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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
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Results for wildlife crimes
84 results foundAuthor: Kecse-Nagy, Katalin Title: Wildlife Trade in Central and Eastern Europe: A Review of CITES Implementation in 15 Countries Summary: This report presents an overview of wildlife trade-related issues in Central and Eastern Europe, including an analysis of the region's role in global trade in wild animals and plants, examining trade trends and volumes, with a particular focus on species groups that are native to the region and listed in the Appendices of CITES. Details: Budapest: TRAFFIC Europe, 2006. 126p. Source: Year: 2006 Country: Europe URL: Shelf Number: 117301 Keywords: Wild Animal TradeWildlife Crimes |
Author: Wyler, Liana Title: International Illegal Trade in Wildlife: Threats and U.S. Policy Summary: This report focuses on the international trade in terrestrial fauna, largely excluding trade in illegal plants, including timber, and fish and how it relates to U.S. Policy Details: Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 2008, 50p. Source: Internet Source Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 115335 Keywords: CorruptionEnvironmental CrimeLaw EnforcementWildlife Crimes |
Author: Akech, Migai Title: Enforcement of Environmental Crime Laws: A Framework Training Manual for Law Enforcement Agencies Summary: This manual is intended for national trainers on environmental crime in Eastern and Southern Africa. It seeks to enable such trainers to equip police officers and other actors involved in fighting environmental crimes with knowledge and understanding of the nature of environmental crimes, environmental inspection and investigation, and prosecution of environmental crimes. Details: Pretoria, South Africa: Institute for Security Studies, 2010. 80p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: Africa URL: Shelf Number: 118608 Keywords: Offenses Against the EnvironmentWildlife Crimes |
Author: Knapp, Amelie Title: A Briefing Paper on Marking Techniques Used in the Control of Wildlife in the European Union Summary: The European Union (EU) is one of the largest and most diverse markets for wildlife and wildlife products in the world. Due to the absence of systematic border controls between EU Member States, the monitoring and control of wildlife trade in the EU is important, especially with regard to detecting illegal activities. Tools and techniques are needed to allow for the adequate identification of species in trade, their source (e.g. wild, captive bred or artificially propagated) and to identify individual specimens. This briefing paper presents a compilation and analysis of marking techniques currently in use in the 25 EU Member States, as well as a short description of identificaion and labelling techniques applicable to wildlife specimens. The aim of this paper is to facilitate the exchange of information and expertise between EU Member States, strengthen the cooperation of the different agencies involved in monitoring and control of trade in wildlife in the EU and thereby increase their efficiency, particularly in Member States where little information on these topics is currently available. Details: Cambridge, UK: TRAFFIC, 2007. 35p. Source: Internet Resource; A TRAFFIC European Report for the European Commission, Brussels, Belgium Year: 2007 Country: Europe URL: Shelf Number: 118607 Keywords: Wild Animal TradeWildlife CrimesWildlife Smuggling |
Author: Mwebaza, Rose Title: Situation Report: Environmental Crimes in Ethiopia Summary: What entails an environmental crime, or who commits an offense against the environment? This study sets out to examine this complex question by determining what constitutes an environmental crime in Ethiopian jurisprudence. This is done by examining the legal and institutional regime for combating environmental crimes. The study also examines the main perpetrators of environmental crime in Ethiopia and the main enforcement mechanisms that are in place to deal with the perpetrators. Finally, the study examines the capacity needs that have to be addressed to enhance the enforcement of environmental crimes in Ethiopia. Details: Pretoria, South Africa: Institute for Security Studies, 2009. 31p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2009 Country: Ethiopia URL: Shelf Number: 118367 Keywords: Offenses Against the EnvironmentWildlife Crimes |
Author: Palma, Mary Ann Title: Case Study on the Impacts of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing in the Sulawesi Sea Summary: "This report presents an analysis of the nature and extent of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Sulawesi Sea, including their economic, social and environmental impacts and the factors contributing to IUU fishing in the area." Details: Singapore: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Secretariat, 2008. 61p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2008 Country: Asia URL: Shelf Number: 119372 Keywords: Illegal FishingOffenses Against the EnvironmentWildlife Crimes |
Author: Standing, Andre Title: Corruption and Industrial Fishing in Africa Summary: "Africa’s marine resources are increasingly in demand and are gaining in geo political importance. Competition between key fishing nations for access and control over marine resources is joined by competition between local communities and industrialised foreign fishing fleets. In this context, incentives for a range of illegal activities abound, to which African nations often have weak capacity to respond. The author describes key areas of concern relating to corruption and the exploitation of marine resources in African countries by foreign fishing fleets. Policy reforms that may reduce incentives and opportunities for corruption in fisheries management are also discussed." Details: Bergen, Norway: CHR. Michelsen Institute, 2008. 29p. Source: Internet Resource; U4 Issue 2008:7 Year: 2008 Country: Africa URL: Shelf Number: 119373 Keywords: Illegal FishingOffenses Against the EnvironmentWildlife Crimes |
Author: Mwanika, Philip Arthur Njuguna Title: Eco-Cop: Environmental Policing in Eastern Africa Summary: The power to police, as part of statecraft , is a basic attribute of contemporary government that manifests in a vast array of sites of governance, including not only the state itself, but also areas such as the community, the household and industry, and contemporary realms such as the war against terrorism. This paper looks at a particular dominant realm of governance that is a mainstay of modern policing, i.e. the environmental protection realm, and particularly the policing component known as environmental crime management. Towards that end, this paper attempts to make sense of the policing component understood as ‘environmental policing’ and how it is operationalised in Africa. Case studies from the Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa have been adopted. The question of whether the police institution in the continent should be involved in environmental protection or have an environmental enforcement component has been critically investigated against a backdrop of the political, societal, administrative and bureaucratic realities in the mentioned geo-political concerns. Details: Pretoria: Institute for Security Studies, 2010. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: ISS Paper 215: Accessed September 17, 2010 at: http://www.iss.co.za/uploads/215.pdf Year: 2010 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.iss.co.za/uploads/215.pdf Shelf Number: 119827 Keywords: Environmental ProtectionIllegal FishingIllegal LoggingIllegal TradeOffenses Against the EnvironmentPolicingWildlife Crimes |
Author: Ahmed, Abrar Title: Imperilled Custodians of the Night: A Study on Illegal Trade, Trapping and Use of Owls in India Summary: Use of owls in black magic and sorcery driven by superstition, totems and taboos is one of the prime drivers of the covert owl trade. This report presents the findings from an investigation into the illegal trade, trapping and utilization of owls in India. The investigation also finds that besides black magic, owls are trapped and traded for use in street performances; killed for taxidermy and for their meat; their parts are used in folk medicines; even their claws and feathers are sometimes used in headgear. Live owls are also used as decoys to catch other bird species. Details: New Delhi, India: TRAFFIC India/WWF-India, 2010. 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 8, 2010 at: http://assets.wwf.org.nz/downloads/traffic_species_birds12.pdf Year: 2010 Country: India URL: http://assets.wwf.org.nz/downloads/traffic_species_birds12.pdf Shelf Number: 120200 Keywords: Offenses Against the EnvironmentWildlife CrimesWildlife Trade (India) |
Author: Jaramillo, Ana Lucia Title: Stemming Illegal Logging and Timber Trade: An Overview of the European Union FLEGT Action Plan Summary: Over the last four decades, there has been a global recognition of the damage to world forests caused by illegal logging and the related trade in illegally produced timber products. The European Community (hereinafter “EC”), as a major timber-consuming market, understands that the EC’s demand for timber, and the subsequent money flow there from, perpetuates the negative effects of illegal logging. The EC recognises that illegal logging poses a threat to wild fauna and flora, to the indigenous people living in the forests of timber-producing countries, the depressing effect on the economies of timber-producing countries, and the fact that profits of illegal logging often flow back to corrupt regimes and conflict zones. The purpose of this report is to give an overview of the EC’s effort to tackle illegal logging and trade in illegally produced timber. Details: Brussels: Institute for Environmental Security, 2008. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 8, 2010 at: http://www.envirosecurity.org/pathfinder/FLEGT_web.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Europe URL: http://www.envirosecurity.org/pathfinder/FLEGT_web.pdf Shelf Number: 120203 Keywords: Illegal LoggingOffenses Against the EnvironmentWildlife Crimes |
Author: Giessen, Eric van de Title: Peace Park Amid Violence? A Report on Environmental Security in the Virunga-Bwindi Region Summary: This study is carried out for the Institute for Environmental Security (IES) within the framework of the Horizon 21 Programme. This programme has been designed to draw political attention to environmental security, in order to prevent conflict, instability and unrest. The Horizon 21 Programme integrates the disciplines of science, diplomacy, international law, finance and education. It aims to provide policy-makers with a methodology and the policy tools to tackle environmental security risks in time in order to safeguard essential conditions for sustainable development. In this context, IES currently works on Prototype EnviroSecurity Assessments. It is the objective of these assessments to come up with recommendations to international decision makers on the protection of specific eco-regions. These recommendations should be based on a profound analysis of perceived trends, opportunities and threats. The final report will integrate thematic maps, based on remote sensing data (observations and forecasts), alongside policy, legal, financial and educational aspects. The mountain gorilla habitat is one of the three Prototype EnviroSecurity Assessment case studies. This specific report contributes to the EnviroSecurity Asssessment by providing an outline of the socio-economic and political situation in the region. It will look into environmental insecurity, being an important factor in explaining the violent conflicts in this region, both in the past and nowadays. The special aim of this report is to make an analysis of threats and opportunities for the protection of the Virunga-Bwindi region. Details: The Hague: Institute for Environmental Security, 2005. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 8, 2010 at: http://www.envirosecurity.org/espa/PDF/IES_ESA_CS_Africa_Supplement.pdf Year: 2005 Country: Africa URL: http://www.envirosecurity.org/espa/PDF/IES_ESA_CS_Africa_Supplement.pdf Shelf Number: 120204 Keywords: Offenses Against the EnvironmentViolence (Africa)Wildlife Crimes |
Author: Kofoed, Julie Garfieldt Title: Criminal Justice in the Netherlands Over Trade in Natural Resources Originating From Conflict Zones Summary: Natural resources such as diamonds, timber, coltan, and other minerals are often extracted from developing countries by rebel groups; and the resources are subsequently exported to developed countries as private goods. There is evidence that the presence of valuable natural resources increases the likelihood of armed conflict; and it is widely acknowledged that the sale of these natural resources is often used to fund an prolong armed conflicts. Once sold, these natural resources regularly enter developed countries, including the Netherlands, as a final destination or a transit point, whereupon they are sold and used as if they were legitimately obtained goods. Given that the countries of origin are often unable to exercise effective control over the illicit extraction and trade in resources on their territory, the IES has advocated that developed importing or transit countries take steps to block access to their national markets by criminalizing trade in resources that originate from conflict zones and that are illicitly extracted and sold. It is hoped that the prevention of access to the external market will diminish the money flow which fuels armed conflicts. It is expected that without the ability to export the illicitly obtained resources to external markets, the most important money flows that underlie or fund the continuation of armed conflict will soon dry up. Details: The Hague: Institute for Environmental Security, Amsterdam International Law Clinic and Bronkhorst International Law Services, 2008. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 8, 2010 at: http://www.envirosecurity.org/pathfinder/Criminal_Jurisdiction.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Netherlands URL: http://www.envirosecurity.org/pathfinder/Criminal_Jurisdiction.pdf Shelf Number: 120262 Keywords: Illegal TradeNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the EnvironmentOrganized CrimeWildlife Crimes |
Author: Verheij, Pauline Title: Reduced to Skin and Bones: An Analysis of Tiger Seizures from 11 Tiger Range Countries (2000-2010) Summary: Parts of at least 1,069 Tigers have been seized in Tiger range countries over the past decade, according to new analysis of Tiger seizures carried out by TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network. Reduced to Skin and Bones shows that from January 2000 to April 2010, parts of between 1,069 and 1,220 Tigers were seized in 11 of the 13 tiger range countries—or an average of 104 to 119 animals per year. Of the 11, India, China and Nepal ranked highest in the number of tiger part seizures, the report states, with India by far the highest number of Tiger part seizures at 276, representing between 469 and 533 Tigers. China, with 40, had the second highest number of seizures, or 116-124 Tigers, and Nepal reported 39 seizures, or 113-130 Tigers. Details: Cambridge, UK: TRAFFIC International, 2010. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 11, 2010 at: http://www.traffic.org/species-reports/traffic_species_mammals60.pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.traffic.org/species-reports/traffic_species_mammals60.pdf Shelf Number: 120278 Keywords: Offenses Against the EnvironmentPoachingWild Animal TradeWildlife CrimesWildlife Trade |
Author: Oswell, Adam H. Title: The Big Cat Trade in Myanmar and Thailand Summary: Between January 2001 and June 2010 a total of 493 big cat parts were observed at markets and during covert investigations in Myanmar and Thailand. Live big cats were also observed and recorded, including all four species of big cats that occur in Myanmar and Thailand (Tiger, Panthera tigris; Leopard, Panthera pardus; Clouded Leopard, Neofelis nebulosa, Snow Leopard, Uncia uncia) and one non-indigenous species (Asiatic Lion, Panthera leo persica). Both Myanmar and Thailand are signatories to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), completely prohibiting all commercial trans-border trade of big cats (including their parts and derivatives) listed in CITES Appendix I, and requiring permits for export of species listed in Appendix II. Myanmar has been a signatory to CITES since 1997 and Thailand since 1983. All Asian big cats including Tiger, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Snow Leopard and Asiatic Lion are classified as Appendix I under CITES. The indigenous big cats are also protected by national law in both countries. All indigenous cat species in Thailand fall under the Wildlife Reservation and Protection Act B.E. 2535 (AD1992). In Myanmar, they are under the Protection of Wildlife and Wild Plants and Conservation of Natural Areas Law (State Law and Order Restoration Council Law No. 583/94.1994). All observations and investigations took place in border areas and in markets on the Thai/Myanmar border, Myanmar/China border and the Thai/Lao PDR border where the trade in wildlife and big cats is very active and is conducted in most cases with impunity despite national and international laws to prohibit the trade in these species. The fact that the majority of this trade occurs in non-government controlled areas in northern Myanmar bordering China underscores the difficulty in implementing effective enforcement in these areas. If significant progress is to be made in reducing or ending the trade in big cats and other protected wildlife, the groups that control these areas and allow traders to operate must be engaged and influenced either to establish and enforce their own conservation legislation or to implement existing national laws. Non-government controlled areas in northern Myanmar play a major role in facilitating regional trade in big cats and many other endangered species. Some groups resident in strategically important areas bordering China, India and Thailand maintain significant militia forces, which enables these self-governed entities to exist and operate illegal trade in arms, narcotics, humans and wildlife. The extreme decentralization of northern Myanmar makes the situation more difficult to monitor and control. Parts and derivatives of big cats, and live animals are sourced in Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR, Malaysia and India and trafficked across national borders into these non-government controlled areas where they are stored, wholesaled and retailed to local and international buyers. The products are easily transported by boat or road into China and Thailand where some continue via national postal systems, road and/or air transport to domestic and international buyers and markets. The trade documented in this report poses a real and immediate threat to the survival of big cat species in Asia. Details: Selangor, Malaysia: TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, 2010. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 29, 2010 at: http://assets.panda.org/downloads/traffic_species_mammals61_1.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Asia URL: http://assets.panda.org/downloads/traffic_species_mammals61_1.pdf Shelf Number: 120295 Keywords: Illegal TradeWild Animal TradeWildlife CrimesWildlife Smuggling |
Author: TRAFFIC Title: Traffic Bulletin Seizures and Prosecutions: March 1997 - March 2010 Summary: The cases reported here, extracted from the TRAFFIC Bulletin, represent a selection of seizures and prosecutions that have taken place around the world over the past 12 years. The sources of this information are cited at the end of each country section. The CITES Appendix-listing for each species is placed in parentheses, where appropriate. Details: Cambridge, UK: TRAFFIC, 2010. 192p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 13, 2010 at: www.traffic.org/traffic-bulletin/traffic_bulletin_seizures_1997-2010.pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 120491 Keywords: Offenses Against the EnvironmentSmugglingWildlife Crimes |
Author: Banks, Debbie Title: Skinning the Cat: Crime and Politics of the Big Cat Skin Trade Summary: The illegal trade in poached skins between India, Nepal and China is the most significant immediate threat to the continued existence of the tiger in the wild. While the importance of the problem has been recognised and plenty of information is already available, the lucrative illegal trade continues. Details: London: Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA UK); New Delhi: WPSI India, 2006. 25p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 3, 2011 at: http://www.eia-international.org/cgi/reports/reports.cgi?t=template&a=129 Year: 2006 Country: India URL: http://www.eia-international.org/cgi/reports/reports.cgi?t=template&a=129 Shelf Number: 120692 Keywords: Illegal TradeOrganized CrimePoachingWild Animal TradeWildlife Crimes |
Author: Born Free Foundation Title: Inconvenient But True: The Unrelenting Global Trade in Elephant Ivory. Report Prepared for the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES 3rd-15th June 2007,The Hague Summary: The illegal trade in elephant ivory (and in some cases the legal trade) continues to seriously threaten many wild elephant populations. The Species Survival Network (SSN) Elephant Working Group database on elephant ivory seizures contains records indicating that between 1998 and 2007 at least 176,695kg (176 tonnes) of ivory was seized. This represents the death of more than 26,674 elephants. Since CoP13 alone, 47,225.92kg of ivory have been seized, an increase of 48% as compared to the interval between the 12th and 13th meetings of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP12 and CoP13). Despite these alarming statistics, there are proposals at CoP14 calling for the resumption of a legal commercial trade in ivory which, in effect, represents a lifting of the ivory trade ban. Although CoP14 Proposals 4 and 5, submitted by Botswana and Botswana/Namibia respectively, imply that illegal ivory trade is no longer a significant enough threat to African elephant populations to warrant retention of the ban, in reality the evidence clearly shows otherwise. This report presents a compilation of this evidence — ivory prices and seizures of illegal ivory are on the increase, there are burgeoning domestic ivory markets and elephant populations are under threat. Details: London: Born Free Foundation; Washington, DC: Species Survival Network, 2007. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 18, 2011 at: http://www.ssn.org/Meetings/cop/cop14/Other/SSN_CoP14_ivory_report.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Africa URL: http://www.ssn.org/Meetings/cop/cop14/Other/SSN_CoP14_ivory_report.pdf Shelf Number: 121745 Keywords: Illegal Trade (Africa)IvoryWildlife Crimes |
Author: Sakamoto, Masayuki Title: Black and Grey: Illegal Ivory in Japanese Markets Summary: This report - Black and Grey - Illegal Ivory in Japanese Markets - takes a critical look at illegal ivory markets in Japan and argues that Japan’s domestic controls on the ivory trade are far from being adequate to ensure such trade does not threaten the elephant species. The Japanese ivory market has two faces. The first face is the “Black” market. Weak Japanese domestic trade control allows ivory acquired from illegal sources to be broadly distributed. The second face is the “Grey” market. “Legal” ivory in trade that is inevitably used as a cover for illegal sources of ivory to make their way to the market. The principal question that the report is trying to answer is: “Do domestic controls on ivory in Japan provide precautionary measures sufficient to ensure trades now proposed by the southern African countries do not accelerate poaching and increase illegal ivory in trade?” Details: Tokyo: Japan Wildlife Conservation Society, 2002. 65p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 6, 2011 at: http://www.jwcs.org/data/030107blaclandgrey.pdf Year: 2002 Country: Japan URL: http://www.jwcs.org/data/030107blaclandgrey.pdf Shelf Number: 121975 Keywords: Illegal Ivory (Japan)PoachingWild Animal TradeWildlife CrimesWildlife Smuggling |
Author: Ng, Julia Title: Tiger Trade Revisited in Sumatra, Indonesia Summary: The Sumatran Tiger is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN 2006 Red List of Threatened Animals, as Appendix I under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and as a Protected species under the Act of the Republic of Indonesia No.5 of 1990 Concerning Conservation of Living Resources and their Ecosystems. However, despite being given full protection in Indonesia and internationally, Tiger parts are still found openly in trade in Sumatra. TRAFFIC revisited the markets of Sumatra in 2006 to conduct Tiger trade surveys, four years after the last TRAFFIC survey from 1999–2002 (Shepherd and Magnus, 2004). All intelligence information obtained on the names and addresses of retail outlets selling Tiger parts from the 1999–2002 survey were given to the Indonesian authorities, at province and federal level, prior to the report being published. Unfortunately, little or no action was taken by the Indonesian authorities against these retail outlets selling Tiger parts or the retail outlets’ owners. Results from the 1999–2002 survey were published in both English and Indonesian, the latter were then widely distributed to all Indonesian enforcement agencies. To raise awareness on Tiger trade among enforcement agencies in Sumatra, three training workshops were conducted there in 2006, two of which were Tiger focused, the third on general wildlife crime enforcement and included a component on Tiger trade. The 2006 surveys were conducted over a seven month period in 28 cities/towns in seven Sumatran provinces and nine seaports. A total of 326 retail outlets were surveyed which were goldsmiths, souvenir and Traditional Chinese Medicine shops, and antiques and precious stones vendors. TRAFFIC returned to the markets to investigate and document again the open availability of Tiger parts for sale, and to investigate further possible trade links between Indonesia and Malaysia. The information gathered in Sumatra is presented here and it is hoped it will clearly highlight the priority actions that should be taken and how resources should best be distributed in combating the trade of Tiger parts. In addition, TRAFFIC has given the findings of this report, including the names and addresses of the retail outlets found selling Tiger parts to the enforcement authorities in April 2007, and hopes that action will be taken against these retail outlets. Of the 28 cities and towns surveyed in Sumatra, eight (29%) were found to have Tiger parts for sale. At least ten percent of the total retail outlets surveyed sold Tiger parts. A conservative estimate of the number of Tigers killed, based on the number of Tiger canines found during the market surveys is 23 Tigers. From the results, it is evident that the trade in Tiger parts continues openly, and the number of Tiger canines, claws and skin pieces found openly for sale in North Sumatra province is higher compared to the 1999–2002 survey. Medan and Pancur Batu are the main hubs for the trade of Tiger parts in this province but there were no Tiger cases brought to the Indonesian criminal court in these two cities between 2004 and 2006. This indicates that enforcement efforts are lacking in these two important hubs for Tiger parts. However, for the provinces of Jambi, South Sumatra and West Sumatra, there is an indication of a decrease in the trade of Tiger parts compared to the 1999–2002 survey. Binjai, Jambi, Palembang, Padang and Bukit Tinggi recorded a drop in the open availability of Tiger parts for sale. The reason for this is unclear, but it could be that more traders are aware that the Tiger is a protected species and therefore they are more wary of whom they talk to, or there are fewer Tigers in the wild compared to five years ago, or more optimistically, because fewer poachers and traders are hunting and selling protected species. Surveys at the ports on the east coast of Sumatra did not provide any conclusive evidence that Tigers or their parts are being exported to Malaysia or Singapore. Only birds were found to be smuggled out of the Belawan and Dumai seaports. It is obvious that no amount of Tiger action plan workshops and Tiger trade surveys conducted will save the Sumatran Tiger. What is needed now is for strict enforcement to take place in Sumatra to stop the poaching of Tigers and the trade. This report therefore recommends that resources should be concentrated on effective enforcement to take place to protect Tiger habitats and combat the trade by arresting the main dealers/suppliers of Tigers and closing down retail outlets selling Tiger parts. The specific recommendations for this report are: 1) The Indonesian authorities must take prompt action against the open trade of Tiger parts in Sumatra by closing down retail outlets selling Tiger parts; 2) Other actions include monitoring of Tiger trade hotspots (such as Medan and Pancur Batu), to gather intelligence information of retail outlets selling illegal wildlife parts so they can be promptly raided; 3) Successful prosecutions of owners of retail outlets selling Tiger parts are needed. PHKA, KSDA and the relevant NGOs must raise awareness among the judiciary on the seriousness of wildlife crime and investigators should be given proper training on collecting sufficient evidence for making a strong case; 4) Better inter-agency cooperation is needed among the different enforcement agencies, such as Quarantine and Customs at the seaports and the Police to carry out the raids at retail outlets. The formation and function of the ASEAN-WEN Wildlife Crime Task Force, involving agencies such as the Judiciary, Customs, Police, Navy and Quarantine, should be hastened. Details: Petaling Jaya, Malaysia: TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, 2007. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 14, 2011 at: www.traffic.org Year: 2007 Country: Indonesia URL: Shelf Number: 122057 Keywords: Illegal TradePoachingTigersWild Animal TradeWildlife CrimesWildlife Smuggling |
Author: Dronova, Natalia A. Title: Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Pacific Salmon Fishing in Kamchatka Summary: Kamchatka is a large peninsula in the Northeast of Asia; it is connected to the mainland by an isthmus. As this territory is sur rounded by the cold and productive waters of the North Pacific, Kamchatka's economy historically depended on fishing and seafood processing. The fishing and processing of salmon played, and continue to play, a major role in the economy. At least ten species of salmon inhabit the waters of the penin sula, five of which (pink salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbucha; chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta; sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka; coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutsch and chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tschawytscha) are fished commercially. Salmon fishing has a long history in Kamchatka, and remains an important source of economic stability and external income. In addition, the industry supplies a significant portion of the entire country's seafood. Between 2000 and 2004, Pacific salmon comprised 6.17 % of the overall Russian catch, and 16.51% of total catch in Kamchatka's waters. Poaching has a significant negative impact on the Pacific salmon stock in Russian waters. Wellorganized illegal fishing undermines the management of the salmon stock, and in many cases leads to stock depletion. In addition, organized illegal fish ing contributes to corruption and criminalization of society, draws fishing income out of the region, and weakens incentives for eco nomic development of the region and sustainable fishing. In this report, the term "salmon poaching" implies the following: illegal and unrecorded commercial fishing (in excess of allocat ed quotas) in the seas and large rivers; illegal fishing for the purpose of roe extraction at the approach es to spawning grounds; and fishing by the local people, without permission, for personal consumption. The goal of this study was to analyze available information on various types of poaching, assess the scale of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and develop recommendations towards reducing the illegal catch. The report was prepared under the auspices of the Project for conservation of the Kamchatka salmon and its habitat. The proj ect was financed by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Details: Moscos: Traffic Europe - Russia, 2008. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 15, 2012 at: www.traffic.org/species-reports/traffic_species_fish32.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Russia URL: Shelf Number: 125271 Keywords: Illegal Fishing (Russia)Salmon FishingWildlife Crimes |
