Report from CITES Conferencein Nairobi
The following is the full text of Press Releases which wereissued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Communications, Environmentand Natural Resources following its delegation's attendance tothe CITES conference held recently in Nairobi, Kenya.
"Three representatives (Messrs. Kearney Gomez, Tim Hubbelland Joe Parson) from the Cayman Islands attended the recent Conventionon International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), Conferenceof the Parties (COP) held in Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa, duringthe period April 7 - 20th, 2000.
The COP is held once every 2 -3 years to discuss and vote on variousproposals put forward by the Parties and to deal with other relatedissues such as enforcement of the convention, election of committees,budgets, protocols and other administrative matters.
Some 125 countries were represented and more than 2,500 delegatesattended. The meetings were held at the United Nations EnvironmentalProgramme world headquarters in Gigiri, just outside Nairobi.
The basic regulatory framework of this convention is the categorisationof various flora and fauna species into Appendix 1, 2 or 3. Specieslisted on Appendix 1 are those considered threatened with extinctionand no trade is allowed other than for scientific purposes. Appendix2 species are those that are considered somewhat threatened andrequiring trade restrictions. Appendix 3 are for other speciescontrolled under a country's own domestic legislation.
Of particular importance to Cayman is the issue surrounding marineturtles. Currently all such species are listed on Appendix 1.At the recent COP, Cuba submitted two proposals to the Partiesto downlist their population of Hawksbill turtle (Chelonia imbricata)from Appendix 1 to Appendix 2.
The first proposal also sought approval for the sale of theirstockpile of shell to Japan as well as shipments of shell froman annual harvest of 500 turtle per year. Proposal 2 varied slightlyin that approval was sought for one shipment only of shell (stockpile)together with the downlisting.
The Cuban proposals indicated that approximately 5000 turtleshad previously been harvested on an annual basis through 1997and since then a voluntary reduction in harvest of 500 turtleshad been maintained which they considered sustainable in the future.It was made clear by the Cubans that the turtle are not beingtaken for the primary intention selling the shell, but ratherare taken as a traditional source of food.
The Cayman Islands CITES Management Authority applauded the reducedharvest initiative taken by the Cubans and felt that they shouldbe supported in their sustainable usage philosophy and adaptivemanagement strategy of the Hawksbill turtle. It may be recalledthat for years the Cayman Islands Government sought to get recognitionfrom CITES for the turtle bred in captivity in the Cayman TurtleFarm with little or no success.
For the Cuban proposal to be successful at the COP it would haverequired a 2/3 majority vote of the Parties. In the end Cuba withdrewtheir first proposal and the second proposal lost by 3 votes with68 countries voting for, 38 against and 15 abstentions.
It should be noted that the Cayman Islands do not have a voteand our representative formed part of the UK delegation. Whilethe Cayman Islands Management Authority supported the Cuban proposal,the UK and the European Union abstained on this particular vote.
During the Committee Meeting on this issue, Mr. Elliot Morley,the UK Parliamentary Undersecretary in the Ministry of Agriculture,Fisheries and Good, introduced Mr. Kearney Gomez who made remarkson behalf of the United Kingdom and these are attached for informationpurposes.
Following these remarks other pledges were received for fundsto be earmarked towards a regional workshop to further co-operationbetween the range states of hawksbill turtles, including the CaymanIslands."
April 2000 - CITES/COP - Gigiri,Kenya
"Madam Chairperson, the UK supports sustainable use. Weare keen to support initiatives by which the properly managedsustainable use of Appendix 2 and other vulnerable species canhelp ensure that they continue to be part of the earth's diversity.
In the Caribbean context there is a good example in the work ofthe Cayman Turtle Farm. The Farm is having continued success inproducing second-generation captive-bred turtles.
There is already good technical co-operation between the CaymanIslands and its neighbours and we hope this will develop further.We support in particular further co-operation in scientific andpublic educational work on marine turtles between the Cayman Islandsand Cuba.
This Convention's work on marine turtles is of global importance.We would, therefore, welcome a global seminar before COP 12 onthe management of marine turtles, protection of turtle nestingsites, measure to reduce the threat of by-catch mortality anddeveloping sustainable use of marine turtles when there is agreementabout regional populations for regional populations for whichthis is appropriate.
Within this context, the UK delegation notes the interest thathas been expressed by some delegations in a Caribbean regionalworkshop on all aspects of the hawksbill turtle, building on earlierwork in the region. We recognise the considerable achievementsof Cuba in managing its national programme for this species.
Both the species and Cuba's management experience are of considerablesignificance, especially in the wider Caribbean region. The UKGovernment would, therefore be willing to contribute to the costsof such a regional workshop."