under sub-agenda 7.1 should state that such a CITES-CoP19 proposal is subject only to the fisheries authorities of Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Sub-Agenda 7.2: CoP19 proposed changes to the CITES criteria to include special consideration for all sharks and rays.
Sub-Agenda 7.3: CoP19 proposal for inclusion of socio-economic factors in CITES criteria and listing decisions. After discussion, the RTC agreed to change the agenda and adopted the agenda of the consultation, which is in Annex 4.
OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED LISTING OF COMMERCIALLY-EXPLOITED AQUATIC
It is expected that listing species in Appendix II would result in catches and trade of the species not being reported and recorded, creating difficulties and burdens for authorities in collecting scientific data to support management of the species . No species of the family Potamotrygonidae occurs in the natural habitats of the Southeast Asian region. It is expected that the inclusion of the species in Appendix II would create barriers to trade in aquacultured and farmed stingrays, e.g.
The proposed list of the six species of guitarfish does not meet the CITES criteria. It is expected that the listing of species in Appendix II will result in non-reporting and recording of catches and trade of the species causing difficulties and burden for the authorities to collect scientific data to support the management of the species . The proposed list of the three species in the genus Thelenota does not meet the CITES criteria.
It is expected that the inclusion of the species in Appendix I will ensure that trade in the species' products resulting from captive breeding will no longer be possible.
PRESENTATION OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS ON THE PROVISIONAL LIST
Listing the species in Appendix I would also mean that trade in the species (including the breeding of ornamental fish in captivity) would also be prohibited, resulting in the loss of sustainable production and livelihoods in the ornamental aquaculture sector. Zebra catfish production in the aquaculture sector is positive as it takes pressure off the wild stock. The proposed CITES Appendix I listing of zebra catfish does not meet CITES criteria.
DRAFTING THE ASEAN-SEAFDEC COMMON POSITIONS ON CEAS
OTHER CITES-RELATED ISSUES
Concept Note of Proposal on Transfer of the Thai Population of Siamese crocodile
In his presentation, he stated that the Siamese crocodile is often found in Southeast Asian countries, namely: Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam. In Thailand, the Siamese crocodile inhabits protected areas in national parks and wildlife refuge areas. He provided information on legal instruments to protect the Siamese crocodile for 30 years and emphasized that there is no illegal trade in crocodile species in Thailand.
He further said that all crocodiles and crocodile products in Thailand were produced on registered captive breeding farms for commercial production. While Cambodia and Myanmar supported the proposal to transfer the Siamese crocodile from CITES Appendix I to Appendix II as proposed by Thailand, Vietnam will confirm their position after consultation with the responsible authority. The representative from Myanmar informed the RTC that crocodiles are not the responsibility of the Ministry of Fisheries; he asked for the reference documents supporting this proposal, e.g.
Thailand asked countries to forward the Concept to the relevant agencies of their respective countries for support at CITES-CoP19.
CoP19 proposed changes to CITES criteria to include a special consideration for all shark and
CoP19 proposed suggestion on including socio-economic factors in the CITES criteria and
CONCLUSION AND WAYS FORWARD
Annex on CITES-CoP19" would be circulated to the SEAFDEC National Coordinators and the participants in the RTC for confirmation, while the SEAFDEC Secretariat would also send the document to the National Coordinator for Singapore to get their input, views and positions from proposals. The RTC took note of the process and the timetable for the finalization of the "ASEAN-SEAFDEC Member States' Positions on the Proposed List of Commercially Exploited Aquatic Species in the CITES Appendices at CITES-CoP19", which would be submitted to the SEAFDEC Council for approval and would subsequently be submitted to the Fisheries Advisory Group under the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Strategic Partnership (FCG/ASSP) through the FCG/ASSP Focal Points by Referendum for endorsement by ASEAN under the ASEAN Mechanism SEAFDEC Positions to the RTC participants and NCs for confirmation (and input from Singapore) (via email).
9 September 2022 • Due date for confirmation from participants in RTC and NCs and input from Singapore sent back to SEAFDEC. SEAFDEC will send the final version of the ASEAN-SEAFDEC positions to the participants of the RTC and NCs (via email). The RTC noted that FAO and SEAFDEC will organize the side events during CITES-CoP19 to share technical information to a wider audience, which would be useful to support countries' intervention during the meeting to reflect the importance of fisheries for livelihoods and food security.
The RTC noted that communication products such as short video clips or brochures could be effective and useful in reiterating the voices of the fisheries sector in the international forums.
CLOSING OF THE CONSULTATION
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Regional Technical Consultation on the Development of ASEAN-SEAFDEC Joint Positions on the Proposed Listing of Commercially Exploited Aquatic Species in CITES Appendices. Since the 32nd meeting of the SEAFDEC Program Committee in 2000, SEAFDEC has been requested to provide a set of information and updates to AMS on the proposed listing of commercially exploited aquatic species (CEA species) in CITES Appendices. To obtain updated information on the provisional list of species in the CITES Appendices for consideration at CoP19.
For discussion among SEAFDEC Member States on the potential impacts of the proposed inclusion of commercially exploited aquatic species in the CITES Appendices. It is expected that the RTC will be organized with the physical presence of the participants at the venue. INFORMATION ON THE PROPOSAL FOR THE INCLUSION OF AQUATIC ANIMALS IN THE CITES APPENDICES AT CITES-COP19.
Adopted at the Regional Technical Consultation on the Development of the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Common Position on the Proposed List of Commercially Exploited Aquatic Species in the CITES Appendices. The Regional Technical Consultation (RTC) was attended by fisheries experts and national coordinators from ASEAN-SEAFDEC member countries, namely: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam; technical officers from the SEAFDEC Secretariat and Departments namely: TD, AQD, MFRDMD and IFRDMD; as well as resource persons from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), academies and relevant agencies in the ASEAN-SEAFDEC member countries. Inclusion of all other species in the family Carcharhinidae (requiem sharks): genus Carcharhinus, genus Isogomphodon, genus Loxodon, genus Nasolamia, genus Lamiopsis, genus Negaprion, genus Prionace, genus Rhizoprionodon, genus Scoliodon, genus Triaenodon and any other family species. Carcharhinidae in Appendix II in accordance with Article II, paragraph 2, letter b) of the convention and fulfills criterion A in Annex 2b to Resolution Conf.
This document brings together the technical information as well as the views and positions of the ASEAN-SEAFDEC member countries on the proposed inclusion of CEAS in the CITES Appendices at CITES-CoP19. Technical Information and Views and Positions of ASEAN-SEAFDEC Member States on the Proposed Listing of CEAS in the CITES Appendices at CITES-CoP19. The proposed list of species in Appendix II should not be supported due to many concerns, in particular the inappropriate use of the "look alike" criteria.
The proposed list of species in Appendix II should not cover the entire family Carcharhinidae. Shark catches must be legally recorded, and data collection and management of the species must be at a regional level. The proposed Appendix II listing of the species could cause trade problems, particularly with captive-bred hybrid species.
The management of native species should be under the management of the country where the species belongs. The zero trade quota from the wild will not have adverse impacts on the wild population of the species. The position of Vietnam on Siamese crocodiles is under the management of the Directorate of Forestry.