Author: Martin, Esmond Title: The Ivory Dynasty: A Report on the Soaring Demand for Elephant and Mammoth Ivory in Southern China Summary: China is the largest importer by weight of illegal ivory in the world (Milliken, et al. 2009). In response the government of China took steps to reduce this illegal ivory trade in 2004 by introducing an official identification card for each ivory item sold in registered shops. China was then approved by CITES to buy tusks from the southern African ivory auctions in 2008; Chinese traders bought 62 tonnes. In January 2011 we surveyed ivory factories and retail outlets in Guangzhou, the largest city in southern China and an important ivory centre, and in Fuzhou, a city famous for carving. According to a factory owner in Fuzhou, in 2010 he paid on average USD 455/kg for government-owned 1-5kg tusks with a range of USD 303- 530/kg. Similarly, privately-owned raw ivory in 2010 was USD 750/ kg, according to various sources. Siberian mammoth high quality tusks were around USD 400/kg in 2010 wholesale in China. In Guangzhou we counted 6,437 ivory objects (88% newer items) on display for retail sale of which 3,947 were being sold without ID cards therefore illegally. There were 80 outlets selling ivory in Guangzhou of which only eight displayed the compulsory ID cards. Demand for ivory is increasing; since 2004 there has been a 50% increase in the number of ivory items for sale in Guangzhou. There were also 6,541 mammoth ivory items counted, mostly in mammoth ivory specialty shops. Since 2004 there has been a 100% rise in mammoth ivory items in Guangzhou. This is mainly due to an increasingly wealthy Chinese population, and favourable publicity about mammoth tusks. In Fuzhou, ivory demand is much less: we counted only 282 ivory items (66% older pieces) in 39 outlets; none had ID cards. Mammoth ivory items numbered 100, mostly in one outlet. Of all the elephant ivory items we counted in Guangzhou and Fuzhou, 63% did not have ID cards and were therefore illegally on display. Recommendations to cut down illegal trade are given in this report. Details: London: Elephant Family, The Aspinall Foundation and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 2011. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 20, 2012 at: http://www.elephantfamily.org/uploads/copy/EF_Ivory_Report_2011_web.pdf Year: 2011 Country: China URL: http://www.elephantfamily.org/uploads/copy/EF_Ivory_Report_2011_web.pdf Shelf Number: 125711 Keywords: ElephantsIllegal Ivory Trade (China)Mammoth TusksWildlife Crimes |
Author: Kamweti, David Title: Nature and Extent of Environmental Crime in Kenya Summary: This report deals with the nature and extent of environmental crime in Kenya and was commissioned by the Environmental Crimes Project (ECP) of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). The ECP is a project in partnership with the East African Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (EAPCCO). Its core objective is to enhance human security by improving regional law enforcement and policymaking to fight environmental crime in eastern Africa. An environmental crime can be defined as a grave act against the environment that results in the infringement of the right of citizens to a clean and healthy environment. For such an act to constitute a crime, it must contravene laid-down legislation in the various sectors of the environment, such as forestry, water and wildlife. Environmental offences have, for a long time, been treated as misdemeanours, and not felonies. Environmental crime is a serious and growing concern, leading to the near extinction of valuable wildlife species, and significantly impacting on the biological integrity of the planet. It contributes to environmental degradation, which in turn affects the quality and quantity of environmental resources. By doing so, it leads to unhealthy competition for these scarce resources, and subsequently to volatile situations and even resource-use conflicts. As such, environmental crime impacts on human livelihoods. Details: Pretoria: Institute for Security Studies, 2009. 78p. Source: Internet Resource: Monograph 166: Accessed August 7, 2012 at: http://www.iss.co.za/pgcontent.php?UID=2764 Year: 2009 Country: Kenya URL: http://www.iss.co.za/pgcontent.php?UID=2764 Shelf Number: 125896 Keywords: Law Enforcement, EnvironmentNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the Environment (Kenya)Wildlife Crimes |
Author: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Title: Wildlife and Forest Crime Analytic Toolkit Summary: Wildlife and forest offences are a complex phenomenon with many layers and dimensions. Wildlife and forest offences often result from the interplay of a multitude of factors—cultural, economic, social and environmental—and can involve a wide variety of actors. Thus, to achieve an effective response, wildlife and forest offences need to be addressed via a coordinated and multisectoral approach. This complexity makes it challenging for governments and international organizations to identify the strengths and weaknesses of and gaps in existing legislative, administrative, enforcement, judicial and preventive systems. Additionally, the fundamental difference between wildlife and forest offences and other forms of crimes should be acknowledged. Most property crimes, such as robbery, theft, arson and vandalism, are criminalized because they inflict harm on people or man-made property by creating uncertainty, diminishing confidence, and harming commerce and economic growth. All of these reasons apply for criminalizing the same acts against natural resources. However, there is an additional dimension to the fight against wildlife and forest crime; legislation to protect wildlife and forests also aims to ensure the sustainability of natural resource systems. This sets a different dynamic for wildlife and forest law enforcement, which should lead to the analysis of uses and users of wildlife resources taking into consideration the sustainability and promotion of compliance with good resource management policies. This Wildlife and Forest Crime Analytic Toolkit is intended to serve as an initial entry point for national governments, international actors, practitioners and scholars to better understand the complexity of the issue, and to serve as a framework around which a prevention and response strategy can be developed. The Toolkit provides an inventory of measures that can assist in the analysis of the nature and extent of wildlife and forest offences and in deterring and combating these offences. It is also intended to contribute to an understanding of the various factors that drive wildlife and forest offences to integrate the information and experience gained from such analysis into national, regional and international strategies. The Toolkit has been developed based on (a) lessons learned from national and international efforts to curtail illegal trade in wildlife, plants, animal derivatives and plant material, (b) scholarly analyses and the examination of cases, and (c) consultations with key stakeholders and relevant experts. The causes, components and consequences of wildlife and forest offences vary among countries, regions and societies around the world. There is no “one size fits all” solution to this issue. In formulating effective countermeasures, it is important that local patterns of wildlife and forest offences and the concerns of local communities be recognized and integrated into policy and legislation. The Wildlife and Forest Crime Analytic Toolkit is intended to provide a range of options that, in various combinations, will enable each country to assemble an integrated strategy that will be as effective as possible in meeting the country’s own unique needs. The measures set out in this Toolkit have been grouped into five key parts: legislation, enforcement, judiciary and prosecution, drivers and prevention, and data and analysis. The tools are organized thematically to ensure ease of use and to assist users in understanding the key issues confronting the system being analysed. The Toolkit in its current form will be pilot-tested in partnership with three selected national governments and will be revised to ensure that it is a practical, applicable tool. Additional material will be added as future needs are identified. Details: Vienna, UNODC, 2012. 212p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed September 17, 2012 at: http://www.unodc.org/documents/Wildlife/Toolkit.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.unodc.org/documents/Wildlife/Toolkit.pdf Shelf Number: 126364 Keywords: Illegal LoggingIllegal TradeNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the EnvironmentWildlife Crimes |
Author: Hansen, Kevin Title: Crimes Against the Wild: Poaching in California Summary: California's wildlife is being slaughtered on an alarming scale by a new breed of criminal who kills wild animals illegally for money- the commercial poacher. The image of a poacher as a poor, uneducated man just trying to put meat on the table is outdated. No longer Simply an occasional deer killed outside the legal hunting season or catching a couple of fish over the legal limit, the age of large-scale commercial poaching has arrived. While more traditional forms of poaching persist, killing wildlife for monetary gain has taken the carnage to a new level and poses a significant threat to our state's wildlife heritage. Skilled, organized, and well-equipped teams of poachers are decimating California's wildlife and reaping obscene profits in the process. The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) conservatively estimates that commercial poaching in the state is a $100,000,000 a year business and is now the second greatest threat to our wildlife after habitat destruction. The variety and scope of the killing are staggering: • Black bears in northern California's mountains are tracked relentlessly by packs of trained hounds, run up trees, and shot at pOint-blank range. Their gall bladders are then cut out and paws severed. The gall bladders will bring $5,600 an OUl1ce in the apothecary markets of Korea or China as a medicinal curative. (More than the cost of an equal weighrof gold or cocaine.) The paws will fetch $30 to $100 each as a gourmet delicacy. A bear paw meal could cost $400 in some Asian countries. e In 1989, wardens arrested two men as they pulled their boat into Sausalito harbor with a huge haul of 600 abalone. The confiscated mollusks had a wholesale value of atleast$10,500, double that at retail. Consumers may pay as much as $32 to $37 a pound, making it the costliest seafood on the market. Some abalone poachers boast openly of pulling down $20,000 in a good month (Castle 1989). The mollusk must also contend with natural predation, disease, legitimate commercial and sport harvest, and pollution. Meanwhile, abalone populations are in precipitous decline in central and southern California (Karpov 1990). • In 1980, the Department of Fish and Game reported that 32,377 deer were killed legally in the state and an estimated 75,000 were poached (Sheehan 1981a, 1981 b). Many of the illegal kills are for the sale of the meat, hides, and horns. DFG also estimates that in excess of 1,000 deer valued at $32,500 are taker. and illegally sold annually in southern California. The estimate is based upon known commercial operations and arrests. Similar statistics are found throughout the rest of the state. Studies show that wardens made arrests in only one percent of the illegal deer violations and that only two percent of the illegal activities were even reported to DFG (CDFG 1986). It In the San Francisco Bay and Sacramentol San Joaquin Delta areas, poachers take enormous numbers of striped bass using illegal gill nets and set lines. One year the illegal catch was estimated at 50,000 fish - a number which matched the sport catch. Arrests were made of individuals who had taken up to 1,200 pounds of illegal striped bass in one night's fishing (CDFG 1986). With the fish going for as much as $3.75 per pound at a store or restaurant, a poacher toting several hundred pounds of fish can make a healthy profit after a night's work. Some game wardens estimate that more than 400,000 fish of many different species are poached each year from the Delta (Locklin 1991). I i e In 1988,16 people were arrested by wildlife officers in synchronized raids in California and Arizona, culminating a 2-1/2 year undercover sting operation. California wardens seized 149 venomous snakes, six endangered desert tortoises, a dozen piranhas, a 6-foot crocodile, and other rare and protected animals. Among the snakes was a rare Catalina Island rattlesnake, valued at $400 by collectors (Johnston 1988). Wardens fear that reptile poachers in California's deserts are stripping entire mountain ranges of resident snakes and lizards. Chuckwallas, a large lizard inhabiting the Mojave Desert, bring $75 to $100 in the illicit pet trade. Some wildlife officials suggest that commercial poaching is not new, but rather the latest incarnation of the market hunting that occurred in California and throughout North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. During this era, wild animal species were decimated to supply the restaurant and fashion trades. The carnage was so extensive that it lead to some of the first wildlife protection laws and the establishment of state agencies such as the California Department of Fish and Game. However, modern commercial poaching differs from market hunting in a number of significant ways: 1) the scope of the killing is far greater, involving many more species; 2) foreign markets provide a new and larger demand for California wildlife; 3) new technology allows the commercial poacher to find, kill, process, and hide wildlife more efficiently than ever; 4) commercial poachers are criminals frequently involved in other types of crime; and 5) commercial poaching is extremely lucrative, second only to the drug trade in profits. Well organized and illegal, commercial hunting operations are open for business throughout California (CDFG 1986). If a wild animal or any of its parts can be eaten, worn, stuffed and displayed, caged as a "pet," made into jewelry, or sold as a purported medicine, it probably is falling prey to poachers. Animals that are poached include bear, elk, deer, mountain lion, bighorn sheep, wild pig, bobcat, coyote, rabbit, eagle, and other birds of prey, duck and other waterfowl, most fish and seafood, bullfrog, reptile, and even butterflies (Breedlove and Rothblatt 1987). Poaching has a long tradition in rural America: blinding deer at night with a spotlight, and shooting it with a coffee can over the rifle barrel to muffle the shot; using a barrel of molasses chained to a tree as bait for black bears; shooting a duck or two in the farm pond for dinner. But over the past decade, as wildlife numbers dropped, the stakes have soared. Word is out in the illegal hunting community that fresh black bear gall bladders are worth up to $200 each, a bobcat pelt $100, or a bighorn sheep head $3,000 (the value of each multiplying many times before it reaches the consumer). Poaching has become big business (Poten 1991). Commercial poaching in California is part of the much larger international wildlife trade that, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, grosses at least $5 billion a year. As much as 25 percent ($1.25 billion) may be illegally smuggled birds, reptiles, and mammals. With Los Angeles and San Francisco being major ports of entry, California receives a major portion of wildlife imports from other countries. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has only nine wildlife inspectors at the two ports trying to fight off an ever-growing tide of illegal imports. Of the 80,000 wildlife shipments coming into the United States through ten ports of entry each year, 95 percent of the shipments are never inspected, but cleared on paperwork alone (Speart 1993). Estimates put the black market in America's wildlife at $200 million and rising (Hanback 1992a). Wildlife runs second only to the illegal drug trade in profits (Speart 1993). Details: Sacramento: Mountain Lion Foundation, 1994. 68p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 24, 2012 at: http://www.mountainlion.org/publications/Crimes%20Against%20the%20Wild.pdf Year: 1994 Country: United States URL: http://www.mountainlion.org/publications/Crimes%20Against%20the%20Wild.pdf Shelf Number: 126997 Keywords: Animal Poaching (California)Illegal HuntingWildlife Crimes |
Author: Dalberg Title: Fighting Illicit Wildlife Trafficking: A Consultation with Governments Summary: This report summarizes the views of a number of governments and international organizations on illicit wildlife traffi cking. These views were collected through a series of structured interviews, and this report is the fi rst to provide a snapshot of current governmental and intergovernmental opinions on this topic. The current global approach to fi ghting illicit wildlife trafficking is failing, contributing to the instability of society and threatening the existence of some illegally traded species. The governments and international organizations consulted on this issue agree that the current approach is not suffi cient. However, opinions on the responsibility of different actors vary: countries that are primarily associated with demand are concerned with enforcement on the supply side, while countries that are primarily associated with supply are concerned with education and enforcement on the demand side. International organizations and government representatives point out that while there are individuals within governments and international organizations who are passionate about halting illicit wildlife trafficking, it is not a priority for governments. There is general agreement among governments and international organizations that the commitments made and the actions taken are uncoordinated and fail to address the issue effectively. There is broad recognition that the absence of an effective response threatens iconic species such as the rhinoceros, the tiger and the elephant and has far-reaching implications for society as a whole. Governments are in agreement that: • Illicit wildlife traffi cking compromises the security of countries. Much of the trade in illegal wildlife products is run by criminal groups with broad international reach, and the profi ts can be used to fi nance civil confl icts and terrorist-related activities. Illicit wildlife traffi cking is also linked to other forms of illegal traffi cking and money-laundering. • Illicit wildlife traffi cking hinders sustainable social and economic development. The corruption that is associated with illicit wildlife traffi cking, and the security threat posed by the often violent nature of illegal wildlife product sourcing, deter investment and hinder growth in source, transit and demand countries. They reduce the effectiveness of governments, deter civil engagement, erode the rule of law, harm the reputation of and trust in the state, and affect the growth of local communities. • Illicit wildlife traffi cking destroys natural wealth. Wildlife is considered an important asset by many communities – often the poorest – in the developing world. The illegal exploitation of wildlife is capable of heavily depleting species and, in some cases, of bringing a species close to extinction. • Illicit wildlife traffi cking poses risks to global health. Illicit wildlife traffi cking can represent a disease transmission mechanism that threatens the health of humans, livestock and ecosystems, and such trade prevents more effective, regulated and legitimate treatments for disease being sought. The representatives of governments and international organizations interviewed for this study pointed out that, to be successful, the approach to fi ghting illicit wildlife traffi cking needs to get to the core of the issue, changing the behaviour of those people who demand, supply and otherwise profi t from illicit wildlife traffi cking. The momentum is building, with commitments made at Rio+20, recent CITES meetings and other global platforms. The next step is for governments and the international community to deliver on their commitments and be held to account for their action or, crucially, their lack of action. Details: Gland, SWIT: World Wildlife Fund, 2012. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 24, 2013 at: http://awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwffightingillicitwildlifetrafficking_lr_1.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwffightingillicitwildlifetrafficking_lr_1.pdf Shelf Number: 127394 Keywords: Animal PoachingIllegal Wildlife TradeOffenses Against the EnvironmentTrafficking in WildlifeWildlife Crimes |
Author: Animal Rights Africa Title: Under Siege: Rhinoceroses in South Africa Summary: Trophy hunting in the 19th century devastated rhinoceros populations in Africa. By the 1920s there were fewer than a hundred of the southern white rhinoceroses left in the Umfolozi region in KwaZulu-Natal. Preservation, overt protection and habitat and range expansion strategies led to the growth in the number of rhinoceroses in South Africa and brought them back from the brink of extinction. An important component of these strategies was the prohibition of hunting. There is now a completely different situation at play, where the hunting, poaching and trade of rhinoceroses, both illegal and legal, are once again not only severely impacting on the species but also causing untold suffering and death for the individuals involved. Rhinoceros poaching has reached a 15-year high in Africa and Asia and there are therefore justifiable concerns about the current protection and management of these animals in South Africa as well as the need for public discourse and involvement. South Africa is currently entrusted with over 90% of the world’s population of white rhinoceroses, but at the same time it has become abundantly clear that not only are rhinoceroses in South Africa facing one of their worst threats ever as a species, but they are literally under siege. According to the Department of Environment rhinoceroses poaching in South Africa has reached the highest levels in decades. In the short space of 19 months, poaching of rhinoceroses in South Africa has accelerated to a rate almost six times higher than that of the previous eight years and at the same time a report by international conservation bodies claims the country has become the conduit of most of the rhinoceros horns leaving the African continent. The threats rhinoceroses are facing are linked to South Africa’s current uncompassionate conservation policies of overt consumptive use and trade and inadequate policing, enforcement measures and resources to protect rhinoceroses. And as with elephants the trade, sale and hunting of rhinoceroses in South Africa is driven by commodification, commercialisation and profit rather than by compassion or robust science. Details: Animal Rights Africa, 2009. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 5, 2013 at: http://www.rhinoresourcecenter.com/pdf_files/125/1255419687.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Africa URL: http://www.rhinoresourcecenter.com/pdf_files/125/1255419687.pdf Shelf Number: 127517 Keywords: Animal Poaching (Africa)Illegal HuntingIllegal Wildlife TradeRhinocerosRhinosWildlife Crimes |
Author: Benson, W. Title: The Effectiveness of Enforcement of Environmental Legislation Summary: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is seeking a stakeholder consensus on the nature and scale of problems which may be affecting enforcement of environmental regulations. As part of that process in September 2005 it commissioned WRc to: • gather and analyse evidence to identify and define obstacles to efficient and effective enforcement of environmental regulations in England and Wales; • describe, in an objective way, any significant obstacles; and • establish criteria which possible solutions would need to achieve to overcome such obstacles. In addition to underpinning productive discussion of the issues, the assessment was also intended to assist the production of Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) for any proposals for regulatory change. To cover a range of enforcement processes, regulators and regulated activities in a structured and systematic way, the study focused on five carefully selected Case Study Areas (CSAs): • Integrated Pollution Prevention & Control (IPPC), Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) and Local Authority Pollution Control (LAPC). • Water Quality. • Waste Management. • Noise. • Wildlife (species and habitat protection). The legislative framework, identifying the specific offences and regulatory powers that are relevant to the CSAs, is set out in Appendix A. Relevant previous work on the effectiveness of, and barriers to, enforcement was identified by literature search. Additionally, further data (both on the five CSAs, and of more general relevance) were sought and analysed, covering: • pollution incidents and actions taken (data from the Environment Agency); • fly-tipping (data from Defra); and • prosecutions and sentences (data from the Home Office and other sources). A number of statistical and other analytical techniques were applied to these data, as described in detail in appendices to the report. The information gained was examined, not only to obtain specific information about the five CSAs, but also – in the light of that obtained about environmental enforcement generally – to identify common themes and issues. Details: Swindon, UK: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 2006. 163p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 21, 2013 at: http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/policy/enforcement/pdf/envleg-enforce-wrcreport.pdf Year: 2006 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/policy/enforcement/pdf/envleg-enforce-wrcreport.pdf Shelf Number: 127657 Keywords: Environmental CrimesNoiseOffenses Against the Environment (U.K.)PollutionWildlife Crimes |
Author: Environmental Justice Foundation Title: Party to Plunder: Illegal Fishing in Guinea and its Links to the EU Summary: In addition to a plethora of earlier international commitments, in November 2005, the UN General Assembly called on States to prohibit their vessels to engage in fishing on the high seas or in areas under the national jurisdiction of other States unless authorized by those States and to deter their nationals from reflagging their ships. The Assembly also called on flag and port States to prevent the operation of substandard vessels and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities and ensure that vessels flying their flags did not engage in transshipping fish caught illegally (www.un.org). Illegal fishing by foreign trawlers in Guinea’s coastal zone is widespread and increasing, despite the attention that has been focussed on illegal fishing by the international community in recent years. Marine resources and the coastal communities that depend upon them are suffering from unsustainable fishing activities, including massive bycatch and discards, problems that are being significantly compounded by the presence of illegal fishing vessels. Illegal fishing is aided by the widespread use of flags of convenience that are used to conceal the identity of the true beneficial vessel owners. Various tactics are used to confuse the identity of fishing vessels, including multiple vessel names and frequent changes in name and registry. Penalising wrongdoers can therefore be very difficult, and penalties do not in many cases serve as sufficient deterrent given the lucrative gains to be made from illegal fishing. Some of the vessels arrested by Guinean authorities have been seen in Las Palmas, Spain, suggesting that illegal fish is being marketed in the European Community. Once the fish has been landed in Las Palmas, it is extremely difficult to track it to its final market destination. There are significant problems in the traceability of fish within the EU to ensure that illegally-caught fish does not enter the marketplace. Guinea has serious problems in keeping these illegally operating vessels at bay, given their lack of logistical and financial resources. A unique and novel experimental method has been tried in recent years by integrating artisanal fishermen in the surveillance system. Despite its promising beginning, the programme is currently facing difficulties and international support is decreasing. Regional efforts and cooperation need to be enhanced in order to ensure that enforcement efforts in one area do not result in displacement of illegal activity to more remote areas where surveillance is lacking. The European Union, as a major market for Guinean fish and an important partner though its bilateral fisheries agreement, has an important role to play. Crucially, the EU must take steps to ensure that it does not facilitate or promote IUU fishing in Guinea, by examining traceability from the sea to the marketplace; ensuring that fishing agreements promote sustainable and legal fisheries; remedying the role of Las Palmas in IUU fishing; and the involvement of EU nationals and associated companies in undertaking IUU fishing in Guinea and elsewhere in the region. Details: London: Environmental Justice Foundation, 2005. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 22, 2013 at: http://www.imcsnet.org/imcs/docs/party_to_the_plunder_guinea.pdf Year: 2005 Country: Guinea URL: http://www.imcsnet.org/imcs/docs/party_to_the_plunder_guinea.pdf Shelf Number: 128074 Keywords: Illegal Fishing (Guinea)Natural ResourcesWildlife Crimes |
Author: Verité Title: Research on Indicators of Forced Labor in the Supply Chain of Fish in Indonesia: Platform (Jermal) Fishing, Small-Boat Anchovy Fishing, and Blast Fishing Summary: Verité carried out research on the presence of indicators of forced labor in the production of ten goods in seven countries from 2008 through 2011. Research was carried out on the production of shrimp in Bangladesh; Brazil-nuts, cattle, corn, and peanuts in Bolivia; sugar in the Dominican Republic; coffee in Guatemala; fish in Indonesia; rubber in Liberia; and tuna in the Philippines. The following report is based on research on the presence of indicators of forced labor in certain types of fishing in Indonesia. This research was not intended to determine the existence or scale of forced labor in the countries and sectors under study, but rather to identify the presence of indicators of forced labor and factors that increased workers‘ vulnerability to labor exploitation. Objectives The primary objectives of the project were to: obtain background information on certain areas of the fishing sector in Indonesia; create a methodology to study the presence of indicators of forced labor in some areas of the Indonesian fishing sector; identify and document indicators of forced labor among workers in the Indonesian fishing sector; document the broader working conditions that workers in the fishing sector experience; and determine the risk factors for vulnerability to forced labor and other forms of exploitation in the particular areas of the Indonesian fishing sector. Details: Amherst, MA: Verite, 2012(?). 136p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 22, 2013 at: http://www.verite.org/sites/default/files/images/Research%20on%20Indicators%20of%20Forced%20Labor%20in%20the%20Indonesian%20Fishing%20Sector__9.16.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Indonesia URL: http://www.verite.org/sites/default/files/images/Research%20on%20Indicators%20of%20Forced%20Labor%20in%20the%20Indonesian%20Fishing%20Sector__9.16.pdf Shelf Number: 128086 Keywords: Fishing Industry (Indonesia)Forced LaborIllegal FishingNatural ResourceWildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes |
Author: Verité Title: Research on Indicators of Forced Labor in the Supply Chain of Shrimp in Bangladesh Summary: Verité carried out research on the presence of indicators of forced labor in the production of goods in seven countries from 2008 through 2011. Research was carried out on the production of shrimp in Bangladesh; Brazil-nuts, cattle, corn, and peanuts in Bolivia; sugar in the Dominican Republic; coffee in Guatemala; fish in Indonesia; rubber in Liberia; and tuna in the Philippines. The following report is based on research on the presence of indicators of forced labor in the Bangladesh shrimp sector. This research was not intended to determine the existence or scale of forced labor in the countries and sectors under study, but rather to identify the presence of indicators of forced labor and factors that increased workers' vulnerability to labor exploitation. Context/Objectives -- Bangladesh is a country facing high levels of poverty, with approximately 50 percent of the population living below the international poverty line. The shrimp sector has been promoted as a needed source of development, and indeed, has provided income to many workers. At the same time previous research has tied the shrimp sector to labor, environmental, and human rights abuses. However, little of the previous research specifically explored indicators of forced labor. The primary objectives of the project were to: obtain background information on the shrimp sector in Bangladesh; create a methodology to study the presence of indicators of forced labor in the Bangladesh shrimp sector; identify and document indicators of forced labor among workers in the shrimp sector in Bangladesh; document the broader working conditions that workers in the shrimp sector experience; and determine the risk factors for indicators of forced labor and other forms of exploitation in the Bangladesh shrimp sector. Details: Amherst, MA: Verite, 2012(?). 134p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 22, 2013 at: http://www.verite.org/sites/default/files/images/Research%20on%20Indicators%20of%20Forced%20Labor%20in%20the%20Bangladesh%20Shrimp%20Sector__9.16.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Bangladesh URL: http://www.verite.org/sites/default/files/images/Research%20on%20Indicators%20of%20Forced%20Labor%20in%20the%20Bangladesh%20Shrimp%20Sector__9.16.pdf Shelf Number: 128087 Keywords: Forced LaborIllegal FishingNatural ResourcesShrimp Industry (Bangladesh)Wildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Born Free Foundation Title: Ivory Update. Prepared for the: 54th Meeting of the CITES Standing Committee 2nd – 6th October 2006, Geneva Summary: This ivory report documents the seizure of more than 30 tonnes of ivory since CoP13 (November 2004). Since 1998, when the Species Survival Network first began collecting data on ivory seizures, more than 151 tonnes of ivory have been recorded as seized. This interim ivory report has been prepared for the 54th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee (SC54) and is intended to update the Parties on significant ivory seizure information since CoP13. It will additionally discuss elephant issues that will arise at SC54, including the one-off trade of ivory approved at CoP12, MIKE (Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants) baseline data, and the ivory Action Plan. Finally, it will comment on the issue of ivory stockpiles and problems relating to the harmonisation of seizure reporting. At the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (Santiago, Chile, 2002), the Parties approved a one-off sale of 60 tonnes of ivory (30 tonnes from South Africa, 20 tonnes from Botswana and 10 tonnes from Namibia). No such trade has taken place as conditions placed upon these exports have not been met to the satisfaction of the Standing Committee. These conditions are: i) only registered government-owned stocks, originating in the State (excluding seized ivory and ivory of unknown origin) and, in the case of South Africa, only ivory originating from the Kruger National Park; ii) only to trading partners that have been verified by the Secretariat, in consultation with the Standing Committee, to have sufficient national legislation and domestic trade controls to ensure that the imported ivory will not be re-exported and will be managed in accordance with all requirements of Resolution Conf. 10.10 (Rev CoP12) concerning domestic manufacturing and trade; iii) not before the Secretariat has verified the prospective importing countries, and the MIKE programme has reported to the Secretariat on the baseline information (e.g. elephant population numbers, incidence of illegal killing); iv) a maximum of 20,000kg (Botswana), 10,000kg (Namibia) and 30,000kg (South Africa) of ivory may be traded, and despatched in a single shipment under strict supervision of the Secretariat; v) the proceeds of the trade are used exclusively for elephant conservation and community conservation and development programmes within or adjacent to the elephant range; and vi) only after the Standing Committee has agreed that the above conditions have been met. Details: Horsham, UK: Born Free Foundation, 2006. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed march 23, 2013 at: http://www.bornfree.org.uk/fileadmin/user_upload/files/reports/SCIvoryReportFINAL.pdf Year: 2006 Country: International URL: http://www.bornfree.org.uk/fileadmin/user_upload/files/reports/SCIvoryReportFINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 128094 Keywords: Animal PoachingIllegal Wildlife TradeIvoryWildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes |
Author: Turtle Conservation Coalition Title: Turtles in Trouble: The World’s 25+ Most Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles—2011 Summary: Turtles are in serious trouble. They are among the world’s most endangered vertebrates, with about half of their more than 300 species threatened with extinction. We commonly hear about the plight of other animal groups; however, turtles are much more at risk of impending extinction than birds, mammals, amphibians, or sharks and rays, and paralleled among the larger vertebrate groups only by the primates (Turtle Taxonomy Working Group 2010, www. iucnredlist.org, Hoffmann et al. 2010). Turtles throughout the world are being impacted by a variety of major threats, to which many are gradually succumbing. They are being collected, traded, and eaten or otherwise used, in overwhelming numbers. They are used for food, pets, traditional medicine—eggs, juveniles, adults, body parts—all are exploited indiscriminately, with little regard for sustainability. On top of the targeted onslaught, their habitats are being increasingly fragmented, destroyed, developed, and polluted. Populations are shrinking nearly everywhere. Species worldwide are threatened and vulnerable, many are critically endangered, others teeter on the very brink of extinction, and a few have already been lost forever, with eight species and two subspecies having gone extinct since 1500 AD (see table, p. 5). The world’s living tortoise and freshwater turtle species are a remarkable evolutionary success story. There are about 328 currently recognized modern species (452 taxa; Turtle Taxonomy Working Group 2010). Turtles have existed for about 220 million years, since the Late Triassic Era, outlasting their early contemporaries, the dinosaurs. Turtles and tortoises have evolved a remarkable armored shell that has remained relatively unchanged through evolution, and while other vertebrate species have evolved and gone extinct, the basic body form of turtles has remained an obvious testament to their success and their ability to survive millions of years of natural selection. However, the previously successful survival adaptations of turtles, including delayed sexual maturity, high fecundity combined with high juvenile mortality, and a long adult life-span with low natural adult mortality, have left turtle populations vulnerable to new and devastating threats posed by human exploitation and habitat loss. Turtles and tortoises are major biodiversity components of the ecosystems they inhabit, often serving as keystone species from which other animals and plants benefit— Desert and Gopher Tortoises in North America, Giant River Turtles in the Amazon basin of South America, Pig-nosed Turtles in Australia and New Guinea, Giant Tortoises in the Galápagos and Seychelles islands, and large Flapshell and Softshell Turtles in Asia—all represent major components in their environments and are part of the web of interacting and co-dependent species that constitute healthy functioning ecosystems. Without turtles and tortoises, those ecosystems and the critically important human-welfare ecoservices they provide, would gradually suffer from the loss of biodiversity and degrade in ways still incompletely understood and difficult to predict. No turtle species should be lost to extinction, as none are expendable or unimportant. Increasingly, however, human activities are endangering many turtle and tortoise species while driving others into extinction. We are facing a turtle survival crisis unprecedented in its severity and risk. Humans are the problem, and must therefore also be the solution. Without concerted conservation action, many of the world’s turtles and tortoises will become extinct within the next few decades. It is now up to us to prevent the loss of these remarkable, unique jewels of evolution. Without intervention, countless species will be lost. We need to work together for the survival of turtles throughout the world, to understand the risks and threats turtles face, to define survival and conservation objectives, and to develop the successful management strategies and organizational alliances that can help us reach those goals. Details: Lunenburg, MA: IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, Turtle Conservation Fund, Turtle Survival Alliance, Turtle Conservancy, Chelonian Research Foundation, Conservation International, Wildlife Conservation Society, and San Diego Zoo Global, 2011. 54p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2013 at: http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/top_25__turtles_in_trouble_2011__2_.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/top_25__turtles_in_trouble_2011__2_.pdf Shelf Number: 128106 Keywords: TortoisesTurtlesWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Horne, Brian D. Title: Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years Summary: The workshop entitled "Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years ” hosted by Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), 21-24 February 2011. Nearly 70 delegates from 17 countries –including 14 Asian nations – attended. A primary directive and the basis of the workshop, participants were tasked with looking back at the last decade of turtle conservation since the pivotal meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 1999 that first brought together the region’s turtle experts. By assessing the past eleven years, participants were able to identify what actions worked well, which ones did not work as well as hoped, and which recommendations/priorities had not been adequately addressed. Next, the participants were asked to look forward to determine emerging trends and new developments and dilemmas/challenges in the continuously changing habitat impacts and market trade in turtles and turtle products. This report presents a set of recommendations and conclusions arising from presentations, discussions, and break-out sessions at the workshop. The first set of overall recommendations represent the immediate steps necessary for staving off extinction of Asia’s most endangered turtles. These recommendations are of the highest priority. Key policy recommendations are then made, arising from an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red-Listing process that was incorporated as part of the Singapore workshop. In addition, a specific session on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was held. These recommendations dovetail into recommendations for proposed changes to the CITES listing of Asian turtles and how specific species need to be more strictly regulated and supervised in their international trade to protect wild populations. The key policy recommendations should be pivotal in encouraging participating countries to enforce existing laws and regulations and in some cases create new laws or regulations. Two genera have been identified as priority groups as they make up a large percentage of the most critically endangered turtles in Asia. This is followed by a section on emerging threats and includes recommendations for dealing with these new issues. After which a number of emerging opportunities are detailed for turtle conservation in Asia. The report then features two potential species for pilot reintroduction programs. Before the report concludes, it details species-specific recommendations for the 36 confirmed and proposed Critically Endangered Turtles and Tortoises in South and Southeast Asia, and lastly, there is a short section on the need to gather information on species’ ranked as Data Deficient in order to determine such species population status. Details: Singapore: Wildlife Conservation Society, 2012. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2013 at: http://www.turtlesurvival.org/storage/documents/Singapore_Report_complete.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Asia URL: http://www.turtlesurvival.org/storage/documents/Singapore_Report_complete.pdf Shelf Number: 128107 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeTurtles and Tortoises (Asia)Wildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Bromley, Tom Title: Development AND Gorillas? Assessing fifteen years of integrated conservation and development in south-western Uganda Summary: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are two afromontane forests considered as extremely important biodiversity areas, with global significance, due to their population of highly endangered Mountain Gorilla. Threats to the two parks include uncontrolled exploitation of forest resources as well as fire damage and the indirect pressures of demand for land. In response to these threats, a range of “integrated conservation and development” strategies have been applied in and around Bwindi and Mgahinga. This report summarises the findings of a study which tested the effectiveness of these strategies in reconciling biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development interests. It confirms the validity of the assumption that linking local people to a resource and helping generate a steady stream of benefits increases willingness to manage and protect that resource, over the long term but notes inconclusive evidence that providing alternative livelihoods is an effective conservation strategy. Details: London: International Institute for Environment and Development, 2010. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2013 at: http://pubs.iied.org/14592IIED.html Year: 2010 Country: Uganda URL: http://pubs.iied.org/14592IIED.html Shelf Number: 128108 Keywords: BiodiversityGorillasWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Global Tiger Initiative Secretariat Title: Global Tiger Recovery Program Implementation Report 2012 Summary: In November of 2010, leaders of the 13 Tiger Range Countries (TRCs) assembled at an unprecedented International Tiger Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia. With the extinction of wild tigers looming, they unanimously adopted the St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation and endorsed its implementation mechanism, the Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP). The overarching goal of the St. Petersburg Declaration and the GTRP is to double the global number of wild tigers across their range by 2022, the next Year of the Tiger, from an estimated 3,200 to more than 7,000. This Summit, the first-ever devoted to an endangered species, marked a historic milestone in tiger conservation and in biodiversity conservation more broadly. The St. Petersburg Declaration represents a commitment to go beyond governments and NGOs creating isolated impacts to working collaboratively for collective impact to achieve a shared vision. The comprehensive GTRP comprises the National Tiger Recovery Priorities (NTRP) of the 13 TRCs and Global Support Programs to be spearheaded by international and national partners to bolster country efforts. The GTRP outlines the concerted country-specific and collaborative actions required in the first five years of the program to move toward the 2022 goal. These actions fall under several broad themes: policy and institutional change; habitat protection and management; controlling tiger and prey poaching; institutional strengthening and capacity building; increasing community engagement and reducing human-tiger conflict; controlling illegal trade in tigers and reducing the demand that drives it; cooperation to manage transboundary tiger landscapes and to combat illegal trade; scientific monitoring, surveys, and research; and finding new sources of sustainable financing for tiger conservation. The emphasis on these themes varies from TRC to TRC, depending on each TRC’s unique challenges and situation. To track progress toward the shared goal, TRC governments committed to transparent mutual accountability for implementing the actions necessary for recovering tigers in their particular context. Partners are holding themselves accountable to the TRC’s for fulfilling their promised support programs. All agreed to periodic stocktaking to review progress, consider new information, and establish future program directions. The First Stocktaking Meeting of Senior Officials and Experts to Review Implementation of the GTRP took place on May 15- 17, 2012, in New Delhi, India. All 13 TRCs reported on their progress as well the challenges and obstacles each faced in implementing their Priority Implementation Activities (PIAs). Partners also reported on their progress and setbacks. At the same time, the TRCs and partners outlined priorities for 2012-2013. Progress in 2011 and the first half of 2012 was impressive and a clear sign that the political will generated at the 2010 Tiger Summit is leading to action on the ground. TRCs completed or made progress on most of their PIAs and partners did the same. TRCs are actively collaborating, sharing knowledge and experience. Some activities took longer to get going than planned, but that is to be expected in a new and highly ambitious undertaking involving 13 governments and dozens of partners in NGOs and international organizations. After some initial delay, external funding streams have begun to flow, and the outlook for developing the resources needed to fully fund the GTRP seems bright. The Global Tiger Initiative was founded just four years ago, in June 2008. It will take considerably more time for tigers to begin to recover and to determine whether we are moving toward the goal of doubling their numbers. The progress reported here gives cause for some optimism but it is imperative that the momentum be maintained. Also encouraging is news of a potential new TRC. Kazakhstan, once home to the Caspian tiger subspecies, is working toward reintroducing tigers to their former range there. Other TRCs with very low tiger numbers are also beginning to plan for restoring tigers to their priority landscapes. How this Report was Prepared and is Organized The St. Petersburg Declaration charged the Global Tiger Initiative (GTI) Secretariat, based at the World Bank where the GTI was founded in 2008, with a coordinating role in implementing the GTRP and supporting and encouraging the TRCs in their efforts. Before the Tiger Summit, the GTI and the TRCs were engaged in a rigorous interactive process to develop the NTRPs and the GTRP. Since the Summit, this process has continued as TRCs developed individual lists of PIAs: these were the milestones the TRC planned to reach by the end of the first implementation period. Similarly, a Partners’ To-Do List of milestones was agreed upon. All were periodically revised and updated through mid-2012. It was agreed that progress would be assessed against the PIAs and Partners’ list. To develop this first Global Tiger Recovery Program Implementation Report 2012, each TRC provided to the GTI Secretariat a two-page summary of their progress in implementation of its PIAs, including a self-assessment of whether it completed a PIA, made significant or some progress toward completing it, or made no progress. Each TRC also contributed brief information on a best practice or success story, major challenges, and PIAs for 2012-2013. Before and after the stocktaking, TRCs had opportunities to revise their summaries. These country summaries form the bulk of this report. Details: Washington, DC: The World Bank,, 2012. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 25, 2013 at: http://www.globaltigerinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/GTRP_Implementation_Report_2012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.globaltigerinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/GTRP_Implementation_Report_2012.pdf Shelf Number: 128117 Keywords: Animal PoachingIllegal Wildlife TradeTigersWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Global Tiger Initiative Secretariat Title: Global Tiger Recovery Program 2010–2022 Summary: Wild tigers are under threat of extinction across their entire range. Wild tigers (Panthera tigris) have for centuries occupied a very special place in the nature and culture of Asia. These magnificent big cats sit at the top of the ecological pyramid in vast Asian forest landscapes. The presence of viable populations of wild tigers is an indicator of the integrity, sustainability, and health of larger ecosystems. However, wild tigers are on the brink of extinction, with only about 3,200 to 3,500 surviving today, scattered among 13 Asian Tiger Range Countries (TRCs): Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russian Federation, Thailand, and Vietnam. Diverse, rich, but undervalued tiger ecosystems are degrading and disappearing. Tiger landscapes support tigers, their prey, and a vast amount of biodiversity. They also contribute to human well being, locally and globally, through the provision of many ecosystem services such as water harvesting, carbon sequestration, plant genetic materials, food security and medicinal plants, and opportunities for community-based tourism. Most of these benefits are not currently monetized so tiger landscapes are significantly undervalued in national and global agendas. As a result, degradation, fragmentation, and loss of natural habitats, depletion of prey animals, and poaching to supply a large illegal global trade in their body parts, have pushed wild tigers and their landscapes to the brink of extinction. These threats are exacerbated by limited capacity for conservation action and, in most TRCs, by insufficient resources. The Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP) seeks to empower TRCs to address the entire spectrum of threats, domestic as well as those that are transboundary in nature, and work toward increased financial sustainability through the integration of conservation objectives into development. To solve the tiger crisis, which represents the larger Asian biodiversity crisis, the TRCs, international organizations, and civil society have come together on a collaborative platform within the framework of the Global Tiger Initiative (GTI). After a two-year process of sharing knowledge and best practices and developing a common vision, the GTRP was developed, with the shared goal of doubling the number of wild tigers globally by 2022 through actions to: (i) effectively manage, preserve, protect, and enhance tiger habitats; (ii) eradicate poaching, smuggling, and illegal trade of tigers, their parts, and derivatives; (iii) cooperate in transboundary landscape management and in combating illegal trade; (iv) engage with indigenous and local communities; (v) increase the effectiveness of tiger and habitat management; and (vi) restore tigers to their former range. The foundation of the GTRP is 13 individual National Tiger Recovery Priorities (NTRPs) that outline the urgent priority activities each TRC will take to contribute to the global goal. These NTRPs are buttressed with other actions that TRCs need to do in concert with others, such as arresting transboundary illegal trade, knowledge sharing, and establishing robust systems for monitoring populations, habitats, and overall progress. Additional actions to eliminate illicit demand for tiger parts and their derivatives and to undertake habitat valuation in order to promote payment for ecosystem services schemes are also included in the GTRP portfolio of 80 activities. The GTRP calls for incremental financing of about US$350 million over the first five years of the program, over and above the domestic financing to be provided by individual TRCs, based on their ability. TRCs have identified policy and institutional reforms to enhance the effectiveness of these proposed expenditures. TRCs have built considerable early momentum in implementing policy and institutional actions. Financial support for GTRP implementation is to be through a flexible financing mechanism that enables all potential funders—official bilateral programs, multilateral development banks, and the GEF, international NGOs, as well as private and corporate entities—to support the GTRP portfolio, which is to be kept current. Program management and coordination arrangements are built on the establishment and strengthening, as needed, of robust national implementation mechanisms, supported by TRC-wide and global processes to ensure mutual accountability and transparency through vigorous monitoring and reporting of progress. The existing Global Tiger Forum (GTF) is to be strengthened to play its mandated intergovernmental role and, until longer-term coordination arrangements are agreed upon, the TRCs asked the GTI Secretariat to support the implementation phase. Suitable collaborative platforms for those providing support to TRCs, through financing, capacity building, or arresting illegal trade, are to be created. Expected results include stabilized tiger populations in most critical habitats by year five and overall doubling by 2022; critical tiger habitats becoming inviolate and protected areas professionally managed; significant reduction in poaching and illegal trade and trafficking along with decreased illicit demand for tiger body parts and derivatives; consistent monitoring in place; and economic valuation of all tiger landscapes completed as a basis for sustainable financing. The GTRP is the last best hope for tigers. Wild tigers are at a tipping point and action, or inaction, in the coming decade will decide their fate. Action will lead to the tiger’s recovery; inaction or mere maintenance of the status quo will lead to its extinction. The GTRP represents the last best hope for the survival of the world’s most magnificent species and the conservation of the valuable landscapes in which it lives. Details: Washington, DC: World Bank, 2011. 70p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 25, 2013 at: http://www.globaltigerinitiative.org/download/St_Petersburg/GTRP_Nov11_Final_Version_Eng.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.globaltigerinitiative.org/download/St_Petersburg/GTRP_Nov11_Final_Version_Eng.pdf Shelf Number: 128118 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeTigersWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Altherr, Sandra Title: Canapés to Extinction: The international trade in frogs’ legs and its ecological impact Summary: In some regions of India, frogs are called “jumping chickens,” as their taste is similar to chicken. Their palatability to humans is why billions of frogs are consumed annually. In many countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America frogs are collected for subsistence or local consumption. Some of these same countries are engaged in the commercial trade of frogs and frog products— including frogs’ legs—supplying markets in the European Union (EU) and the United States of America (USA), where native frog populations have been seriously depleted (Mohneke 2011, Lannoo et al. 1994). While frog farming plays an increasing role in meeting the global demand for frogs’ legs, in several countries millions of frogs are still taken from the wild to satisfy international demand. The exploitation of wild frogs to sustain this trade mainly focuses on larger-bodied species of the family Ranidae, such as the Asian brackish frog (Fejervarya cancrivora) and giant Javan frog (Limnonectes macrodon, formerly Rana macrodon). Some experts warn that even for common, fast-growing and fecund amphibian species, present levels of exploitation may be far from sustainable (Mohneke 2011, Bickford pers. comm. 2010, Lau et al. 2008). Within the last 20 years, Indonesia has become the world’s leading exporter of frogs’ legs, followed by China, Taiwan. The present report gives an overview of recent developments, trends, and the impacts of the frogs’ legs trade since the 1980s. The role of the EU and the USA as the main consumer markets is documented. During the last decade the EU imported an annual mean volume of 4,600 tonnes of frogs’ legs. With 84% of total imports, Indonesia is by far the leading supplier for the EU market (with the vast majority of those frogs being wild-caught). Belgium, France and the Netherlands are the main importers within the EU (see Section 3.1). In recent years, the USA has been annually importing on average 2,280 tonnes of frogs’ legs of the species Rana spp. Almost the same volume of live frogs (2,216 tonnes)—mainly American bullfrogs—is imported by the USA to supply the Asian-American market (see Section 3.2). The report recommends measures exporting and importing countries should take to reduce the extreme burden on wild frog populations as well as avoid other ecosystem risks within both range states and importing countries. Details: Munich, Germany: Pro Wildlife; Washington, DC: Defenders of Wildlife and Animal Welfare Institute, 2011. Source: Year: 2011 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 128133 Keywords: Frog's LegsIllegal Wildlife TradeWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Thornhill, Daniel J. Title: Ecological Impacts and Practices of the Coral Reef Wildlife Trade Summary: It is estimated that 14–30 million fish, 1.5 million live stony corals, 4 million pounds of coral skeleton, 65–110 thousand pounds of red and black coral, and 9–10 million other invertebrates are removed each year from ecosystems across the world to supply the aquarium, curio/home décor, and coral jewelry industries. This trade has a collective annual value estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars, and involves over 45 source countries. This report examines the ecological impacts and practices associated with the ornamental trade in coral reef wildlife, including a lack of monitoring and regulation, illegal harvesting practices (including poaching and cyanide fishing), and a sizeable black market for reef-dwelling organisms. Over-collection of coral reef wildlife can potentially cause far-reaching consequences for coral reef ecosystems, disrupting trophic webs and removing creatures that play important roles in the reef. The combined effects of collection could weaken coral reefs, making them less able to respond to the larger threatsthat imperil these ecosystems globally, like climate change and ocean acidification. Details: Washington, DC: Defenders of Wildlife, 2012. 174p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 26, 2013 at: http://www.defenders.org/sites/default/files/publications/ecological-impacts-and-practices-of-the-coral-reef-wildlife-trade.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.defenders.org/sites/default/files/publications/ecological-impacts-and-practices-of-the-coral-reef-wildlife-trade.pdf Shelf Number: 128134 Keywords: Coral ReefsIllegal Wildlife TradeNatural ResourcesWildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes |
Author: Environmental Investigation Agency Title: Stop Stimulating Demand: Discussion of ivory trade mechanism may itself spur consumer-demand & poaching Summary: The campaigning Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) is calling on international policy-makers to Stop Stimulating Demand for critically endangered species. THE determination by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to develop a decision-making mechanism (DMM) for a process of future trade in ivory was adopted in 2007 before the escalation of the current crisis facing elephant populations across most of their range. Having started a year later in 2008, this process is now taking place against a backdrop of the highest levels of poaching and illegal ivory trade for decades and is set to con-tinue unless urgent action is taken by the 16th Meeting of the Confer-ence of the Parties to CITES (CoP16) in March 2013. Details: London: EIA, 2013. 4p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 28, 2013 at: http://www.eia-international.org/wp-content/uploads/Ivory-trade-mechanism-briefing-FINAL.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Africa URL: http://www.eia-international.org/wp-content/uploads/Ivory-trade-mechanism-briefing-FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 128159 Keywords: Animal PoachingElephantsIllegal Ivory TradeWildlife Crimes |
Author: Morgera, Elisa Title: Wildlife Law and the Empowerment of the Poor Summary: There is a wide variety of interests to be balanced in wildlife management. These interests range from the conservation of biodiversity and specific endangered species and their habitats, to valuable opportunities in ecotourism or hunting tourism, to the needs and traditions of the local population relating to hunting and collection of animals or their product for cultural/religious practices. Although revenues from the wildlife sector may be considered irrelevant as a contribution to the national gross domestic product, wildlife’s influence on local economies can be significant. Some rural communities see wildlife as a source of food. Some see wildlife habitat as potential timber or farmland. And some see wildlife hunting or ecotourism as a source of cash. Good laws can provide a framework for good wildlife management. An appropriate legal framework can conserve wildlife while reducing poverty and increasing food security. Enacting effective legal reforms, though, remains challenging. In 2007–2008, FAO and the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) reviewed legislation on wildlife management in Western and Central Asia. This review launched a regional dialogue on international obligations and standards on wildlife management, based on current challenges at national and regional levels. This regional initiative led to a set of design principles on how to develop effective national legislation on sustainable wildlife management (available at www.fao.org/legal). These principles sought to provide tools for the analysis of existing legal frameworks, as well as provide guidance for developing new legislation based on international standards and best practices. In addition, the principles aim to help decision-makers, legal drafters and resource managers to understand wildlife legislation, engage in participatory and interdisciplinary legislative drafting, and use legislation to support sustainable wildlife management for the empowerment of the poor and environmental sustainability. In 2009, FAO undertook to further refine these principles, taking into account the challenges faced and lessons learnt by wildlife legislators in other regions of the world. To this end, a series of regional studies examined the legislation of selected countries in Africa, Latin America, South-east Asia and Oceania.1 These studies analysed laws concerning wildlife tenure (ownership and use rights and obligations, links with land and forest tenure), public participation in wildlife decision-making and planning, and community-based wildlife management. The purpose was to identify legal tools that allow disadvantaged people to directly benefit from wildlife management, thereby improving food security, alleviating poverty, enhancing rural livelihoods and ultimately contributing to the legal empowerment of the poor.2 The studies also considered the strengths and weaknesses of current legal frameworks in promoting environmental sustainability and socio-economic development. The present study synthesizes and analyses the findings of the abovementioned regional legal reviews, identifies current trends and shortcomings, and singles out innovative legal solutions. On this basis, it also refines the design principles to develop effective national legislation on sustainable wildlife management, emphasizing the legal tools that empower the poor, particularly local and indigenous communities. Details: Rome: Development Law Service, FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) Legal Office, 2010. 340p. Source: Internet Resource: FAO Legislative Study 103: Accessed March 30, 2013 at: http://www.fao.org/docrep/013/i1906e/i1906e00.pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.fao.org/docrep/013/i1906e/i1906e00.pdf Shelf Number: 128176 Keywords: BiodiversityWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Law (International)Wildlife Management |
Author: Cirelli, Maria Teresa Title: Wildlife Law in the Southern African Development Community Summary: There is a wide variety of interests to be balanced in wildlife management. These interests range from the conservation of biodiversity and specific endangered species and their habitats, to control of human-wildlife conflicts, the creation of valuable opportunities in eco-tourism or hunting tourism in response to the needs and respect of the traditions of local populations depending on hunting and other wildlife uses. As a consequence, the enactment of effective legal frameworks for sustainable wildlife management, which are able to contribute to poverty reduction and food security and at the same time protect wild animals, is a challenging task. Since 2007, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) have launched an international dialogue on obligations and standards on wildlife management, with a focus on instruments for the legal empowerment of the poor. The initiative started with a review of the relevant legislation Western and Central Asia, which led to the publication of a set of principles on how to develop effective national legislation on sustainable wildlife management (www.fao.org/Legal/prs-ol/lpo75.pdf). A series of studies on the wildlife legislation in other regions of the world, also published on the FAO website, followed (http://www.fao.org/Legal/prs-ol/paper-e.htm). Two of these studies concern altogether twenty-seven countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper draws upon the information contained in those studies, focusing on SADC countries. Some warnings must preliminarily be given regarding the analysis that has been carried out in the studies. Although efforts have been made to ensure the completeness of the legal research, some existing legal instruments may be missing, because they were not identified or not accessible. Another inherent limitation of desk reviews of legislation is that critical information which generally rests beyond the legal texts may not be available. An adequate evaluation of legal frameworks should involve consideration many factors, such as overall government objectives and their degree of implementation (e.g., decentralization), existing administrative practices at various territorial levels and their effectiveness, experience in the implementation of existing legislation (e.g., provisions which have remained dead letter, procedures which are bypassed in practice), local customs, public perception of the role of law and authority, economic and social needs, and gender issues. This type of analysis has obviously not been possible for all countries. Part I of this paper starts with an overview of the international legal instruments related to wildlife management, including those adopted at the regional level (Part I, chapter 1). The following chapter focuses on selected themes (institutions and other stakeholders, tenure arrangements, management planning, conservation and utilization), commenting on some of the legal trends identified through country studies, including good practices as well as gaps and contradictions that have emerged (Part I, chapter 2). Common trends are then analyzed, and accompanied with suggestions for the drafting of legal provisions that may help in ensuring that sustainable wildlife management benefits the most vulnerable members of society, in particular indigenous and local communities (Part I, chapter 3). An overview of the legal framework applicable to wild animals in each of the fifteen SADC countries is presented in Part II. The presentation describes the relevant provisions that are currently in place, whether they are included in legal instruments exclusively concerning wildlife or in legislation addressing related subjects, such as environment, protected areas or forestry. Details: Budapest: International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation; Rome: FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2010. 136p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 30, 2013 at: http://www.cic-wildlife.org/fileadmin/Press/Technical_Series/EN/9.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Africa URL: http://www.cic-wildlife.org/fileadmin/Press/Technical_Series/EN/9.pdf Shelf Number: 128180 Keywords: Wildlaw LawsWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management (Southern Africa)Wildlife Trade |
Author: International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Title: Caught in the Web: Wildlife Trade on the Internet Summary: The Internet has revolutionised our lives and opened up huge opportunities for doing business and communicating. However, it also provides increased opportunities for the unscrupulous or the criminal to operate, taking advantage of the unregulated and impersonal nature of transactions. The trade, both legal and illegal, in live and dead animals (including body parts) is increasing and the Internet is coming to play a central role in the activities of illegal traders. This trade has devastating implications for both wildlife conservation and animal welfare. Whole species risk being wiped out by over-exploitation. Millions of animals caught up in the trade suffer immensely and many die, resulting in yet more being taken from the wild. For this report, IFAW UK monitored the nature and scale of wildlife trade on the Internet over several months. We found that, each week, thousands of animals and animal parts – from live primates to stuffed polar bears, from giant ivory tusks to tiny dried seahorses – are being offered for sale on the Internet. IFAW found a shocking array of species for sale in which all commercial trade is legally prohibited or strictly regulated. Within an intensive one week survey, we found over 9,000 wild animal products and specimens and live wild animals for sale, predominantly from species protected by law. A further 122 traders were identified, each advertising an unspecified number of items – often in sizeable quantities. Our survey was limited to certain species and products, so the figures cited here represent only the tip of the iceberg of Internet trade in protected species. Illegal wildlife trade is now an arrestable offence in the UK and some aspects of the trade are classified as serious and organised crime. However, the increasing use of the Internet to organise illegal wildlife trade poses new challenges to legislators and enforcement agencies. The Government, the intelligence service and other enforcement agencies in the UK have recognised the problem and have already devoted resources to tackling it, although these are insufficient to deal with the apparent scale of the trade. Even establishing the actual scale of wildlife crime is complicated by the lack of truly reliable data and this is particularly the case in relation to Internet trade. A series of reports have called for a better understanding of how much illegal trading is organised over the Internet to assist in taking concerted action to disrupt criminal activity. The legal framework that applies to Internet trade in wildlife, including live animals, spans national, regional and international legislation relating to endangered species, animal welfare and Internet trading. Contemporary international law has fallen behind in its consideration of commercial Internet activity. Specific laws to combat abuses are not yet well developed at the international level, although there is a recognition that concerted action is best taken globally. Some individuals are taking advantage of this situation to perpetrate illegal wildlife trade. Whether or not traders are aware that they are breaking the law, the negative impact on endangered species and on the welfare of individual animals is the same. However, it is also currently far too difficult for those buyers and sellers wishing to act within the law to check what can be legally sold or to report suspect items. The information that is available is often inadequate and difficult to access. Auction sites on which wildlife is traded have taken very limited voluntary action to inform users or to facilitate reporting of potentially illegal wildlife items. The lack of information available on auction sites may be in part a consequence of the lack of gravity accorded to wildlife crime in general. This situation must be remedied urgently through statutory regulation. Attempts have been made to address the use of the Internet to commit or facilitate other types of crime. This report considers options for regulation and enforcement that have been applied in the areas of child pornography, online pharmacies and defamation. These provide valuable models for more effective and relevant regulation of wildlife trade. Good cooperation between enforcement agencies, both nationally and internationally, has delivered notable successes. Explicit campaigns enabling and encouraging users to report instances of ‘suspect’ material posted allow enforcement authorities to gain a far wider reach. International organisations have identified the need for closer connections between international law and domestic laws to further a more effective response to the diverting of drugs via Internet pharmacies. Better inter-agency cooperation and a better coordinated response from legislators would be useful in the fight against illegal wildlife trade organised on the Internet. Details: London: IFAW, 2005. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: March 15, 2019 at: https://s3.amazonaws.com/ifaw-pantheon/sites/default/files/legacy/Report%202005%20Caught%20in%20the%20web%20UK.pdf Year: 2005 Country: International URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/ifaw-pantheon/sites/default/files/legacy/Report%202005%20Caught%20in%20the%20web%20UK.pdf Shelf Number: 128198 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeInternet CrimesWildlife Crimes |
Author: Raine, Andre F. Title: The International Impact of Hunting and Trapping in the Maltese Islands Summary: Ring recoveries were used to analyse the international importance of Malta’s position along one of the main European-African bird migration routes. International ring recoveries came from 1,188 individuals, representing 120 species. Birds from a total of 48 countries, 36 in Europe and 12 in Africa, were found to pass over Malta during spring and autumn migration. Birds that had been ringed overseas and shot by hunters in Malta were analysed separately. Ring recoveries from a total of 75 species, representing 35 countries, were found to have been killed in Malta. The majority of these ring recoveries came from protected, non-huntable species, with a significant proportion being Annex 1 species the EU Birds Directive. It was also found that a large proportion of these recoveries were of birds of prey that had been ringed as nestlings, further highlighting the impact of illegal hunting on conservation efforts throughout Europe. Ring recoveries for six of the seven main trappable finch species were also analysed separately. These came from 19 countries, with the majority of ring recoveries being from birds trapped by trappers and not released. Finally, the issue of spring hunting was investigated by considering ring recoveries of Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) and Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix). This analysis showed that these species originate from key countries within Europe and not from the entire European population. By analysing ring recoveries, this study has demonstrated the key importance of Malta on one of the main European-African migratory flyways and the international impact of hunting and trapping activities in the country. Details: Ta’Xbiex, Malta: BirdLife Malta, 2007. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 3, 2013 at: http://www.birdlifemalta.org/photos/otherfiles/206.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Malta URL: http://www.birdlifemalta.org/photos/otherfiles/206.pdf Shelf Number: 128200 Keywords: BirdsIllegal Hunting (Malta)Wildlife Crimes |
Author: INTERPOL Environmental Crime Programme Title: Project Web: An Investigation Into the Ivory Trade Over the Internet Within the European Union Summary: INTERPOL’s Project Web was launched following studies by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), which concluded that elephant ivory is the most widely traded wildlife product over the Internet. Project Web is intended to provide an initial snapshot and insight from a law enforcement perspective into the drivers, scale, nature, and involved entities of the illegal trade in ivory over the Internet. Over a period of two weeks, ten participating countries from the European Union (EU) conducted surveillance of their national auction sites to identify advertisements for ivory items. The details of 660 advertisements on 61 auction sites were analysed and estimated to have a total volume of around 4,500 kilograms of ivory and a total value of approximately EUR 1,450,000. Through analysis of its two week Internet surveillance data, Project Web found that ivory is predominantly sold by individuals residing in the country where they are selling the item, although a number of advertisements did have international links. Enforcement data from other sources was also analysed, but often could only provide a limited representative picture of the total volume of ivory illegally imported into the EU. In particular, Project Web identified through customs seizure analysis that the majority of ivory sold was in the form of worked items shipped from mainly four African countries. The ivory was predominantly traded through EU countries, with Asia as the destination. However, three EU countries and North America were also identified as common final destinations. The report also demonstrated that the enforcement of this electronic trade is in its infancy and presents new challenges. Few Internet companies have policies governing the sale of ivory, and those that do have weaknesses in enforcing their own regulations. Law enforcement participants also identified a lack of legislation as a weakness, specifically that governing the Internet trade of ivory and other wildlife products, and cited a lack of prioritisation at departmental and political levels. This can lead to the combination of a strongly profit driven illicit market with little risk of detection or prosecution. While Project Web demonstrates that the Internet is being used in the ivory trade, the extent to which the Internet is an important medium in the illegal trade cannot be conclusively determined with the existing legislation and available data. However, it is clear that specially adapted legislation and strong collaboration with customs is needed to further investigate this crime type, in order to determine the scale and nature of the illegal trade so that appropriate enforcement measures can be taken against it. To this end, the Project Web report also includes a number of recommendations to improve responses to the illegal trade of wildlife products online. Details: Washington, DC: International Fund for Animal Welfare, 2013. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 4, 2013 at: http://www.ifaw.org/sites/default/files/Project%20Web%20-%20PUBLIC.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.ifaw.org/sites/default/files/Project%20Web%20-%20PUBLIC.pdf Shelf Number: 128207 Keywords: Computer CrimesElephantsIllegal Wildlife TradeInternet CrimesIvoryWildlife Crimes |
Author: Banks, Debbie Title: Environmental Crime: A threat to our future Summary: Since its inception in 1984 the Environmental Investigation Agency has been exposing environmental crime around the globe and has sought greater political support for strong enforcement action against these crimes. Yet despite the fact that environmental crime poses a growing threat, it remains a low priority for the international enforcement community. This report shows the scale and impacts of environmental crime and calls for strong political will to tackle it as a matter of urgency. Environmental crimes can be broadly defined as illegal acts which directly harm the environment. They include: illegal trade in wildlife; smuggling of ozonedepleting substances (ODS); illicit trade in hazardous waste; illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing; and illegal logging and the associated trade in stolen timber. Perceived as ‘victimless’ and low on the priority list, such crimes often fail to prompt the required response from governments and the enforcement community. In reality, the impacts affect all of society. For example, illegal logging contributes to deforestation. It deprives forest communities of vital livelihoods, causes ecological problems like flooding, and is a major contributor to climate change – up to one-fifth of greenhouse gas emissions stem from deforestation. Illicit trade in ODS like the refrigerant chemicals chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), contributes to a thinning ozone layer, which causes human health problems like skin cancer and cataracts. Environmental crime generates tens of billions of dollars in profits for criminal enterprises every year, and it is growing. In part, this is due to the proliferation of international and regional environmental agreements, leading to more controls on a range of commodities. It is also due to mutations in the operations of criminal syndicates, which have been diversifying their operations into new areas like counterfeiting and environmental crime. Environmental crimes by their very nature are trans-boundary and involve cross-border criminal syndicates. A tiger skin or an ivory tusk passes through many hands from the poaching site to the final buyer. A tree felled illegally can travel around the world from the forest via the factory to be sold on the market as a finished wood product. In the era of global free trade, the ease of communication and movement of goods and money facilitate the operations of groups involved in environmental crime. The development of statutory enforcement agencies has struggled to keep pace with such change, and issues such as jurisdiction restrict efforts to foster better cross-border cooperation against crimes like illegal logging. These factors lead to a situation where environmental crimes offer high profits and minimal risk. It is time for the international community to wake-up to the menace of environmental crime and show the necessary political will to tackle the criminal gangs plundering our planet for a quick profit. Details: London: Environmental Investigation Agency, 2008. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 9, 2013 at: http://www.unodc.org/documents/NGO/EIA_Ecocrime_report_0908_final_draft_low.pdf Year: 2008 Country: International URL: http://www.unodc.org/documents/NGO/EIA_Ecocrime_report_0908_final_draft_low.pdf Shelf Number: 128333 Keywords: Environmental CrimesHazardous WastesIllegal FishingIllegal LoggingOffenses Against the EnvironmentWildlife Crimes |
Author: Caillabet, Olivier S. Title: The Trade in Tokay Geckos Gekko gecko in South-East Asia: with a case study on Novel Medicinal Claims in Peninsular Malaysia Summary: South-east Asia is rich in biodiversity. It is also a global hub for wildlife trade, both as a source and as a consumer. Wildlife trade, for use in Traditional Medicine (TM), as pets and for food, poses a significant threat to the conservation of many species in the region. The Tokay Gecko Gekko gecko is one such species potentially threatened by trade. This species is found throughout South-east Asia in both urban and naturally forested environments. It has been traded for traditional medicine for hundreds of years and more recently as a pet, mainly to the EU and North America. In 2009 a novel trade emerged in Tokay Geckos Gekko gecko reportedly as a cure for HIV/AIDS. This trade spread throughout South-East Asia with a demand purportedly centred on Peninsular Malaysia. In late 2011, TRAFFIC was granted funding by WWF and Wildlife Reserves Singapore to investigate the trade related to Novel Medicinal Claims (NMCs) in late 2011 in Peninsular Malaysia and the wider trade in South-east Asia for TM. The aims of the study were to substantiate some of the claims surrounding NMCs; highlight the trade routes and trade hotspots for targeted enforcement action and; provide a regional overview of the trade through a desk top study and provide data to support a CITES Appendix II listing for this species. Informal interviews were held with private dealers and pet shops/aquaria selling Tokay Geckos throughout the peninsula. Nineteen dealers were interviewed and more than 250 Tokay Geckos were observed for sale. Several questions surrounding the recent Tokay Gecko trade spike for NMCs remain unanswered, however; following this study, some of the claims can be substantiated. There is no evidence to support the claims of an HIV/AIDS cure. Interviews with dealers in Peninsular Malaysia indicate that considerable sums of money have been paid, in particular, for large individuals weighing over 300 g. Several dealers stated that Tokay Geckos weighing over 400 g are valued above USD 1 000 000, however; TRAFFIC does not believe these claims to be true. The significance of this weight-price threshold is unclear. Price data gathered during this study are inconsistent with claims that heavier individuals are more valuable. Additionally, it is doubtful that Tokay Geckos can naturally reach 400 g. This is the likely reason why some dealers are said to have artificially augmented the weight using silicone or metal pieces. There is no evidence that such huge sums of money, as claimed by dealers in Peninsular Malaysia, have been paid for Tokay Geckos weighing over 400 g. TRAFFIC does not believe that these statements are credible. The motivations for dealers to make these claims are not known though it has previously been suggested that it could be part of an elaborate hoax. To what end, however, is not clear. Based on interviews with Tokay Gecko dealers and seizure records, the trade in Tokay Geckos for NMCs appears to have begun around late 2009 and peaked in 2010/2011. This trade now appears to be in decline. The reasons for this are unclear but could be related to a combination of improved enforcement, realisation among consumers that NMCs are unfounded or the prevalence of scams, as reported by Tokay Gecko dealers and in the media. Results of surveys and interviews with dealers suggest that the online trade in this species is populated by fake sellers. Additionally, private dealers interviewed highlighted that the trade in this species, particularly in Thailand, is dangerous and often involves robberies and hold-ups. Tokay Geckos traded in Peninsular Malaysia for NMCs appear to be originating in Thailand, as well as in Lao PDR and Myanmar. They are harvested from the wild and transported overland to Malaysia. Seizure records indicate that the Philippines is also an important origin for Tokay Geckos traded for NMCs in Peninsular Malaysia, however; no Tokay Geckos from the Philippines were encountered during field surveys. The more prominent Tokay Gecko dealers in Peninsular Malaysia appear to be concentrated close to the Thai border and also to be the source of Tokay Geckos entering the country. According to dealers interviewed during surveys, the primary consumers of Tokay Geckos for NMCs appear to be Singaporeans and local Malaysians. Some even claim use of Tokay Geckos by Europeans and North Americans for medical research. Tokay Geckos were openly sold in 11 pet shops/aquariums across the peninsula. This can be attributed to lax enforcement; however, interviews with pet shop/aquarium staff, as well as information gathered from private dealers, also suggest that there is a lack of awareness of the national law pertaining to the trade in Tokay Geckos. Several private dealers encountered during surveys had licences issued from local Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) (Malay acronym “PERHILITAN”) offices allowing them to trade in Tokay Geckos. However, according to PERHILITAN’s head of enforcement, no licences to trade in Tokay Geckos have ever been issued. Given the system in place, whereby state offices report permits issued to the PERHILITAN head office, this observation is surprising and potentially indicative of a miscommunication/lack of coordination between PERHILITAN headquarters and state offices. The trade in Tokay Geckos for NMCs is reported to have led to localised population declines of wild Tokay Geckos in Bangladesh. Regionally, however, the scale of this trade, in terms of numbers of individual Tokay Geckos removed from the wild, appears to be relatively small. This contrasts directly with the trade in Tokay Geckos for TM. The international trade in Tokay Geckos for TM is colossal. The vast majority of Tokay Geckos traded for TM originate from Thailand and Java, Indonesia. Customs import data show that Taiwan has imported ~15 000 000 Tokay Geckos since 2004, 71% of which were imported from Thailand with the remainder mostly coming from Indonesia. While this trade appears to be legal but unregulated in Thailand, the trade in Tokay Geckos from Java appears to be entirely illegal. It is important to note that Taiwan is not the sole consumer of Tokay Geckos for TM. A seizure in 2011 bound for Hong Kong from Indonesia is estimated to have consisted of 1 200 000 dried Tokay Geckos. Aside from Taiwan and Hong Kong, large quantities of Tokay Geckos are also consumed for TM in mainland China and Viet Nam. The extent of this trade is unknown but thought to be substantial. Considerable volumes of Tokay Geckos are also traded beyond Asia: between 1998 and 2004, 8.5 tonnes of dried Tokay Geckos were imported into the USA. Taking this into consideration, it is reasonable to believe that the total trade in Tokay Geckos exceed the already substantial known trade. Tokay Geckos consumed for TM in Southeast Asia are mostly harvested from the wild. In mainland China and Viet Nam, Tokay Geckos are reportedly bred in captivity to supply the local TM trade; however, the production cannot meet demand. Despite the fact that Tokay Geckos have a large geographical distribution, have high reproductive rates and can thrive in human dominated landscapes, populations are still susceptible to over-harvesting. The trade for NMCs is relatively small and does not does not appear to pose a threat to the conservation of wild Tokay Geckos. However, as mentioned, the trade for TM is substantial and could likely threaten wild populations of Tokay Geckos. This is evidenced by the reported declines of wild populations in Thailand and Java, as well as the past deterioration of populations in mainland China, Given the substantial volume of international trade in this species and the observed population declines, questions surround the legality and future sustainability of the Tokay Gecko trade, particularly for use in TM. Details: Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, 2013. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 16, 2013 at: Year: 2013 Country: Malaysia URL: Shelf Number: 128379 Keywords: BiodiversityGeckosIllegal Wildlife Trade (Malaysia)Wild Animal TradeWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Lowther, Jason Title: Crime and Punishment in the Wildlife Trade Summary: The attitude of the UKs legal system towards the ever-increasing illegal wildlife trade is inconsistent. It does not adequately reflect the nature and impact of the crimes, and it is erratic in its response. The result is that the courts perceive wildlife crime as low priority, even though it is on the increase. Having said that, there are positive indications that change is taking place, thanks largely to increased political awareness of environmental issues, and increased lobbying by nongovernmental organisations. The United Kingdoms laws regulating the trade in wildlife reflect a tripartite system of control encompassing international, European Community (EC) and our own domestic legislation. Within each tier is the potential for difference in implementation, and while the EC is a strong centralising force, for the member states there remain discrepancies in implementation and practice. While the UK has a legislative framework that is generally supportive of the fight against wildlife trade crime, it lacks effectiveness in some areas because it allows the imposition of low penalties in the majority of prosecuted cases. Not only that, but there are also only limited provisions for joined-up working between the principal agencies involved in bringing such cases to court. This relative ineffectiveness does not derive from lack of effort on the part of the enforcing authorities, but rather by laws which, in theory and in practice, do not provide an appropriate deterrent to offenders. There is an apparent lack of seriousness attached to wildlife trade offences. This is surprising, given the potentially high rewards at stake for very little risk of detection and penalty, and because of the seriousness of their impact on species sustainability. Issues of seriousness and tolerance need to be examined, so that public and judicial attitudes towards such offences can be re-shaped. One response to this challenge would be to make offences under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997 (COTES) arrestable. This change in the law would give the police increased powers and would enable enforcement agencies to take more effective action against wildlife criminals. At the same time it would rightfully acknowledge the seriousness of the illegal trade itself. This would not be out of line with offences committed under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (CEMA) which are arrestable: indeed, it would incorporate an element of certainty into the law that is at present missing. Compared with other jurisdictions, the UK has a relatively well-developed system of laws. However, it does not compare favourably with the US, where custodial sentences are often imposed for wildlife trade offences and levels of fines are higher. The UK has the potential to impose higher penalties, but chooses not to. Now, our membership of the EU and the free market without borders offers important opportunities to frame effective law, but presents a challenge in terms of greater internal control. The illegal wildlife trade has immeasurable impacts that can potentially affect biodiversity through the loss of endangered species. These impacts are not adequately taken into account by the courts when cases are prosecuted. One way of addressing this would be to develop and issue effective sentencing guidelines. At present, no specialised guidance or awareness training is given to judges or magistrates, many of whom will rarely come across wildlife trade offences because prosecutions are so infrequent. In addition, the present system of precedent-based guidance in the UK is insufficient, given the very few cases that reach the higher courts It would therefore be useful for those who impose sentences to have guidelines at their disposal. These could be along the lines of those already developed for certain environmental offences, such as water pollution, where issues affect human quality of life. These have succeeded in raising the perception of the seriousness of environmental offences, and there is no reason why similar guidelines may not be successful in relation to wildlife trade offences. Overall, there are varying and inconsistent approaches to the law by enforcement and other agencies, as there are in terms of the imposition of penalties for illegal wildlife trade. This raises doubts about any deterrent value. Of course, the fear of a severe penalty is not a sufficient deterrent in itself the potential offender must realise at the outset that there is a certainty of detection and arrest, and that the authorities will prosecute. At present, this is unlikely. The risks that wildlife offenders take are minimal, and the rewards extremely high, when balanced against the chance of getting caught and the likely penalty that would be imposed. Details: Godalming, Surrey, UK: World Wildlife Fund - UK, The Species Programme, 2002. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 17, 2013 at: http://www.wwf.org.uk/filelibrary/pdf/crime_and_punishment.pdf Year: 2002 Country: International URL: http://www.wwf.org.uk/filelibrary/pdf/crime_and_punishment.pdf Shelf Number: 111723 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Theile, Stephanie Title: Fading Footprints: The Killing and Trade of Snow Leopards Summary: Snow Leopards, in a genus of their own, are endangered big cats. They inhabit rugged, mountainous terrain, in 12 range States - Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. There are regional differences in prey, but the cats’ natural prey includes ungulates and rodents. The global population of Snow Leopards is estimated to be between about 4000 and 7000, but sharp declines in populations have been reported over the past decade from parts of the species’s range. High levels of hunting for the animals’ skins and for live animals, for zoos, during the last century contributed to the species’s endangered status and, from the 1970s, legal measures were taken for its protection. In 1975, the species was listed in Appendix I of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora) and in 1985 it became an Appendix-I species of the Convention of Migratory Species. It has been accorded nation-wide legal protection in almost every range State, in some cases since the 1970s. In spite of such provision, Snow Leopards have been hunted during the 1990s in numbers as high as at any time in the past and this killing continues in the present century. Several factors are adversely affecting Snow Leopards throughout their range. These factors show regional variation and are sometimes inter-connected. The picture that emerges shows that the species is menaced primarily by direct, intentional killing and loss of wild prey, with habitat fragmentation and accidental trapping or poisoning as secondary threats. Direct killing of Snow Leopards is driven by two main objectives: the desire to protect domestic livestock from predating cats and the desire to trade in the animal or its parts, but the two objectives cannot always be separated entirely. The cost of livestock loss can be very great and herders are often driven to kill Snow Leopards, either following an attack on livestock, or to prevent future attacks. However, herders are likely to try and sell Snow Leopard parts whenever the opportunity arises, so that, even where trade was not the primary incentive for killing, it is usually the end result. Generally speaking, conflict with herders is seen as the main threat to Snow Leopards in the Himalayan region of their range and in the Karakorum and Hindu Kush mountains, while killing for trade is the prominent threat in the central Asian region and northern part of the species’s range - in the Chinese Altai and Tien Shan mountains, Mongolia and the Russian Federation. There are indications that both types of threat - that resulting from conflict with herders and that arising from the incentive to trade in Snow Leopard body parts - have increased in recent years. Loss of natural prey is a threat to the species throughout its range, sometimes caused by competition for grazing with domestic livestock or by unmanaged hunting by humans. These pressures on wild prey can drive Snow Leopards to seek alternative prey among domestic stock, and so lead to resentment and killing of the cats by herders. These threats have been the subject of extensive study and this report draws on the findings of such research. Additionally, original surveys of trade in Snow Leopards, were conducted, especially for this project, in Mongolia and Pakistan, and information was collected by consultants in India and the Russian Federation during 2002. The results clearly show that Snow Leopards and their parts are traded in all range States, with the possible exception of Bhutan. In the large majority of cases, this trade is illegal. Details: Cambridge, UK: TRAFFIC International, 2003. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 17, 2013 at: http://www.wwf.de/fileadmin/fm-wwf/Publikationen-PDF/report_schneeleopard_03.pdf Year: 2003 Country: United States URL: http://www.wwf.de/fileadmin/fm-wwf/Publikationen-PDF/report_schneeleopard_03.pdf Shelf Number: 128390 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeSnow LeopardsWildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes |
Author: Santos, Anna Title: Do Wildlife Trade Bans Enhance or Undermine Conservation Efforts? Summary: The billion dollar businesses of both legal and illegal wildlife trade show little decline and continue to pose major threats to global biodiversity. Despite international wildlife trade bans such as the Appendix I listing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the illegal trade of wildlife undermines conservation efforts. Evidence has shown that Appendix I listing can inadvertently increase black market prices and trade of wildlife. However, examples of national scale bans combined with CITES restrictions can decrease wildlife trade activity. More collaboration and integrative measures between global, national and local institutions are needed to combat wildlife trade issues. Details: College Station, TX: Applied Biodiversity Science NSF‐IGERT, Texas A&M University, 2011. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 18, 2013 at: http://biodiversity.tamu.edu/files/2012/08/ABS_Perspectives-1_3_Santos_etal.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://biodiversity.tamu.edu/files/2012/08/ABS_Perspectives-1_3_Santos_etal.pdf Shelf Number: 128417 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeWildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes |
Author: Ahmed, Abrar Title: Live Bird Trade in Northern India Summary: In 1991, trade in live birds in India was totally banned in India. However, illegal activities have continued and it is alarming indeed that several endangered bird species are found in trade. TRAFFIC-India was set up in 1992. One of its priorities has been to undertake a countrywide survey of the bird trade in India and examine the ramification of the legal ban. This report is part of the detailed countrywide study. It accounts for more than 300 species, including some exotics, in trade. Details: New Delhi: TRAFFIC-India, 1997. 113p. Source: Accessed April 25, 2013 at: http://www.traffic.org/birds/ Year: 1997 Country: India URL: http://www.traffic.org/birds/ Shelf Number: 128499 Keywords: BirdsIllegal Wildlife Trade (India)Wildlife Crimes |
Author: Lee, K.S. Title: Wild Animal Trade Monitoring at Selected Markets in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, South China, 2000-2003. Summary: Despite the booming live wild animal trade in South China, very few long-term, systematic studies have been conducted in the main markets. There is also a need to update our knowledge given the dynamic nature of the wildlife trade and the changing status of the animals concerned. The present study was initiated and conducted under the South China Biodiversity Conservation Programme of Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden, with the aim to document the species composition, relative trade volume and conservation implications of the wild animal trade in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. The survey started in October 2000 and finished in March 2003. It focused on live, non-aquatic wild animals, i.e. mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, which were commonly traded for food and/ or pets in South China. Major wild animal markets and shops in Guangzhou and Shenzhen were surveyed twice a month from October to March, when food trade activity reaches its maximum. For the rest of the year, they were surveyed monthly. A wide range of animals was recorded, some in huge quantities (over 90,000 snakes and 24,000 turtles could be seen in one visit). The survey yielded 39 mammal species, 453 bird species, 154 reptile species and 31 amphibian species. A high proportion (59 species), particularly of turtles, were listed in the 2002 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: ten classified Critically Endangered, 19 Endangered and 30 Vulnerable. Many of them are CITES-listed (nine in Appendix I and 68 in Appendix II). Many nationally protected species in China were also traded: eight species in Category I of China's State Key Protected Wildlife List and 38 species in Category II. Besides wild-caught animals, captive-bred individuals (in particular mammals and turtles) constituted a fair proportion of the observed trade. Many of the animals traded were Chinese species or wide-ranging East Asian species. However, in the food and pet turtle trade, a large proportion of animals were imported from other countries. The species traded overlap fairly extensively with those reported in past studies with the exception of the food turtle trade. Large river turtles from Southeast Asia (such as Batagur baska, Callagur borneoensi sand Orlitia borneens)i sand Burmese species (Morenia ocellat aand Lissemys scutat)a were common in the markets whereas they were practically absent eight years ago. This supports the belief that the trade in wild-caught food turtles is unsustainable and new sources are being sought to satisfy the demand. A drastic reduction in the volume and the size of animals traded occurred in some species (e.g. the water snake Enhydris bocour tfriom Southeast Asia) during the course of the survey, again indicating that the wild population of the species concerned has crashed due to over-exploitation. In July 2001, the Guangdong Provincial Government enacted the "Guangdong Wildlife Protection and Management Regulation" and "Major Protected Wildlife of Guangdong Regulation" to prohibit the trade of certain wildlife species. This measure seemed to have only a short-term impact and the trade resumed to the original level several months later. The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is thought by some experts to be linked to the wild animal markets. In view of the serious threat posed by the commercial wildlife trade to regional biodiversity and to public health, the recent decision made by the Guangdong authority to restrict the trade to 54 successfully captive-bred species is to be welcomed. Other provinces should adopt similar measures and the cross-border wild animal trade should be banned. Greater numbers of captive-bred animals, of more species, are being sold than before. This indicates commercial-scale production of wild animals in China has been successful for certain mammals, birds and turtles. However, there is an urgent need to improve the wellbeing of the animals and the hygiene of the whole process. It is recommended that efforts be made to investigate the extent and success of these captive-breeding farms in order to come up with practical measures to make them sustainable, hygienic and safe. The pet trade in South China is insignificant (apart from cage birds) but is growing. Also many threatened Chinese species are being exported for the international pet trade. Hence, continual monitoring is needed. Also the import of known invasives should be banned. The wellbeing of the pet animals and the hygiene of the pet markets also need to be improved. The wildlife trade is dynamic and has changed substantially since records were first made. Further monitoring is essential to detect any change and/or trend in the markets so as to provide a warning system. Moreover, such monitoring would function as an independent check on the effectiveness of legislation, regulations and enforcement actions. In the longer term, a concerted effort by all the conservation groups looking at different aspects of the wildlife trade in the region would be useful to document the real extent of this trade, its impacts on wild populations and its socio-economic importance. The chances of making the trade sustainable will be much higher when this information is available. Many threatened and/or protected species are traded in South China and this exploitation is one of the main threats to the biodiversity in the region. Very good legislation and regulations on the wildlife trade are already in place but enforcement actions tend to lag behind in China. Technical support should be provided whenever appropriate. Also the State Key Protected Wildlife List should be expanded to cover all known threatened species. Details: Hong Kong: Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, 2004. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 21, 2013 at: http://www.kfbg.org/content/71/18/1/Wild%20Animals%20ENG.pdf Year: 2004 Country: China URL: http://www.kfbg.org/content/71/18/1/Wild%20Animals%20ENG.pdf Shelf Number: 128767 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeWildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes |
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Title: Model Scheme on Port State Measures to Combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing Summary: This document contains the text of the Model Scheme on Port State Measures to Combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing. An FAO Expert Consultation to Review Port State Measures to Combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing was convened in 2002 with a view to facilitating the implementation of the 2001 FAO International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing. The Consultation focused its work on a paper entitled “Port State Control of Foreign Fishing Vessels”. Inter alia, it discussed elements that could be included in a regional memorandum of understanding (MOU) on port State measures to combat IUU fishing. The Consultation acknowledged that such a MOU could serve as an effective tool to enhance responsible fisheries management. Subsequently, in 2004, a FAO Technical Consultation to Review Port State Measures to Combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing was held. It was convened on the recommendation of the 2003 FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI). The Consultation addressed (i) substantive issues relating to the role of the port State in combating IUU fishing and (ii) principles and guidelines for the establishment of regional memoranda on port States measures. The Consultation approved a Model Scheme on Port State Measures to Combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing. COFI in 2005, in endorsing the report and recommendations of the 2004 Technical Consultation, agreed that follow-up work to the Consultation should be undertaken, especially with respect to operationalizing the Model Scheme. The Governments of Japan, Norway, Sweden and the United States of America contributed financially through the FAO FishCode Programme to the preparatory activities leading to the development and publication of the Model Scheme. Details: Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2007. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 22, 2013 at: ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/010/a0985t/a0985t00.pdf Year: 2007 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 128774 Keywords: Fishing IndustryIllegal FishingMaritime CrimesWildlife Crimes |
Author: Moyini, Yakobo Title: Opportunities and Strategies for Wildlife Trade Sector in Uganda Summary: Wildlife trade in Uganda was officially recognised as one of the wildlife use rights in the Wildlife Act (2000). The main institution charged with regulating wildlife trade is the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Uganda, as a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), has two other important authorities that regulate trade in wildlife. The Management Authority (MA) for CITES in Uganda is in the Ministry of Tourism Trade and Industry (MTTI), and the Technical Authority (TA) is the Uganda National Council of Science and Technology (UNCST). Internationally, wildlife trade is booming. The major exporters are largely from the Asian continent and they include: Malaysia, Singapore, China and others, while the major importers are the United States, the European Union and Japan. The international wildlife trade was valued at US$15 billion in 2001, excluding the trade in fish and timber, which are included in the mainstream economic activities usually under the agriculture sector for many countries, certainly for Uganda. In Uganda, wildlife trade largely consists of the trade in birds, amphibians and reptiles. Even though, trade in Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) occurs at a fair scale it is largely unregulated or monitored and the actual volume or value of trade in unknown. Regulated wildlife trade brings in less than US$ 3 million per year making the wildlife sector very small indeed as compared to even small components of the agricultural sector like cotton, which fetches US$ 16 million, and much smaller than tourism, which records over US$ 160 million. In fact, the Uganda Investment Authority has not indicated the wildlife sector as one of the key sectors for investment; except the commercial rearing of crocodiles, which again is considered under skins and hides another component of the agricultural sector (livestock products). Future opportunities for wildlife trade in Uganda lie in diversification into other commodities such as ornamental fish and NWFPs, and intensification (farming) of crocodiles, tortoises, birds, chameleons and others. However, the present challenges largely include: the limited human resource capacity among regulators of the industry and the traders and business service providers and business regulators (Uganda Revenue Authority and Uganda Export promotions Board and Uganda Investment Board and others); Infrastructure in Uganda is inadequate roads and poor electricity supply in several areas where wildlife farms could be located; Poor data management and monitoring of trade in some wildlife products especially NWFPs. In addition, the costs of operation in a landlocked country, where wildlife trade depends on air transport are rather high. However, there is an even stronger need that is to ensure that whatever the motivation and profitability of wildlife trade the standard of wildlife conservation has grown over the years should not be compromised. Details: Kampala, Uganda: Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry/United Nations Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD) Export Development Programme, 2011. 47p. Source: Internet Resource: Uganda Biotrade Programme: Accessed May 22, 2013 at: http://www.biotrade.org/ResourcesNewsAssess/Uganda_wildlife_opps_stategies.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Uganda URL: http://www.biotrade.org/ResourcesNewsAssess/Uganda_wildlife_opps_stategies.pdf Shelf Number: 128776 Keywords: Wildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Trade (Uganda) |
Author: Parkinson, Andrew M. Title: WCS 2008 Ulaanbaatar Wildlife Trade Survey: Report to the World Bank Summary: The objective of this study was to collect information about wildlife trade violations in Mongolia and to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the existing wildlife trade law enforcement system. The geographic focus of this work was Ulaanbaatar city “markets” and the raw materials markets around Ulaanbaatar. The purpose of these market surveys was not just to quantify the trade or identify the most active traders, markets, and transportation routes but to give us the understanding we need to develop a long-term strategy for preventing illegal wildlife trade in Mongolia. Ulaanbaatar is the seat of Mongolia’s government, media markets, and civil society, as well as the center of the wildlife trade. Some of the country’s largest raw materials markets are located to the east and west of the city; road inspection points, the train station, and the airport are all strategic sites for enforcing trade regulation. For these reasons, Ulaanbaatar is an ideal site for launching an effort to support improved enforcement of wildlife trade regulations. Details: New York: Wildlife Conservation Society, 2008. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 22, 2013 at: http://s3.amazonaws.com/WCSResources/file_20111006_162813_Ulaanbaatar+Wildlife+Trade+Survey-+Report+to+the+World+Bank_fVkhMV.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Mongolia URL: http://s3.amazonaws.com/WCSResources/file_20111006_162813_Ulaanbaatar+Wildlife+Trade+Survey-+Report+to+the+World+Bank_fVkhMV.pdf Shelf Number: 128777 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife Trade (Mongolia)Wildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes |
Author: Wingard, James R. Title: Silent Steppe: The Illegal Wildlife Trade Crisis in Mongolia Summary: The single greatest threat facing many species of wildlife across the world today is hunting for commercial wildlife trade. This publication reveals that the problem is not confined to tropical forest ecosystems, but that harvest levels are also vast and unsustainable in the temparate steppe and forests of Mongolia. Populations of both endangered and previously widespread species have declined dramatically. The wildlife trade is not only devastating Mongolia's biodiversity, but is also threatening rural livelihoods - Mongolia has approximately 245,000 hunters, one tenth of the total population. The fur trade alone contributes an estimated US$100 million to the economy, possibly the third largest contributor behind mining and tourism. The groundbreaking research presented in this report, which arose from a study led by the Wildlife Conservation Society, in cooperation with a variety of other NGOs, makes a strong case for addressing the problems associated with the wildlife trade in and from Mongolia; seeking solutions to conserve Mongolia’s unique and diverse wildlife community; and ensuring that rural livelihoods are sustainable and not tied to a dwindling resource base. The report reviews the history of wildlife trade in Mongolia; examines the current levels of take and trade through comprehensive surveys of hunters, trade chains and markets; investigates current wildlife management practices; and makes recommendations to improve wildlife management. Details: Washington, DC: The World Bank, 2006. 163p. Source: Internet Resource: Mongolia Discussion Papers, East Asia and Pacific Environment and Social Development Department; Accessed May 22, 2013 at: http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTEAPREGTOPENVIRONMENT/Resources/silent_steppe.pdf Year: 2006 Country: Mongolia URL: http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTEAPREGTOPENVIRONMENT/Resources/silent_steppe.pdf Shelf Number: 128778 Keywords: HuntingIllegal Wildlife Trade (Mongolia)Wildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes |
Author: Stiles, Margot L. Title: Stolen Seafood: The Impact of Pirate Fishing on Our Oceans Summary: Pirate fishing may be understood best by standing on the beach and gazing out to sea. Almost all crime at sea takes place beyond the horizon line, hidden from view. This vast wilderness is exploited not only for fish, but as a hiding place for criminal activities. Stolen fish are caught illegally, evading a wide range of safeguards to undercut the costs of doing business. Blatant violation of catch limits, gear restrictions and safety precautions are frequently carried out by a small fraction of fishermen, undermining the efforts of responsible fishing companies. The resulting damage to marine resources can lead to smaller catches, slowed recovery of depleted stocks or even collapse for the most vulnerable fisheries. Pirate, or illegal, fishing is often lumped together with unregulated and unreported fishing under the abbreviation “IUU.” Unregulated fishing takes place in nations that lack the resources to establish fisheries laws or monitoring. Some unreported fishing stems from a lack of scientific data collection, while other unreported catches conceal illegal activity. These three dimensions of illegal fishing are a major threat to the oceans, consumers and seafood businesses around the world. Details: Washington, DC: Oceana, 2013. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 25, 2013 at: http://oceana.org/sites/default/files/reports/Oceana_StolenSeafood.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://oceana.org/sites/default/files/reports/Oceana_StolenSeafood.pdf Shelf Number: 128825 Keywords: Fishing IndustryIllegal FishingMaritime CrimeNatural ResourcesPirate FishingWildlife Crimes |
Author: Scharf, Katie Title: Strategies for Enforcing Wildlife Trade Regulations in Ulaanbaatar- Mongolia Summary: This report reviews and recommends strategies to regulate the trade of wildlife through Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Ulaanbaatar is an ideal site to launch an effort to support improved enforcement of wildlife trade regulations. The city is the seat of Mongolia’s government, media markets, and civil society, as well as the center of the wildlife trade. Some of the country’s largest raw materials markets are located to the east and west of the city. Ulaanbaatar’s many road inspection points, its train station, and its airport are all strategic sites for enforcing trade regulation. A comprehensive — and sometimes internally contradictory — framework of “species-oriented” regulations provides different penalties and fines based on the species hunted. “Trade-oriented” regulations assign criminal or administrative liability for a limited range of market activities, including transport, export, and advertising of wildlife products. At the risk of repeating the efforts of a legislative gap analysis of wildlife-related regulation (recently completed for by Wingard & Odgerel in 2006), this report will not propose legal reforms, but will assess enforcement strategies available under the existing laws. Responsibility for enforcement of wildlife trade regulations is distributed among half a dozen different agencies. Inspectors (state and municipal), rangers, and customs officials enforce administrative penalties for minor violations. Criminal-level violations must be referred to the Mongolian National Police, who then turn cases over to the state General Prosecutor’s Office for prosecution in any of soum or aimag-level courts. Getting these different agencies to collaborate on investigations, share information, and harmonize confiscation procedures must be a major focus of any successful enforcement support strategy. After reviewing the existing legal framework and the present state of enforcement, this report will discuss specific recommendations for improving wildlife trade regulation enforcement. These include near-term measures (market surveys and “ride-alongs” with enforcement officials) to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the existing enforcement system. Public awareness strategies targeted towards Mongolians, foreign tourists, and tour operators are discussed, as well as the need for further legal research on the adjudication of wildlife crimes, and possible collaboration with Mongolian human rights lawyers, whose approach of monitoring mining-related litigation and petitioning to have cases reopened or reinstated could be applied successfully in the wildlife context. Recommended measures for improving inter-agency coordination include: establishing a database for enforcement information collection and sharing; publicizing the Mongolian State Specialized Inspection Agency’s *SSIA+ wildlife hotline; and creating a pocket guide to wildlife trade enforcement. The recommendations in this report build on prior research, including the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Silent Steppe report (2005), and a recent training session conducted for Mongolian customs and law enforcement officials by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service [USFWS] and TRAFFIC International (2006). Details: Washington, DC: The World Bank, 2009. 115p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 1, 2013 at: http://s3.amazonaws.com/WCSResources/file_20111006_161059_Strategies+for+enforcing+wildlife+trade+regulations+in+Ulaanbaatar-+Mongolia_BVSgF.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Mongolia URL: http://s3.amazonaws.com/WCSResources/file_20111006_161059_Strategies+for+enforcing+wildlife+trade+regulations+in+Ulaanbaatar-+Mongolia_BVSgF.pdf Shelf Number: 128906 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Law Enforcement |
Author: Bhattarai, Babu Ram Title: Human-Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) Conflict in Bardia National Park, Nepal Summary: Human-wildlife conflicts are common phenomena from the past and have become significant problems throughout the world. Big cats, which play a vital role in maintaining the ecosystem balance through prey-predator interaction, are now on the verge of extinction since they require large habitats, but much of their habitats have been fragmented and degraded. Therefore, frequent encounters with humans and their livestock have caused human-carnivore conflicts which result in retaliation killings. The high rate of human population growth and the successfully restored habitat in the community forests of Nepal have accelerated the conflicts due to the dispersal of tigers into these forests where they share these resources. This study aimed at exploring the human-tiger conflict in terms of livestock depredation, human casualties, retaliation killing and poaching of tigers and their prey base. It assessed the tiger conservation perceptions and tolerance level of the local people to losses caused by tigers and the roles of different stakeholders in tiger conservation through mitigating human-tiger conflict. It explored strategies of conflict reduction for tiger conservation. The study was conducted in six Buffer Zone User Committees of The Bardia National Park, Nepal. I interviewed 273 heads of household, 10 nature guides, eight BZUC presidents, nine protected area managers and two local government representatives from March to May of 2009. The average livestock holding among the respondent households was found to be 6.70 head of animals per household and the depredation rate due to tigers was 0.25 head per household per year. The consequential result was a 6% loss of stock over the past three years. The less-prey density area was associated with a high livestock depredation rate for cows/oxen and goats/sheep. Twelve people were killed and four injured in tiger attacks between 1994 and 2007. The perception relative to tiger conservation was found to be positive and people could tolerate the loss of livestock to some extent but not human loss or casualties. Six tigers were released from the habitat due to human-tiger conflict in between 1989 and April 2009. The interview results demonstrated that the tigers were killed primarily for trade of its body parts. Half of the respondents suggested tigers should be conserved in the national parks and reserves. The livestock grazing and human intrusion into tiger habitat and poor husbandry are causes of conflict. Conservation education along with adequate and prompt compensation against damages and regular monitoring of tigers may help to reduce human-tiger conflicts. As well, functional coordination between all stakeholders is recommended to conserve tigers. Details: Greifswald, Germany: Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, 2009. 104p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed July 3, 2013 at: http://www.botanik.uni-greifswald.de/msclenc/downloads/Masterarbeiten_pdf/2009_Bhattarai.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Nepal URL: http://www.botanik.uni-greifswald.de/msclenc/downloads/Masterarbeiten_pdf/2009_Bhattarai.pdf Shelf Number: 129250 Keywords: Animal PoachingHuman-Animal Conflict (Nepal)TigersWildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes |
Author: Pink, Grant Title: Law Enforcement Responses to Transnational Environmental Crime: Choices, challenges, and culture Summary: This paper considers the issue of law enforcement responses to transnational environmental crime with a particular focus on the role of environmental regulatory agencies. More specifically, it identifies and analyses the various operational and policy factors which inform and shape responses to transnational environmental crime. The aim of this paper is to furnish environmental regulatory agencies with information, options, and strategies so they can more effectively detect, deter, and disrupt this form of transnational crime. The paper outlines the different roles and functions of police agencies, customs and port authorities, and environmental regulatory agencies in terms of their efforts in the fight against transnational environmental crime. It also compares the use of administrative, civil, and criminal law enforcement responses by these response agencies. Details: Canberra: Transnational Environmental Crime Project, Department of International Relations, School of International, Political & Strategic Studies, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific and Australian National University, 2013. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Working Paper 4/2013: Accessed July 23, 2013 at: http://ips.cap.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/IPS/IR/TEC/TEC%20Working%20Paper%204_2013_1_Grant_Pink_Law_Enforcement_Responses.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://ips.cap.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/IPS/IR/TEC/TEC%20Working%20Paper%204_2013_1_Grant_Pink_Law_Enforcement_Responses.pdf Shelf Number: 129496 Keywords: Crimes Against the EnvironmentLaw EnforcementNatural ResourcesOffenses Against the EnvironmentWildlife ConservationWildlife Crimes |
Author: Environmental Investigation Agency Title: In Cold Blood: Combating Organised Wildlife Crime Summary: The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has been documenting and analyzing environmental crimes and abuses that impact our natural world for three decades. The objective has been to motivate governments to implement and enforce policies, laws and practices to protect species and habitats threatened by trade and unsustainable exploitation. EIA's modus operandi includes undercover investigations into the criminals perpetrating these crimes. In the 1980s, EIA documented the role of the Poon family, a sophisticated and organised transnational criminal network engaged in trafficking ivory from Africa, via the Middle East to east Asia. Over a decade later, EIA's analysis of individuals and companies implicated in the seizure of more than seven tonnes of ivory in Singapore in 2002 revealed that members of the Poon network were still involved in the illegal ivory trade. To this day, none of the key players involved in the 2002 seizure have been prosecuted. A lack of effective enforcement to disrupt the international syndicates involved in wildlife crime is a common and persistent problem. This is often due to a lack of investment and commitment from the highest levels of government to deliver a proactive, multi-agency, targeted and effective response. The current unprecedented level of political attention given to wildlife crime represents a crucial opportunity to turn previous commitments to combat organised wildlife crime into action. The international community must now ensure that the rule of law is fully applied to wildlife crime, and that enforcement techniques honed in other areas of serious crime are used to dismantle wildlife trafficking syndicates. This report features case studies that illustrate the successes and shortcomings in efforts to disrupt criminal networks, prosecute criminal masterminds and confiscate the proceeds of wildlife crime. The role of serious and organized criminal networks in wildlife crime is not an overnight phenomenon, but in the face of chronic government failure to treat it seriously, networks have persisted and prospered. Yet there are also examples where enforcement has been effective. Many frontline officers take great risks to curb wildlife poaching and smuggling. Specialised agencies and international organisations are yielding results. This dedication must be backed by political commitment to turn the tide against the current escalation of wildlife crime. Now is the time for enforcement, not extinction. Details: London: EIA, 2014. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 7, 2014 at: http://eia-international.org/wp-content/uploads/EIA-In-Cold-Blood-FINAL.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://eia-international.org/wp-content/uploads/EIA-In-Cold-Blood-FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 132284 Keywords: Animal PoachingOrganized CrimeWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Law EnforcementWildlife Trafficking |
Author: Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) Title: Blood e-Commerce: Rakuten's profits from the slaughter of elephants and whales Summary: The Rakuten Group, via its wholly owned Japanese subsidiary Rakuten Ichiba (www.rakuten.co.jp), is the world's largest online trader in elephant ivory and whale products. Rakuten Ichiba sells thousands of elephant ivory products, made from the tusks of African elephants that are currently being slaughtered at the rate of up to 50,000 a year in the worst ever poaching crisis. Hundreds of whale products, including endangered fin whale from Iceland and products from the whale and dolphin drive hunts in Taiji featured in the documentary The Cove, are also being sold on Rakuten Ichiba. It is the biggest known online retailer of elephant ivory and cetacean products in the world. The Rakuten Group, through Rakuten Ichiba, is directly responsible for these sales and is therefore directly profiting from the killing of elephants and whales. In recent years, international condemnation of Japan's whale and dolphin hunts, along with concerns about pollution and food safety, have led Japan's leading supermarket chains - AEON, Ito-Yokado, Seiyu and Uny - to prohibit the sale of whale or dolphin products in thousands of stores. Japan's leading seafood companies Maruha, Kyokuyo and Nippon Suisan have all ended the production of canned whale meat and other frozen whale products. Two major online retailers - Amazon and Google - have followed suit, stopping all sales or advertisements of whale, dolphin and ivory though their Japanese e-commerce sites. Rakuten must do the same. In June 2013, a search for 'whale meat' on www.rakuten.co.jp yielded 773 whale products for sale, while the broader term 'whale' generated over 1,200 food products. Many of these originated from baleen whales, namely fin, sei, minke and Bryde's whale, which are all protected species under the moratorium on commercial whaling established by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) since 1986. These species are also afforded the highest level of protection by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which prohibits international trade. Despite this, a number of companies were selling endangered fin whale imported from Iceland. Many products were from toothed cetacean species (known as 'small cetaceans'), namely Baird's beaked whales and pilot whales. A further 14 products were not listed with a species name, contrary to the requirements of Japan's labelling laws. Some of the whale products sold by Rakuten Ichiba are highly polluted with mercury and pose a significant risk to the health of consumers. Scientists have documented mercury levels more than 1,000 times higher than the Government of Japan's safe advisory level in species caught in Japanese coastal waters. Nine whale products were purchased from Rakuten Ichiba in 2013 and tested for mercury. Eight of these exceeded the Japanese national limit for total mercury concentration of 0.4 parts per million (ppm), with one sample of pilot whale meat having a shocking mercury concentration of 9.5 ppm, more than 20 times higher than the Japanese regulatory limit. The average mercury level of the nine products was 4.2 ppm, more than 10 times higher than the regulatory limit. In February 2014, searches for 'ivory' on www.rakuten.co.jp yielded more than 28,000 ads for elephant ivory products, indicating that a significant demand for elephant ivory persists in Japan. Items found include name seals, jewellery, musical instruments, accessories and chopsticks. Over 95 percent of products available were name seals, or 'hankos', used by individuals and companies to sign documents with their signatures engraved into the ivory. Much of Japan's trade in ivory hankos is supported by illegal African elephant ivory - between 2005-10, illegal ivory accounted for up to 87 per cent of the ivory hankos produced in Japan. Japan also has a specific demand for 'hard ivory' from Central Africa's endangered forest elephants and there are many hard ivory products available for sale on Rakuten Ichiba. In response to devastating poaching levels in the 1980s, the international ban on elephant ivory trade went into effect after the 1989 CITES Appendix I listing of African elephants, leading to a dramatic reduction of elephant poaching across much of Africa as ivory prices plummeted. However, the ban was undermined when CITES later approved two international sales of African ivory, first to Japan in 1999 and then to Japan and China in 2008. Existing legal domestic markets in countries such as Japan continue to fuel the demand for ivory. Japan's domestic ivory controls have failed to comply with the requirements of CITES to effectively control the trade in ivory and prevent poached ivory from entering the domestic market. Large numbers of poached ivory tusks have been laundered into Japan's domestic market as a result. Africa's elephants are being rapidly wiped out by poaching to meet the escalating demand for trinkets made from their tusks. By listing ivory products for sale, Rakuten Ichiba is helping to stimulate the market for ivory products in Japan and perpetuate illegal ivory flows and the poaching of elephants. Prominent internet retailers such as Amazon, Google and eBay have banned the sale of elephant ivory on all their controlled sites, including their Japanese sites. The Rakuten Group should follow suit and become part of the solution rather than contributing to the poaching epidemic. As the Rakuten Group directly profits from Rakuten Ichiba's sale of elephant and whale products, it is responsible not only for facilitating the sale of products from endangered and protected species but also for allowing the sale of food products which are highly contaminated with mercury and a health threat to the people consuming them. The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) is calling on the Rakuten Group and its global affiliates and subsidiaries, including Rakuten Ichiba, to immediately enact a permanent ban on the sale of all elephant, whale and dolphin products. Details: London: EIA, 2014. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 4, 2014 at http://www.eia-international.org/wp-content/uploads/Blood-e-Commerce-FINAL.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.eia-international.org/wp-content/uploads/Blood-e-Commerce-FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 132409 Keywords: Animal PoachingElephantsIllegal Ivory TradeOnline CrimeOnline TransactionsWhalesWildlife Crimes |
Author: World Bank Title: Enforcing Environmental Laws for Strong Economies and Safe Communities Summary: This roadmap for environmental and natural resources law enforcement (ENRLE) sets forth a course of action for the World Bank's ENRLE Community of Practice for FY2013-15. It outlines for senior management a strategy to mobilize and strengthen the Bank's engagement in the fight against environmental and natural resource crime, an issue that has significant detrimental effects on the economic, social, political, and environmental stability of our client countries. The roadmap also serves as a mobilizing tool for staff and management in regional departments to demonstrate the importance of ENRLE and to outline the menu of solutions that the Community of Practice (COP) can offer to strengthen our clients' fight against environmental and natural resource crime. Recent spikes in poaching, in illegal logging, and in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing have amplified the already urgent need for action. These crimes increase poverty, shrink prosperity, and magnify social and political tensions that undermine healthy communities and strong economies. Investment returns in wise environmental and natural resource law enforcement can be high. Criminal activities that affect the environment and natural resources are on the increase and pose an increasingly serious threat to development. Data and analyses reviewed by the World Bank's Community of Practice on ENRLE begin to show the magnitude of illegal logging, poaching of wildlife, trade in endangered species, wildland arson, criminal toxic releases, and other environment and natural resource-related crimes. They also show the diversity of the criminal threat, ranging from small-scale, artisanal crime that arises from poverty and inequities to growing problems of organized transnational criminal networks and enterprises using corruption, money laundering, technology, and other sophisticated methods to exploit persistent weaknesses in resource management and law enforcement. All World Bank client countries suffer from these crimes and are underserved by existing international law enforcement institutions and available mechanisms for support, capacity building, and operational cooperation. Vulnerability to environment crimes is often deepened by overarching problems of governance, corruption, and weaknesses in accountability at the national level. Environmental and natural resource crime is common, but in many countries it is rarely prosecuted. The very elements that make these crimes possible-that natural capital is undervalued, seldom properly guarded, and often has unclear or contested ownership-also compromise prosecution. This Roadmap FY2013-15 builds on recently scaled-up support for ENRLE that includes project commitments on the order of $50-60 million per year. Along with investments, the Bank supports advisory and analytic work and leadership in regional and international processes and dialogue. While the Bank is not a law enforcement agency, its established programs to support natural resource and environmental management and to safeguard global public goods, its commitment to strengthening good governance and to fighting corruption, and its partnerships with key law enforcement agencies such as Interpol and Europol give it an opportunity and responsibility to do more. This report discusses how the World Bank Group (WBG) will mobilize to work better on ENRLE. Recognizing the evolving global context, a new and fully mobilized Community of Practice will put more emphasis on building a constituency within the WBG to work on the range of ENRLE issues, on building the capacity of WBG staff to provide investment and technical assistance on ENRLE, on strengthening analytical work to develop a pipeline of ENRLE investments, and on fostering demand among clients for Bank investment in ENRLE. Details: Washington, DC: World Bank, 2014. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: Agriculture and environmental services discussion paper ; no. 5: Accessed July 25, 2014 at: http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2014/02/20/000442464_20140220144545/Rendered/PDF/843960REVISED0000Enforcing0Env0Laws.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2014/02/20/000442464_20140220144545/Rendered/PDF/843960REVISED0000Enforcing0Env0Laws.pdf Shelf Number: 132778 Keywords: Crimes Against the EnvironmentCriminal NetworksNatural ResourcesOrganized CrimeWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Schbley, Ghassan Title: Piracy, Illegal Fishing, and Maritime Insecurity in Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania Summary: Long coastlines, porous borders, a lack of government capacity, weak enforcement mechanisms, corruption, and other factors have enabled illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing to thrive in Somalia's waters. The same factors have allowed other transnational threats to develop in Somalia-and spread further south into Kenya and Tanzania. This study, which draws on extensive field research along the East African littoral, identifies and analyzes linkages between piracy and IUU fishing. In addition, the report examines the role of the maritime sector in facilitating the illegal movement of drugs, weapons, and people through the region. This study also highlights the role of small vessels in a system that transports terrorists from al-Shabaab, al-Qaeda's East Africa affiliate, to and from Somalia. Details: Arlington, VA: CNA Analysis & Solutions, 2013. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 12, 2014 at: http://www.cna.org/sites/default/files/research/IIM-2013-U-005731-Final3.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Africa URL: http://www.cna.org/sites/default/files/research/IIM-2013-U-005731-Final3.pdf Shelf Number: 133298 Keywords: Border SecurityIllegal FishingMaritime CrimeMaritime SecurityPirates/Piracy (Africa)Wildlife Crimes |
Author: Sellar, John M. Title: Policing the Trafficking of Wildlife: Is there anything to learn from law enforcement responses to drug and firearms trafficking? Summary: The "tipping point" on wildlife crime is fast approaching: the extinction of key species and irreparable damage to the environment are both imminent possibilities in the near future. Growing demand for wildlife products in key markets has triggered a professionalization and aggression in poaching which is unparalleled. Armed with advanced weaponry, surveillance equipment and facilitated by extensive corruption, the criminal market in wildlife crime is now one of the most significant illicit markets in the world. Key species such as the rhino are being slaughtered at record levels. Lesser known animals are traded at a scale that is almost incomprehensible. This is no longer just a criminal act: it is warfare. The law enforcement community, at national and international levels, has long been engaged in what are described as 'wars' against narcotic and firearm trafficking. These two forms of criminality share many of the same features as those of wildlife trafficking, particularly as all three involve: the harvesting or acquisition of material or products in one State; usually require illicit export from the same State; the subsequent clandestine movement of the material or products across further national borders (regularly many borders and also intercontinentally); illicit import to the State of destination; and final delivery to customers and consumers. This paper is not an attempt to determine whether battles have been lost or won in each of these wars. Rather, it seeks to describe some of the strategies adopted by individual nations and international alliances to respond to drug and firearms trafficking, the manner in which they have rallied their troops, and examines whether illegal trade in wildlife can be thought of as a 'common enemy' and, thus, addressed in a similar fashion. The assessment and findings presented in this report are drawn from the extensive experience of the author, a law enforcement professional with over four decades of experience. The author held the role of Chief of Law Enforcement for CITES, and during 14 years with CITES he conducted 234 missions to 66 countries, assessing enforcement in the field and designing strategies to tackle wildlife trafficking. Thus while this study may not draw upon comprehensive research, it nonetheless presents an unparalleled expert perspective of the global state of affairs. Details: Geneva, SWIT: Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, 2014. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 25, 2014 at: http://www.rhinoowners.org/WYSI/assets/SRP%20DOCS/Global%20Initiative%20-%20Wildlife%20Trafficking%20Law%20Enforcement%20-%20Feb%202014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.rhinoowners.org/WYSI/assets/SRP%20DOCS/Global%20Initiative%20-%20Wildlife%20Trafficking%20Law%20Enforcement%20-%20Feb%202014.pdf Shelf Number: 133424 Keywords: Animal PoachingIllegal Wildlife TradeOrganized CrimeWildlife CrimesWildlife Law EnforcementWildlife Trafficking |
Author: Chandran, Remi Title: Bytes beyond Borders: Strengtning Transboundary Information Sharing on Wildlife Crime through the Wildlife Enforcement Monitoring System (WEMS) Initiative, Summary: The multi-billion dollar illegal wildlife trade is a global crisis that not only threatens the conservation of protected species but also has deep implications for peace and security in nations across the world. As wildlife trafficking becomes more organized and illegal trade of wildlife continues to flourish on the ground and in cyberspace, there is an urgent need for a concerted international effort to gather and share wildlife crime information among law enforcement and policymakers, empowering them to stem the tide of wildlife trafficking. There are several good examples out of such efforts, primarily by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and INTERPOL, to combat wildlife poaching and transboundary illegal wildlife trade. At a policy level, the formation of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC)1 can be considered as one of the major achievements in recent times, where CITES, INTERPOL, World Bank, UN Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) and World Customs Organization have come together as one unit to address the issue. The good work done by civil society, including WWF, TRAFFIC, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and member organizations of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Species Survival Network (SSN) including grass root NGOs, is noteworthy as well. Yet, combating wildlife crime remains a big challenge. The collective efforts of the conservation community and governments are still unable to check the behaviour of poaching syndicates and organized criminals. We remain far behind in finding an adequate response to the crisis. Details: Yokohama: United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies, 2013. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Policy Brief: Accessed October 22, 2014 at: http://archive.ias.unu.edu/resource_centre/bytes_beyond_borders-strengthening_transboundary_information.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://archive.ias.unu.edu/resource_centre/bytes_beyond_borders-strengthening_transboundary_information.pdf Shelf Number: 133794 Keywords: Animal PoachingIllegal Wildlife TradeOrganized CrimeWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |
Author: Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime Title: Improving Development Responses to Organized Crime Summary: Over the past decade, there has been a growing realization that organized crime is a spoiler to development. This realization has been charted in a number of seminal reports: in 2005, the report of the Secretary-General "In Larger Freedom" highlighted the challenges of preventing the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) highlighted organized crime as one of the principle threats to peace and security in the 21st Century. In the same year, a UNODC report underscored the linkage between under-development and a crime prone environment. The 2010 "Keeping the Promise" report of the Secretary- General recognized that in order to achieve the MDGs, there would need to be capacity to explicitly respond to organized crime. The World Development Report 2011 concluded that both conflict and organized crime have the same detrimental effect on development: Resulting in 20% less development performance. The "Action Agenda" of the Secretary-General in 2012 cited the need to respond better to organized crime as a priority to achieving a stable world. While organized crime is not a new phenomenon, what is new is both its growth and reach, and the degree to which it threatens countries with the least capacity to respond. There are specific constituencies that are seeing a direct impact of organized crime on their ability to achieve their development objectives. For those working on environmental issues, for example, criminal flows are becoming a fairly significant problem. In areas like sustainable forestry, a substantial proportion of development assistance is being diverted through illegal logging. In addressing fisheries or marine ecosystems, addressing the problem of mass-scale illegal fishing has become more urgent than other research priorities. Globally, more citizens are killed through organized crime related violence in one year than have been killed in terrorist related incidents over the last two decades. In many parts of the world, including in some vulnerable and fragile states, organized crime both exploits and exacerbates conditions that allow it to thrive. In many developing countries organized crime has undermined state institutions across sectors, including for example, in the areas of environment, health, welfare and education, and further weakens state capacity to ensure the rule of law and provide security to citizens. The result is a vicious cycle: organized crime negatively impacts on the rule of law, human and economic development creating the conditions for further instability and distorted or weak governance. Thus while it has become a commonly accepted doctrine that organized crime is a spoiler to peace and development, where the debate has evolved in recent years is to recognize that effective solutions to reducing organized crime and mitigating its impacts are not to be found without development approaches. A combination of the extent of the impact of organized crime, but also the acknowledgement that many of its causes relate to a wider set of governance, social, developmental and other factors, has highlighted incontrovertibly that a narrow security approach will not be effective in countering the problem. It has been proven now in a number of theatres, that investments concentrated on building the capacity of security institutions - police and customs units - cannot alone provide a sustainable solution. It has become imperative that the weight of the development community and their tools can be brought to bear. While the issue may have been recognized to be of importance, the policy debate as to what this means in practical terms for development programming is now only getting underway. Within a broader context of the shifts in the development debate globally, including within the framework of the revision of the MDGs, there is now significant scope for further exploring the role of development actors in countering organized crime and building communities and state institutions that are resilient to its deleterious impacts. The development community needs to review its toolbox and align its responses in what is traditionally considered to be a security space. This report is drawn from a seminar in April 2014, hosted by the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The seminar brought together 50 experts from national governments, multi-lateral organizations, think tanks and NGOs working in the development sector. Governments represented were Austria, Germany, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union. Details: Geneva, SWIT: Global Initiative Against Organized Crime, 2014. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 10, 2014 at: http://www.globalinitiative.net/download/global-initiative/Global%20Initiative%20-%20Improving%20Development%20Responses%20to%20Organized%20Crime%20-%20July%202014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.globalinitiative.net/download/global-initiative/Global%20Initiative%20-%20Improving%20Development%20Responses%20to%20Organized%20Crime%20-%20July%202014.pdf Shelf Number: 134008 Keywords: Crime Against the EnvironmentCriminal NetworksOrganized CrimeWildlife Crimes |
Author: Burnett, Mark Title: Illegal Fishing in Arctic Waters: Catch of Today - Gone Tomorrow? Summary: Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is a global concern, costing nations upwards of $10 billion (US$15.5 billion) annually. Few places are of such great concern as the Arctic, home to some of the most outstanding marine ecosystems and most productive fisheries in the world. Indeed, between them the Barents Sea cod fishery and the Russian Far Eastern pollock fishery alone account for between 20 and 25% of the global catch of whitefish. Recent years have seen significant progress in reducing - though by no means eliminating - IUU fishing in the Barents Sea. A new WWF report, Illegal Fishing in Arctic Waters, finds, however, that it remains a concern in the western Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk in the Russian Far East. Moreover, globalization of the fishing industry has resulted not only in new markets and new governance structures, but also in new challenges and obstacles to combating the truly international criminal activity that IUU fishing has become. Details: Oslo: World Wildlife Fund International Arctic Programme, 2008. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed February 3, 2015 at: http://d2ouvy59p0dg6k.cloudfront.net/downloads/iuu_report_version_1_3_30apr08.pdf Year: 2008 Country: International URL: http://d2ouvy59p0dg6k.cloudfront.net/downloads/iuu_report_version_1_3_30apr08.pdf Shelf Number: 134523 Keywords: Fishing IndustryIllegal FishingMaritime CrimeNatural ResourcesWildlife Crimes |
Author: Bondaroff, Teale N. Phelps Title: The Illegal Fishing and Organized Crime Nexus: Illegal Fishing as Transnational Organized Crime Summary: More than 90% of the world's fisheries are currently fully or over-exploited. A 2008 study estimated that the annual global illicit fishing catch was between 11 - 26 million tonnes, equal to more than 1,800 pounds of wild-caught fish stolen from the oceans every second. Despite this, illicit fishing is treated predominantly as a regulatory issue, a matter of different actors violating regulations, perhaps opportunistically or out of ignorance. However, as this report, "The Illegal Fishing and Organized Crime Nexus," commissioned jointly by the Global Initiative with The Black Fish, a Netherlands-based international organisation working to end illegal overfishing, now proves, illicit fishing practices are increasingly taking the form of a highly organized transnational crime. Rather than fishers accidentally violating regulations, this evidence-based account documents systematic and highly coordinated efforts to violate fishing laws and regulations around the world, putting the stability of marine ecosystems in serious jeopardy. We see how illicit fishers enable their activities through the violation of labour and environmental standards, corruption, bribery and violence. Case studies presented in the report also reveal an even darker side to illicit fishing - connected to human trafficking, illegal drug smuggling, serious violence and murder. It demonstrates the engagement of known mafia groups and criminal networks that profit from the practice. Despite this evidence, illicit fishing continues to be treated as a regulatory issue instead of as a form of transnational crime, and as such this practice is able to flourish with minimal enforcement or penalties. The report concludes that urgent and multilateral action is to be initiated to halt the growing multi-billion dollar illegal fish market. Recommendations advocate for the importance of urgently strengthening international regulations regarding shipping and vessels, creating domestic legislation designed to treat IUU fishing as a crime; dramatically increasing the punishments of offenders and significant enhancement of monitoring and enforcement are additional recommendations. Details: Geneva, SWIT: Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, 2015. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 25, 2015 at: http://www.globalinitiative.net/download/global-initiative/GI%20Black%20Fish%20-%20Illegal%20Fishing%20and%20Organized%20Crime%20Nexus%20-%20April%202015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: International URL: http://www.globalinitiative.net/download/global-initiative/GI%20Black%20Fish%20-%20Illegal%20Fishing%20and%20Organized%20Crime%20Nexus%20-%20April%202015.pdf Shelf Number: 135390 Keywords: Illegal FishingMaritime CrimeOffenses Against the EnvironmentOrganized CrimeWildlife Crimes |
Author: Wyatt, Tanya Title: Corruption and wildlife trafficking Summary: Wildlife trafficking is a growing global concern. It takes place in all regions of the world with those nations with high biodiversity being the source and the consumers of the wildlife as well as transit areas and hubs for smuggled wildlife. It is a significant contributor to biodiversity loss and species extinction. Many if not most developing nations are rich in biodiversity and therefore must contend with wildlife trafficking. It is a critical concern for these nations' environment and economies. It has been documented that corruption is an essential component in the facilitation and perpetration of the illegal wildlife trade, but a comprehensive study into the scale, scope and structure has yet to be undertaken. This U4 Issue paper conducts a meta-study regarding corruption's role in wildlife trafficking from the available literature, interviews with experts and a case study of Vietnam in an attempt to highlight concerns for bilateral donors in regards to conservation, environment and law enforcement programmes. Details: Bergen, NO: U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre, Chr. Michelsen Institute, 2015. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: U4 Issue no. 11: Accessed July 15, 2015 at: http://www.u4.no/publications/corruption-and-wildlife-trafficking/ Year: 2015 Country: Vietnam URL: http://www.u4.no/publications/corruption-and-wildlife-trafficking/ Shelf Number: 136038 Keywords: BriberyCorruptionMoney LaunderingTrafficking in WildlifeWild Animal TradeWildlife Crimes |
Author: Cantu, Juan Carlos Title: The Illegal Parrot Trade in Mexico: A Comprehensive Assessment Summary: Mexico has 22 species of parrots (psittacines) of which six are endemic. Wild parrots are widespread across the country and have a strong connection with Mexican culture. All species except two are officially listed as at risk; 6 species are classified as endangered, 10 as threatened, and 4 as under special protection. The foremost threats psittacines face in Mexico are loss of habitat and illegal trapping for the pet trade. While some research has been done in the past regarding parrot trafficking, the fundamental questions of the volume of illegal trapping, how and where it is carried out, how trapping affects particular species and how the illegal trade relates to the legal trade were poorly understood. This assessment provides, for the first time, comprehensive answers to these and related questions, as well as detailed historical information on the regulatory programs applied to parrot trapping, the enforcement of those programs, seizures by enforcement officials, mortality rates of captured parrots, and prices in the legal and illegal trades, including historical trends. Based on interviews with trappers and representatives of their unions, and analysis of other data, an estimated range of 65,000 to 78,500 parrots are captured each year. The overall mortality rate for trapped parrots exceeds 75% before reaching a purchaser, which translates to about 50,000 to 60,000 dead birds annually, making this trade terribly inhumane and wasteful. The rate of parrot seizures by the environmental police, Procuraduria Federal de Proteccion al Ambiente (Profepa), was assessed. The seizures by Profepa represent an average of only about 2% of the annual illegal trade. Seizure rates appear to be mostly correlated with the level of enforcement effort. It is apparent that Profepa and other agencies currently lack adequate personnel and budgets to police the trade. Through analysis of seizure data obtained from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the assessment determined that only a small percentage of the annual illegal capture is being smuggled out of the country; about 86% to 96% of all trapped Mexican parrots stay in the internal trade. This is a shift from the 1970s and 1980s when the lucrative and huge USA market was considered to drive the trafficking. Now, Mexico must solve the problem internally. This assessment finds that fewer than 150 registered trappers have focused on parrots exclusively. No parrot trapping had been authorized by wildlife officials between 2003 and late 2006. Prior to 2003, the trapping regulations had many drawbacks. Officials were unable to control the number of specimens taken, the time period or the place of capture. The existence of legal trapping authorizations provided cover for the illegal trade, through forging of documents and other illicit methods. Despite the lack of any approved trapping seasons for the last three years unsustainable capture of wild parrots has continued unabated. It takes place all year round, even inside natural protected areas, and affects almost all of the 22 species. Populations of parrots are decreasing due to this exploitation. Scientific surveys estimate a 25-30% decrease in some species; interviews with parrot trappers themselves further corroborate some of these declines. Some parrots have been extirpated from large parts of their historic range. Eventual extinction is foreseeable for whole species if illegal trapping is not reined in. This assessment shows that national and international bans have not cause increased smuggling or increased prices of the affected parrot species over the last 10 years. Prices in Mexico and the USA have, in fact, generally decreased in that time period. Mexico's imports of non-native parrots have sharply increased, but they are too expensive for the huge segment of the Mexican public that purchases low-cost, illegal wild-caught parrots. Breeding centers for native parrots are few; they can breed only a small number of the 22 species and their prices cannot compete with the prices of their wild-caught cousins. This assessment provides policy recommendations to stop the devastating impacts on Mexico's prized native parrots. First and foremost is a well-publicized complete ban on any more trapping authorizations. While authorizations were temporarily halted for three years, new information obtained at the time of printing this report, in October of 2006, indicated that government officials have issued more trapping authorizations. This could be disastrous as it will provide more cover for the illegal trade and fails to send the needed strong message to the trappers and traffickers that the government is serious about conserving viable populations of parrots for the future. Not only a permanent ban, but also dramatically increased enforcement efforts to make the ban effective are needed. This should include increased enforcement efforts by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement agents to reduce the illegal trade, especially for the orange fronted parakeet (Aratinga canicularis), white fronted parrot (Amazona albifrons), yellow cheeked parrot (Amazona autumnalis), lilac crowned parrot (Amazona finschi) and red crowned parrot (Amazona viridigenalis), for which smuggling across the border appears to be increasing, thus is a continuing threat to the species' survival. The lessons about the need for a total ban were learned over several decades in a comparable situation when Mexico attempted to cut back on sea turtle harvesting, but only after several failed harvesting programs and drastic population crashes in almost all native sea turtle populations. For parrots, the time is ripe to tackle the challenges before it is too late. Several Profepa inspectors interviewed agreed a permanent ban is needed. The recommended permanent ban on further parrot trapping should be accompanied by a well-funded bi-national education campaign to make the Mexican and USA publics fully aware that it is wrong to buy any parrot that lacks proper documentation. Encouraging the breeding of low-cost exotic parrots could provide a substitute supply of pets. A Mexican government program to train parrot trappers to pursue other work will be vital, such as breeding exotic parrots and guiding birdwatchers in the field. An important element of conserving wild populations will be to provide some subsidization of trappers, to shift them from an illegal occupation to a legal occupation. USA funding should assist in this as well, in view of the vast deleterious impact that consumer demand from the USA had on these species particularly during the 1970s and 1980s. In sum, only integrated, coherent and well-funded policy changes will succeed in solving the biological, economic and social challenges of the illegal parrot trade. Details: Washington, DC: Defenders of Wildlife, 2007. 121p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 12, 2015 at: https://www.defenders.org/publications/the_illegal_parrot_trade_in_mexico.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Mexico URL: https://www.defenders.org/publications/the_illegal_parrot_trade_in_mexico.pdf Shelf Number: 110587 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeParrotsTrafficking in WildlifeWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Smuggling |
Author: Goyenechea, Alejandra Title: Combating Wildlife Trafficking from Latin America to the United States: The illegal trade from Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America and what we can do to address it Summary: WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING is one of the most lucrative forms of illegal activity, with an estimated annual global value of $7 billion to $23 billion. About 350 million plants and animals per year are sold on the black market. Every region of the world is experiencing the negative impacts of this illegal wildlife trade as natural resources are stolen by poachers and traffickers. New strategies are desperately needed to counter this growing crisis that threatens our planet's natural heritage. Discussions on combating wildlife trafficking have focused mainly on elephants, rhinos and tigers in Africa and Asia. Often forgotten, however, is the fact that wildlife trafficking occurs across all continents and threatens a wide range of imperiled species, including exotic birds, sea turtles, coral, caimans, iguanas, pangolins and land tortoises. This report draws attention to two important regions involved in wildlife trafficking that are often overlooked: the United States and Latin America. The United States is generally accepted as one of the largest consumers of illegal wildlife and wildlife products worldwide. Much of the world's trade in illegal wildlife is either driven by U.S. consumers or passes through U.S. ports on its way to other destinations - making the United States a key player in wildlife trafficking. The value of legal wildlife trade in the United States is estimated at $6 billion annually, the illegal wildlife trade at one-third of that or $2 billion annually. The Latin American region (Mexico the Caribbean, Central America and South America) experiences the same perfect storm of factors that have led to rampant wildlife trafficking in other regions: It is home to many developing countries, has thousands of imperiled and endemic species, and struggles with corruption and enforcement. Consequently, the United Nations designated Latin America a priority region in combating wildlife crime. The purpose of this report is to help the United States address this growing crisis by 1) assessing the capacity of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to detect and deter wildlife trafficking and to collect and analyze data on this illegal activity; 2) analyzing the effectiveness of existing law enforcement mechanisms and proposals for enhancing the overall capacity of the federal government to counter wildlife trafficking 3) identifying current patterns of high-volume trafficking from Latin America; and 4) identifying gaps in the existing response to wildlife crimes at our ports of entry. Details: Washington, DC: Defenders of Wildlife, 2015. 95p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 12, 2015 at: http://www.defenders.org/sites/default/files/publications/combating-wildlife-trafficking-from-latin-america-to-the-united-states-and-what-we-can-do-to-address-it.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Latin America URL: http://www.defenders.org/sites/default/files/publications/combating-wildlife-trafficking-from-latin-america-to-the-united-states-and-what-we-can-do-to-address-it.pdf Shelf Number: 137241 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeWildlife CrimesWildlife SmugglingWildlife Trafficking |
Author: Felbab-Brown, Vanda Title: Enabling war and peace: Drugs, logs, gems, and wildlife in Thailand and Burma Summary: In this policy paper, Vanda Felbab-Brown explores the relationship between conflict, peace dynamics, and drugs and other illicit economies in Thailand and Myanmar/Burma since the 1960s through the current period. In both cases, drugs and other illicit economies fueled insurgencies and ethnic separatism. Yet both Myanmar and Thailand are in different ways (controversial) exemplars of how to suppress conflict in the context of the drugs-conflict nexus. They both show that the central premise of the narcoinsurgency/narcoterrorism conventional approach - in order to defeat militants, bankrupt them by destroying the illicit drug economy on which they rely - was ineffective and counterproductive. At the same time, however, in both Thailand and Myanmar, recent anti-drug policies have either generated new hidden violent social conflict or threaten to unravel the fragile ethnic peace. The leading research finding and policy implications are: While illicit economies fuel conflict, their suppression is often counterproductive for ending conflict and can provoke new forms of conflict. Prioritization and sequencing of government efforts to end conflict and reduce illicit economies is crucial. So is recognizing that suppressing poppy at the cost of exacerbating logging or wildlife trafficking is not an adequate policy outcome. Learning the right lessons is acutely important for Burma/Myanmar, which, after the overwhelming victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung Sang Suu Kyi in the November 2015 elections, is entering a new political order and a new phase in peace negotiations with ethnic separatist groups. Although the Myanmar military will not give up its influence on the ethnic peace processes, Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD will become far more involved in the negotations, having drawn important support from the contested ethnic areas allowed to participate in the election. At the same time, the NLD and Suu Kyi (whatever her formal title in the new government will be) will need to carefully structure and calibrate their relationships with external donors and trading partners, such as China and the United States, many of which will seek to shape policies toward drugs and other extractive and illegal economies, including logging, mining, and wildlife trafficking. Details: Washington, DC: Center for East Asia Policy Studies at Brookings, 2015. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: East Asia Policy Paper 7: Accessed February 8, 2016 at: http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/research/files/papers/2015/12/thailand-burma-drugs-wildlife-felbabbrown/policy-paper-7--webv5.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Thailand URL: http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/research/files/papers/2015/12/thailand-burma-drugs-wildlife-felbabbrown/policy-paper-7--webv5.pdf Shelf Number: 137783 Keywords: Illegal TradeTrafficking in WildlifeWild Animal TradeWildlife CrimesWildlife Smuggling |
Author: Wood, Jonathan Title: Overcriminalization and the Endangered Species Act: Mens Rea and Criminal Convictions for Take Summary: The Endangered Species Act makes it a crime to "knowingly" take any member of an endangered species. The government has generally interpreted this to require a defendant to have knowledge of each of the elements of the offense, i.e. that his actions will result in take and what species will be taken. However, it has not been consistent in this interpretation. In several cases, it has argued that the defendant need only have knowingly engaged in an act; knowledge of its consequences for a particular species is unnecessary. When challenged, this interpretation has been upheld by the Fifth and Ninth Circuits. This article argues that the statute requires knowledge of all of the facts constituting the offense, including the identity of the species. The Supreme Court generally presumes that knowledge of the facts constituting an offense is required, out of a fear of criminalizing ordinary, apparently innocent conduct. The breadth of the Endangered Species Act's take provision and the number and obscurity of the species subject to it counsel strongly in favor of interpreting the statute consistent with this general rule. Policy objections to this interpretation are better addressed through other provisions of the act. Details: Sacramento, CA: Pacific Legal Foundation, 2016. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Working Paper Series, No. 13-514: Accessed February 24, 2016 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2731292 Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2731292 Shelf Number: 137945 Keywords: Endangered Species ActGuilty MindMens ReaOffenses Against the EnvironmentWildlife Crimes |
Author: Wu, Joyce Title: Humphead (Napoleon) Wrasse Cheilinus undulatus trade into and through Hong Kong Summary: Market surveys in Hong Kong and mainland China have revealed the large scale of illegal and unreported trade in Humphead Wrasse despite the introduction of regulatory measures in 2005. The Humphead Wrasse is a large, naturally rare, slow growing and high value reef fish that is usually traded live and consumed as a delicacy particularly in Hong Kong and mainland China, along with various other reef fish such as groupers and other wrasses. The study, Humphead (Napoleon) Wrasse Cheilinus undulatus trade into and through Hong Kong was published by TRAFFIC and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Grouper and Wrasse Specialist Group (GWSG) and funded by the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and The University of Hong Kong. In 2005, the Humphead Wrasse was listed in Appendix II of CITES, in order to regulate its international trade to sustainable levels through the issuing of export permits by source countries, while Hong Kong also requires import permits for CITES II listed species. According to UNEP-WCMC data, the official global database for trade in CITES-listed species, Indonesia and Malaysia are the main exporters of Humphead Wrasse, although only Indonesia currently issues CITES export permits; Malaysia set its export quotas for live Humphead Wrasse to zero in 2010 and for all Humphead Wrasse to zero in 2015. Traders also told the report's authors that significant numbers of Humphead Wrasse are sourced from the Philippines, as also claimed by a number of e-commerce websites. However, according to the CITES trade data only three live fish have been exported from the Philippines. An official CITES document tabled in 2010 identified Hong Kong and mainland China as the principal destinations for Humphead Wrasse, and although no trade between the two is reported to CITES, it is recorded by Hong Kong's AFCD. Despite this lack of reported trade involving mainland China, surveys by the report's authors of physical seafood markets in Shenzhen in May and June 2015 and e-commerce websites found at least 15 companies claiming to sell live, chilled or frozen Humphead Wrasse, 12 of them located in mainland China. In Hong Kong, monthly surveys of the three biggest fish markets carried out by a team from Hong Kong University during the study recorded a total of 1,197 live Humphead Wrasse between November 2014 and December 2015. There is usually a short turnaround time (around two weeks) between import and sale of live Humphead Wrasse, making it highly unlikely that those observed on sale had been imported in earlier years. Figures obtained from Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong's CITES Management Authority, showed the import of just 150 Humphead Wrasse during the whole of 2014. However, more than that total, 157, were observed by the University team during November and December 2014 alone. Details: Hong Kong: TRAFFIC, 2016. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 21, 2016 at: http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/157301/26918241/1458157598657/Humphead-Wrasse-Hong-Kong-trade.pdf?token=oqIRqOqDbkxaCMmq11C1FTGP7nU%3D Year: 2016 Country: Hong Kong URL: http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/157301/26918241/1458157598657/Humphead-Wrasse-Hong-Kong-trade.pdf?token=oqIRqOqDbkxaCMmq11C1FTGP7nU%3D Shelf Number: 138345 Keywords: Endangered SpeciesFisheriesIllegal TradeWhalesWildlife CrimesWildlife Trade |
Author: Paquel, Kamila Title: Wildlife Crime in Poland. An In-depth Analysis for the ENVI Committee Summary: Wildlife crime is not a priority for Polish authorities involved in environmental and criminal legislation and enforcement. Despite a decreasing number of seizures of illegally handled CITES species that is ascribed to trainings provided to CITES enforcement bodies and an increased awareness of wildlife crime among the Polish society, there is no evidence that the scale of wildlife crime in Poland has been reduced. Recent findings by regional NGOs indicate that Poland is a leading country in terms of the volume of illegal on-line trade in protected fauna and flora in the Central and Eastern part of the EU. There is, however, very little information in this regard collected by the public enforcement authorities involved in wildlife protection. In terms of illegal imports and (re)exports of wildlife, Poland is mainly a destination country, but it is also a territory of transit and, to some extent, of origin. The actual scale of wildlife traffic is not certain. However, it is estimated that the Customs Service only discloses some 10-15 % of illegal traffic of protected species. Illegal markets of traditional Asian medicine, avifauna (including birds of prey), exotic wood, and wildlife suitable for aquaria and terraria are growing. In this context, wildlife crime can be considered a significant problem in Poland, and its scale is believed to grow proportionately to the increase in economic welfare of the Polish society and the demand by Asian minorities in Poland. Limited capacities of enforcement authorities, a lack of a holistic vision, and inadequate legislation further aggravate the problem. Apart from CITES-related offences, the number of illegal poaching instances reported in Poland every year is significant and increasing. While national legislation implementing EU law relevant to wildlife protection is in place, Poland is struggling to ensure adequate human resources in terms of volume and skills to counteract wildlife crime effectively. This may partly explain why wildlife crime is not among the major issues law enforcement entities are dealing with in Poland. Due to limited resources, these bodies do not have the capacity to follow all threads linked to wildlife crime and effectively counteract it. Moreover, some technical barriers are reported to hinder CITES enforcement. For example, enforcement officers in Poland often have difficulties with establishing the legal origin of captive-bred specimens originating from breeding operations across the EU. The difficulty is considered to stem, among others, from non-harmonised formats of documentation used as a proof of legality of the species' origin. In terms of judicial action, in the majority of CITES-related cases, Polish courts close the cases in an early phase or impose low penalties unlikely to deter commercial perpetrators. This is likely to stem from an overly rigid system of sanctions for CITES infringements embedded in the Polish Penal Code, which categorizes any breach in this respect as a crime and thus creates a risk of congestion of criminal cases in the already saturated Polish courts. According to stakeholders CITES implementation in Poland would be better if the law was more reflective of the wildlife crime specificity and trainings were provided to the judiciary sector. In what can still be largely considered a learning process, Poland's efforts against wildlife crime are based on education and public outreach. A number of dedicated trainings have been provided to public enforcement bodies dealing with wildlife protection. To tackle the demand side, awareness-raising is promoted in seminars organised in schools at different levels, as well as by glass displays in airports, border posts and other public places. In both, training and education, the role of conservationist NGOs (namely WWF Poland and PTOP 'Salamandra') has been prominent, often compensating for the constrained capacity of the public authorities in the area of wildlife crime prevention and control. Details: Brussels: European Parliament, 2016 29p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 22, 2016 at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2016/578960/IPOL_IDA%282016%29578960_EN.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Poland URL: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2016/578960/IPOL_IDA%282016%29578960_EN.pdf Shelf Number: 138726 Keywords: Animal PoachingIllegal Wildlife Trade Organized Crime Trafficking in Wildlife Wild Animal Trade Wildlife Conservation Wildlife Crimes Wildlife Smuggling |
Author: Fajardo Del Castillo, Teresa Title: Wildlife Crime in Spain. In-depth Analysis for the ENVI Committee Summary: Spain is a relevant entry point to Europe as well as a country of origin and transit of wildlife crime with trade routes introducing illegal timber from Latin American and Barbary Macaques and elephants and rhino trophies from African countries as well as trade routes of eels, raptors and ivory to the Middle East and Asia. Recent police operations point to the existence of criminal groups, with organized crime infrastructures and their modus operandi. The internet is increasingly used for selling rare species outside the legal market. As examples of good practice, the Spanish Environmental Police, (SEPRONA), is one of the few specialized forces in Europe fighting environmental crime as well as its CITES Management Authorities which implement CITES and EU legislation. SEPRONA has developed and implemented day-to-day strategies against wildlife crime. Its agents have engaged in significant major wildlife crime operations, some of which have been perpetrated by organized criminal groups, however, the examined case law shows a limited number of convictions and lenient punishments due to difficulties in providing the required evidence and the resistance of judges to consider environmental crime as serious. Spain also has a specialized Prosecutor's Office that cooperates closely with CITES Management Authorities and SEPRONA. Both SEPRONA and the Spanish CITES Management Authorities cooperate with authorities of other Member States and third countries on a regular basis as well as in coordinated operations that show the importance of institutional contacts of the CITES Authorities as well as the institutional networks and agencies, such as EUROPOL and INTERPOL. This cooperation contributes to overcoming the limits of the CITES Convention and EU Regulation that in the opinion of the experts interviewed are fragmented and lack clarity. Moreover, the legal instruments at domestic and European level to fight against organized crime do not envisage environmental crime or wildlife crime, and can hardly be applied to fight them since they are destined to fight serious crimes. It is the opinion of the Spanish Management Authorities as well as the Prosecution Office that a specific legal instrument to fight wildlife crime would be most useful to overcome these problems. Details: Brussels: European Parliament, 2016. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 22, 2016 at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2016/578962/IPOL_IDA%282016%29578962_EN.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Spain URL: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2016/578962/IPOL_IDA%282016%29578962_EN.pdf Shelf Number: 138727 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife Trade Organized Crime Trafficking in Wildlife Wild Animal Trade Wildlife Conservation Wildlife Crimes Wildlife Smuggling |
Author: Illes, Andrea Title: Wildlife Crime in the United Kingdom. An In-depth Analysis for the ENVI Committee Summary: The illegal trade of wildlife is a major problem in the UK, which is a significant transit and destination country. There is a very wide range of species affected by the illegal trade, including reptiles, endangered birds and their eggs, caviars, corals, ivory from elephant and hippo and horns from rhino. The number of seizures is high; between 2009 and 2014 UK Border Forces made 2 853 seizures in total1. Nevertheless, wildlife crime covers not only illegal trade in wildlife but other illegal actions, such as poaching. Within the UK, the other most common wildlife crimes include badger persecution, bat persecution, deer and fish poaching, hare coursing and raptor persecution (NWCU, 2014). Links between wildlife crime and organised crime groups have also been identified. Organised crime and illegal wildlife trade is known to be linked to rhino horn thefts and trade, to trade in raptors and bird eggs, and to the repeated sale of traditional medicine products (Sollund and Maher, 2015, p. 24), while poaching and raptor persecution are sometimes linked to organised crime groups. At the same time, the efforts to combat wildlife crime in the UK are wide-ranging and numerous actions taken provide good practice examples that could be followed in other EU Member States. The UK government has undertaken a large number of capacity-building and cooperative actions both within the UK and with international actors. Some of the most prominent examples include the organisation of the high-level London Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade where the London Declaration on Illegal Wildlife Trade was adopted, the establishment of the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, which supports projects in the developing world focusing on the reduction of demand for endangered species, and the Government's support for the Global Tiger Initiative Multi Donor Trust Fund and the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC). Furthermore, numerous awareness-raising campaigns have been launched with the involvement of nongovernmental organisations (NGOs). The current domestic regulation on CITES, the Control of the Trade in Endangered Species (COTES) Regulation, is under review with the aim of further strengthening enforcement. There is a well-established institutional set up with various governmental actors involved in wildlife crime related issues. The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) within the UK Police Force and the UK Border Forces specialised CITES team based at Heathrow Airport play an important role in tackling wildlife crime. Furthermore, the UK Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW UK), a multi-agency group comprising representatives of statutory bodies and NGOs involved in wildlife law enforcement in the UK, is also a key player. Finally, national and international NGOs, such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC and the World Society for the Protection of the Animals (WSPA) also contribute to ending wildlife crime in the UK and to raising awareness of the issue. Details: Brussels: European Parliament, 2016. 31p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 22, 2016 at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2016/578963/IPOL_IDA%282016%29578963_EN.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2016/578963/IPOL_IDA%282016%29578963_EN.pdf Shelf Number: 138728 Keywords: Animal PoachingIllegal Wildlife Trade Organized Crime Trafficking in Wildlife Wild Animal Trade Wildlife Conservation Wildlife Crimes Wildlife Smuggling |
Author: von Kistowski, Kristin Title: Port State Performance: Putting Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing on the Radar Summary: Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is notorious for undermining efforts to manage fisheries sustainably and has detrimental environmental, social and economic consequences. Pew's Port State Performance research focuses on the role that port States play in abating IUU fishing by assessing how effectively they are implementing port State measures. As the situation stands, the system of port State measures lacks transparency, accountability and global reach, and is thus failing to close loopholes exploited by IUU operators and to keep IUU fish out of ports (flothmann et al. 2010). Without effective management of fish stocks, the outlook for global fisheries is bleak. Unscrupulous owners and operators of fishing vessels around the world continue to undermine fisheries management by disregarding regulations designed to conserve the marine environment. Just the unlawful aspects, namely illegal and unreported fishing, account for catches equivalent to approximately one-fifth of the global reported fish catch. In response to the consistent failure of many flag States to control IUU vessels on the high seas, the international community initiated an additional approach to tackling IUU fishing: port State measures. By adopting restrictive measures in ports where IUU catch is landed, port States can prevent IUU fish from entering international trade and finding their way into key markets. accordingly, national, regional and global initiatives have been focusing over the past decade on the adoption and implementation of increasingly stringent port State measures to combat IUU fishing. this has culminated in the negotiation of the agreement on Port State measures to Prevent, Deter and eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (PSMA), which was approved by the United nations food and agriculture organization (FAO) in November 2009. Once the PSMA enters into force, it will be the first legally binding international treaty designed solely to combat IUU fishing. The Pew Environment Group has undertaken the first comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of current port State measures and the implementation challenges that port States face. The study also assesses the central role that regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) play in the process. The research focuses on port State measures directed specifically at vessels on the IUU vessel lists adopted by RFMOs - vessels that have been found to engage in or support IUU fishing. Imposing sanctions on these vessels at port aims at rendering their operations less profitable and lucrative. This study reviews the IUU vessel lists of the following eight RFMO: (1) Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), (2) Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), (3) International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), (4) Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), (5) Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO), (6) North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC), (7) South East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (SEAFO), and (8) Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). The research consolidates six years of data on the movement of 178 IUU-listed vessels, tracking their port visits globally from January 2004 to December 2009. a single list of IUU vessels was compiled by combining the eight RFMOs' IUU vessel lists and supplemented with additional vessel identification information. Movement data on these IUU-listed vessels was obtained from commercial databases maintained by Lloyd's register - Fairplay (Sea-web), Lloyd's Marine Intelligence Unit (MIU) and shipspotting.com. This data set was supplemented with information from port logs, national fisheries authorities and RFMO secretariats. Details: Philadelphia: Pew Charitable Trusts, 2010. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 5, 2016 at: http://www.pewtrusts.org/~/media/post-launch-images/2015/04/2015_april_pew_port-state-performance--putting-iuu-on-radar(1).pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.pewtrusts.org/~/media/post-launch-images/2015/04/2015_april_pew_port-state-performance--putting-iuu-on-radar(1).pdf Shelf Number: 130028 Keywords: Illegal FishingUnregulated FishingWildlife Crimes |
Author: World Wildlife Fund Title: Illegal Fishing: Which fish species are at highest risk from illegal and unreported fishing? Summary: New analysis by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) finds that over 85 percent of global fish stocks can be considered at significant risk of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. This evaluation is based on the most recent comprehensive estimates of IUU fishing and includes the worlds' major commercial stocks or species groups, such as all those that are regularly assessed by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Based on WWF's findings, the majority of the stocks, 54 percent, are categorized as at high risk of IUU, with an additional 32 perent judged to be at moderate risk. Of the 567 stocks that were assessed, the findings show that 485 stocks fall into these two categories. More than half of the world's most overexploited stocks are at the highest risk of IUU fishing. Examining IUU risk by location, the WWF analysis shows that in more than one-third of the world's ocean basins as designated by the FAO, all of these stocks were at high or moderate risk of IUU fishing. The U.S. imports more than 100 different wild-caught species, which represent more than 400 diverse wild-caught products. In October 2015, the U.S. National Ocean Council (NOC) Working Group on IUU Fishing and Seafood Fraud released a list of species it identified as "at risk" of IUU fishing. While there is some alignment between the species the NOC identified as "at risk" of IUU fishing and the species identified in this study, the WWF analysis demonstrates that IUU fishing is pervasive across species and regions. An effective solution to ending IUU imports into the United States must ultimately address all species entering the U.S. market. Details: Washington, DC: WWF, 2015. 95p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 3, 2016 at: http://assets.worldwildlife.org/publications/834/files/original/Fish_Species_at_Highest_Risk_from_IUU_Fishing_WWF_FINAL.pdf?1446130921 Year: 2015 Country: International URL: http://assets.worldwildlife.org/publications/834/files/original/Fish_Species_at_Highest_Risk_from_IUU_Fishing_WWF_FINAL.pdf?1446130921 Shelf Number: 140136 Keywords: Fishing IndustryIllegal FishingMaritime Crime Unregulated FishingWildlife Crimes |
Author: Felbab-Brown, Vanda Title: Myanmar Maneuvers: How to Break Political-Criminal Alliances in Contexts of Transition Summary: The Myanmar case study analyzes the complex interactions between illegal economies - conflict and peace. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding the effects of illegal economies on Myanmar's political transitions since the early 1990s, including the current period, up through the first year of the administration of Aung San Suu Kyi. Described is the evolution of illegal economies in drugs, logging, wildlife trafficking, and gems and minerals as well as land grabbing and crony capitalism, showing how they shaped and were shaped by various political transitions. Also examined was the impact of geopolitics and the regional environment, particularly the role of China, both in shaping domestic political developments in Myanmar and dynamics within illicit economies. For decades, Burma has been one of the world's epicenters of opiate and methamphetamine production. Cultivation of poppy and production of opium have coincided with five decades of complex and fragmented civil war and counterinsurgency policies. An early 1990s laissez-faire policy of allowing the insurgencies in designated semi-autonomous regions to trade any products - including drugs, timber, jade, and wildlife - enabled conflict to subside. The incorporation of key drug traffickers and their assets into the state structures significantly strengthened the state and the military regime. The Burmese junta negotiated ceasefires with the insurgencies, and underpinned the agreements by giving the insurgent groups economic stakes in resource exploitation and illegal economies. Under pressure, including from China, opium poppy cultivation was suppressed in the late 1990s and early 2000s, even as unregulated and often illegal trade in timber, jade, and wildlife continued. Although local populations suffered major economic deprivation, the ceasefires lasted. The armed ethnic groups, however, did not lose their source of revenues, compensating for the diminished heroin business by switching to methamphetamines and, with the participation of Chinese businesses, augmenting the legal and illegal extraction of other resources, such as timber and gems. Since the middle of the 2000s, however, the ceasefires have started to break down, and violent conflict has escalated. As of this writing in February 2017, it is probably at its most intense at any time since the early 1990s. Among the reasons is the effort of the previous Myanmar government and military since 2008 as well as powerful Bamar and Chinese businessmen and powerbrokers (many linked to the military and military business conglomerates) to restructure the 1990s economic underpinnings of the ceasefires so their economic profits increase. Business conglomerates linked to the Tatmadaw, such as Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL), came to enjoy special access to the significant gem mines and other resource economies and trade more broadly, serving crucial political survival interests of the military. Control of the jade economy became a key enrichment and strategic priority for the junta. The military also sought to guarantee a steady pension for former Tatmadaw officials and soldiers and thus keep them from potentially rebelling. The MEHL and other military-linked economic conglomerates and cronies hence were accorded monopolies on the import of various consumer goods. Meanwhile, however, illegal and unregulated resource economies, including the drug trade, logging, mining, and wildlife trafficking, have thrived and devastate Burma's ecosystems, even as the plunder-underpinned peace has slid into war again. In 2011, the Myanmar military embarked on political and economic liberalization that, though a miscalculation of the military, culminated in the election of the Aung Sang Suu Kyi government in November 2015. However, the military has retained significant formal and informal power. Indeed, despite the military's electoral miscalculation, the entire transition had been at the discretion of the junta. Illicit economies played an integral part of the transition process, being a crucial element of the golden parachute that the junta awarded itself. Moreover, with its continuing lock on constitutional power, the military regime also guaranteed itself a sufficient budget. Any reforms that took place, including those directed at illicit economies, such as the embrace of greater transparency measures in mining, greater enforcement in logging, and the significant weakening the power of the cronies, were still at the direction of the military. Reforms and actions against illicit economies and organized crime that would not be advantageous to the military's institutional power or enrichment of key individuals have not taken place and could be subverted or vetoed by the key powerbrokers of the military. Similarly, the selective suppression of organized crime and aspects of the illicit economies has served crucial political and strategic objectives of the military. Nonetheless, under President Thein Sein, significant economic liberalization was in fact undertaken, with a surprising willingness to change economic arrangements with privileged economic actors. As a result of growing economic competition, the footprint of the military conglomerates and crony companies in the formal economy was reduced. Thein Sein also launched an anti-corruption drive, limited in its reach and determination mainly to the civil service, but nonetheless not insignificant. A comprehensive new land law was passed, and some stolen land was returned to local populations as a result of civil society mobilization. Details: Tokyo: United Nations University, 2017. 35p. Source: Internet Resource: Crime-Conflict Nexus Series: No 9: Accessed June 19, 2017 at: https://i.unu.edu/media/cpr.unu.edu/attachment/2445/Myanmar-Maneuvers-How-to-Break-Political-Criminal-Alliances-in-Contexts-of-Transition.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Burma URL: https://i.unu.edu/media/cpr.unu.edu/attachment/2445/Myanmar-Maneuvers-How-to-Break-Political-Criminal-Alliances-in-Contexts-of-Transition.pdf Shelf Number: 146260 Keywords: Crime-Conflict NexusIllegal DrugsIllegal LoggingResource ExploitationTrafficking in MineralsTrafficking in WildlifeWildlife CrimesWildlife Trafficking |
Author: Haenlein, Cathy Title: Below the Surface: How Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing Threatens our Security Summary: Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is conventionally treated by governments worldwide as the result of technical regulatory infringements. As such, it is often deemed a matter for industry regulators and dismissed as a trivial issue insofar as it relates to national security. This diagnosis is flawed. Certainly, IUU fishing is often small in scale and conducted by artisanal fishers out of ignorance of laws, or opportunism. Yet there is also evidence that much of today's IUU fishing activity takes place on an organised, systematic scale across multiple jurisdictions. Testament to this are the volumes involved. Although numerous difficulties affect such calculations, global losses to IUU fishing have been estimated at some $10-23.5 billion annually - equivalent to 11-26 million tonnes of fish per year. The result is the plunder of the world's oceans, threatening not only marine ecosystems, but also the security of human populations. Large-scale IUU fishing endangers food security, threatens livelihoods, undermines the rule of law and deprives states of revenues. It also intersects with other crimes, further amplifying the threat to security. Yet research on these security dimensions is limited and fragmented; our understanding of their dynamics remains partial. Policy and practical responses, meanwhile, remain ill-suited, failing to keep pace with the complexity of the threat posed. Recommendations This paper makes the following recommendations for governments, NGOs and international agencies looking to address the security dimensions of large-scale IUU fishing: 1. Recognise large-scale IUU fishing as transnational organised crime. There is a critical need for policymakers and practitioners to treat high-volume IUU fishing as more than a fisheries management problem. Large-scale IUU fishing is transnational organised crime and must be recognised and treated as such. A paradigm shift is needed in the way we view and respond to the phenomenon, to ensure that responses are commensurate with the scale, complexity and diversity of the threat faced. 2. Recognise large-scale IUU fishing as 'convergence crime'. Awareness that large-scale IUU fishing commonly occurs in conjunction with other crime types must increase. Policymakers must adapt to a more sophisticated operating reality, with front line investigators trained to recognise not just IUU fishing, but also crimes such as human trafficking and corruption. Broader responses must draw on expertise associated with all crime types involved, in an integrated, multi-agency approach. 3. Strengthen domestic legislation. States must strengthen fisheries legislation and harmonise all other relevant laws, such that penalties and the likelihood of their application create real deterrence. Domestic criminalisation must meet the criteria - a four-year minimum custodial sentence - for large-scale IUU fishing to qualify as serious crime under the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC). 4. Strengthen international responses. International-level reform is required to ensure that IUU fishing is recognised under UNTOC, conferring binding obligations on 179 states to cooperate on law enforcement action. Global bodies must also clarify roles and responsibilities, address overlapping mandates and deepen cooperative arrangements. 5. Strengthen monitoring and enforcement. Capacity building to interdict those engaged in large-scale IUU fishing and associated crimes must be provided. To further facilitate monitoring and enforcement, vessels above a certain size and/or operating beyond the jurisdiction of flag states must be required to have International Maritime Organization numbers - as must their owners. 6. Bolster information sharing. Overlaps between IUU fishing and other crimes challenge the common separation of national fisheries management and policing agencies. Flexibility is needed to match perpetrators' shifting portfolios, as is stronger collaboration between coast guards, customs, immigration, anti-narcotics, fisheries management and financial crime agencies, as well as international organisations. 7. Expand regional approaches and partnerships. Promising initiatives already underway must be more fully resourced and prioritised. Innovative regional and multisectoral approaches, such as FISH-i Africa, should be expanded, scaled up and replicated as models in other, particularly financially constrained, locations. 8. Bolster efforts to prevent fish laundering. More states must be persuaded to ratify the Food and Agriculture Organization's Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU Fishing, to ensure that no port is used as a shelter for non-compliance. Implementation of the Agreement must also be supported through sustained capacity building in developing coastal and small-island states. 9. Expand multilateral initiatives. In light of its organised and poly-threat nature, the priority assigned to large-scale IUU fishing under multilateral maritime security initiatives should increase. Defence and security-focused programmes that prioritise maritime security but exclude IUU fishing should be expanded to include it. 10. Follow the money. Financial investigation tools should be used to reveal ownership information, uncover money laundering and tax fraud, and make strategic arrests of the true beneficiaries of high-volume IUU fishing. To enable this, legislative reform in many jurisdictions to provide for IUU fishing as a predicate offence to money laundering is crucial. 11. Prosecute under alternative legislation. Crime convergence provides options to arrest and prosecute perpetrators using laws other than those relating to fisheries. For example, prosecution of large-scale IUU operators under economic crimes legislation may increase the prospects for imposing substantial penalties where associated crimes carry weightier sentences. 12. End use of flags of convenience. To bolster enforcement, the exploitation of flags of convenience must be ended. This could be achieved by encouraging flag-of-convenience states to close registries, by requiring coastal states not to issue licences to flag-of-convenience vessels, and by pursuing action by regional fisheries management organisations and international bodies. Details: London: Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI), 2017. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Occasional Papers: Accessed July 29, 2017 at: https://rusi.org/sites/default/files/201707_rusi_below_the_surface_haenlein.pdf Year: 2017 Country: International URL: https://rusi.org/sites/default/files/201707_rusi_below_the_surface_haenlein.pdf Shelf Number: 146595 Keywords: Fishing IndustryIllegal FishingOrganized CrimeUnregulated FishingWildlife Crimes |
Author: Hosch, Gilles Title: Seafood traceability for fisheries compliance: Country-level support for catch documentation schemes Summary: This document explores ways in which individual countries in seafood supply chains can, in their capacities as coastal, flag, port, processing or end-market states, contribute to maximizing the effectiveness of catch documentation schemes. The focus is on the traceability of seafood consignments, but the authors also explore other important compliance mechanisms that lie beyond traceability and that support the effective implementation of catch documentation schemes at the country level. The document explains which traceability mechanisms are built into catch documentation schemes, and which additional support mechanisms must be provided by individual countries along seafood supply chains. The study finds that traditional fisheries monitoring, inspection and sanctioning mechanisms are of primary importance with regard to flag, coastal and end-market states, whereas effective country-level traceability mechanisms are of particular importance in port and processing states. The text is segmented into three parts: - The first part - Chapters 1 to 3 - introduces the study and the methodology used, and describes the functioning of catch documentation schemes. - The second part - Chapter 4 - provides findings with regard to country-level support mechanisms for catch documentation schemes for each state type participating in seafood supply chains. - The third part - Chapter 5 - provides conclusions, recommendations and policy guidance on the basis of the findings in the second part. Details: Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2018. 114p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 20, 2018 at: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i8183e.pdf Year: 2018 Country: International URL: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i8183e.pdf Shelf Number: 149184 Keywords: Fishing Industry Illegal Fishing Maritime Crime Offenses Against the Environment Supply Chains Unregulated Fishing Wildlife Crimes |
Author: Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) Title: Party to the Plunder: Illegal Fishing in Guinea and its links to the EU Summary: - Illegal fishing by foreign trawlers in Guinea's coastal zone is widespread and increasing, despite the attention that has been focussed on illegal fishing by the international community in recent years. - Marine resources and the coastal communities that depend upon them are suffering from unsustainable fishing activities, including massive bycatch and discards, problems that are being significantly compounded by the presence of illegal fishing vessels. - Illegal fishing is aided by the widespread use of flags of convenience that are used to conceal the identity of the true beneficial vessel owners. Various tactics are used to confuse the identity of fishing vessels, including multiple vessel names and frequent changes in name and registry. Penalising wrongdoers can therefore be very difficult, and penalties do not in many cases serve as sufficient deterrent given the lucrative gains to be made from illegal fishing. - Some of the vessels arrested by Guinean authorities have been seen in Las Palmas, Spain, suggesting that illegal fish is being marketed in the European Community. Once the fish has been landed in Las Palmas, it is extremely difficult to track it to its final market destination. There are significant problems in the traceability of fish within the EU to ensure that illegally-caught fish does not enter the marketplace. - Guinea has serious problems in keeping these illegally operating vessels at bay, given their lack of logistical and financial resources. A unique and novel experimental method has been tried in recent years by integrating artisanal fishermen in the surveillance system. Despite its promising beginning, the programme is currently facing difficulties and international support is decreasing. - Regional efforts and cooperation need to be enhanced in order to ensure that enforcement efforts in one area do not result in displacement of illegal activity to more remote areas where surveillance is lacking. - The European Union, as a major market for Guinean fish and an important partner though its bilateral fisheries agreement, has an important role to play. Crucially, the EU must take steps to ensure that it does not facilitate or promote IUU fishing in Guinea, by examining traceability from the sea to the marketplace; ensuring that fishing agreements promote sustainable and legal fisheries; remedying the role of Las Palmas in IUU fishing; and the involvement of EU nationals and associated companies in undertaking IUU fishing in Guinea and elsewhere in the region. Details: London: EJF, 2005. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 9, 2018 at: https://ejfoundation.org/resources/downloads/party-to-the-plunder.pdf Year: 2005 Country: Guinea URL: https://ejfoundation.org/resources/downloads/party-to-the-plunder.pdf Shelf Number: 149416 Keywords: Fishing Industry Illegal Fishing Maritime Crime Offenses Against the Environment Unregulated FishingWildlife Crimes |
Author: Niskanen, Leo Title: Strengthening Local Community Engagement in Combatting Illegal Wildlife Trade: Case studies from Kenya Summary: The illegal wildlife trade (IWT) and associated poaching - particularly of iconic species such as African elephants and rhinos - is one of the highest profile conservation challenges today. A recent analysis by the World Bank (Wright et al., 2016) estimated that donors have contributed over $1.3 billion to tackling IWT since 2010. There is growing recognition among practitioners and policy makers of the need to engage and invest in rural communities that neighbour or live with wildlife as key partners in tackling IWT, particularly as they form a "first line of defence". However, to date, this strategy has received far less attention than other approaches including law enforcement and demand reduction. This is partly because there is no "one size fits all" solution to community engagement and a framework to guide such interventions on the ground has been lacking. In response, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and partners developed a dynamic Theory of Change (ToC) that seeks to better understand the different incentives and disincentives that influence whether local people engage in IWT or help to prevent it. An initial draft of the ToC was developed for a workshop led by the IUCN Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group (SULi) held in the run up to the Kasane Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade in 2015 (IUCN SULi et al 2015) and was subsequently refined through expert consultation. The ToC identifies four causal pathways for community-level actions, each underpinned by a series of key assumptions. The four pathways are: (a) strengthening disincentives for illegal behaviour; b) increasing incentives for wildlife stewardship; c) decreasing costs of living with wildlife; and d) supporting non-wildlife related livelihoods. Underlying all four pathways are a number of "enabling actions" to strengthen governance from the local to national to regional and to international scale including supporting the institutional framework to enforce against IWT; increasing the perceived fairness of wildlife laws; strengthening laws for community management of and benefit from wildlife; and fighting corruption. In addition, underlying all the actions in the ToC is the need for enhancing community capacity - to both manage and benefit from wildlife. The ToC is informed by situational crime prevention (SCP) theory. SCP recognises that any individual is capable of committing an offence at any time if the opportunity arises, and that the likelihood of the opportunity arising is completely context specific. SCP is based on five key principles: increase the effort, increase the risks, reduce the rewards, reduce provocation, and remove excuses (Clark 2009). While the four pathways in our ToC do not directly mirror these principles, many of the strategies that underlie the SCP principles are reflected in the pathways, particularly Pathway A on increasing the disincentives for illegal activities and Pathway C on reducing the costs of living with wildlife. Our ToC however goes beyond SCP to also explicitly focus on increasing positive incentives for "good behaviour" - wildlife stewardship and alternative livelihoods. The SCP framework was developed in a context of general, non-wildlife related, crime prevention where such incentives are generally not relevant. In a wildlife management context, however, decades of experience of community based wildlife management point to their importance. It should also be noted that our ToC focuses explicitly on community based interventions to tackle IWT and does not take account of efforts to reduce IWT through other means. Our ToC is just one part of the bigger puzzle. If evidence shows that IWT is declining or increasing in a particular location - be it at the local, regional or national scale - our ToC can help explain how community based approaches may have contributed to those observed outcomes. It is not intended to explore how other types of intervention such as conventional top-down law enforcement might also have contributed. It also cannot show causal linkages between community actions and IWT outcomes. The Strengthening Local Community Engagement in Combatting Illegal Wildlife Trade project (2016-2018) intends to test the ToC with the aim of further refining it and then providing practical guidance to conservation programme designers, implementers, donors and policymakers who have an interest in engaging communities to tackle IWT. Funded by UKaid through the UK government's Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund (IWTCF), the project is implemented by IUCN (IUCN East and Southern Africa Regional Office, Conservation Areas & Species programme; the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) African Elephant Specialist Group (AfESG); and the IUCN Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group (SULi)) in partnership with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED); Royal Roads University; Big Life Foundation (BLF); the Cottar's Wildlife Conservation Trust (CWCT); and the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association (KWCA). The project is also sharing lessons and methodologies with the South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO), which works with Maasai communities in a large swathe of southern Kenya to help develop and enhance a network of conservancies and to strengthen its community-based approaches to reducing IWT. The project's long term goal is "More effective and widespread community engagement in tackling IWT resulting in reduction in pressure on African elephant populations and increased benefits from improved wildlife stewardship." The anticipated outcome of the project is "The conditions for stronger engagement of local communities to combat - rather than participate in - IWT while positively contributing to local livelihoods is better understood and forms the basis of practical guidance for anti-IWT policy and programme development in Kenya (and beyond)." Details: Nairobi: IUCN, International Institute for Environment and Development, 2018. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 23, 2018 at: https://www.iucn.org/sites/dev/files/content/documents/olderkesi_kilitome_case_study_final_press_ver.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Kenya URL: https://www.iucn.org/sites/dev/files/content/documents/olderkesi_kilitome_case_study_final_press_ver.pdf Shelf Number: 150325 Keywords: Illegal Wildlife TradeWildlife ConservationWildlife CrimesWildlife Management |