International body investigates Guyana’s dolphin trade …head of Wildlife Authority already sent on leave
Kaieteur News
June 21, 2004
THE Secretariat of Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) has been made aware of “proposed” trade in live bottlenose dolphins from Guyana and is reviewing supporting documentation provided by the Guyana Government.
The Secretariat said the trade in dolphins is “proposed” but the last shipment of dolphins left Guyana on May 21 for Mexico and was exported by a top government official.
Kaieteur News understands that this shipment is under investigation by the Board of the local Wildlife Authority. Irregularities at the Authority have prompted the Board to send the General Manager, Khalawan, on leave, and mount a probe on the operations of division.
The Secretariat, in a statement yesterday, said that it has been made aware of serious concerns regarding a number of recent cases of trade in live dolphins.
The Secretariat said that certain statements made in the media, and in correspondence to the Secretariat, there are allegations and interpretations of the Convention that are clearly inaccurate and sometimes misleading.
Trade in dolphins of species included in the Convention is not allowed when the importation is for primarily commercial purposes or for purposes which are considered detrimental to the survival of the species; the exportation is considered to be detrimental to the survival of the species; the specimens have been obtained illegally; or the proposed recipient is not suitably equipped to house and care for the animals.
The Convention describes the responsibilities of both the Management and Scientific Authorities for these issues in the country of export and in the country of import. The Secretariat said several organizations have recently written about trade in dolphins of an Appendix-I species that took place in 1999 between Thailand and Singapore.
The Secretariat has contacted the Management Authorities of the countries concerned with a request for detailed information. Until it receives replies, the Secretariat said it is inappropriate for it to comment further.
Trade in bottlenose dolphins and animals of other species, listed in Appendix II to the Convention, is allowed under certain conditions: the export must not be detrimental to the survival of the species and the animals must have been legally obtained and exported. Shipments must also be in accordance with the IATA Live Animal Regulations. The Convention contains no specifications with regard to the use and housing of the animals in the importing country, which is - unlike for Appendix-I species - not required to issue an import permit.
The Secretariat said that it is continuing to investigate trade in live bottlenose dolphins between the Solomon Islands and Mexico.
Trade in live bottlenose dolphins from Guinea-Bissau has also been reported but the Secretariat has been further advised that the species is totally protected under national legislation and that these reports on trade are unfounded.
The CITES Secretary-General, Willem Wijnstekers, said, “I recognize that many people are against trade in live animals and particularly against trade in live marine mammals for a variety of reasons.
“That is one reason why we are particularly alert to possible cases of illegal trade and (also for Appendix II species) follow up allegations. One should realize, however, that when trade is legal, the decision on whether it takes place is not taken by the CITES Secretariat. “It is therefore not very useful to lobby the Secretariat or to inundate my staff or myself with standard-type e-mail. In fact this is counter-productive. I only have a small team of people and emails, or other campaigns, hamper our efforts to investigate information on alleged illegal trade in wildlife seriously.
“It is sufficient to be informed once about each case. Equally counter-productive is the time we are required to spend on correcting misinformation and wrong statements about what is or not permitted under CITES.
“We have a very informative website which also provides us with a means to disseminate information quickly and widely. We will of course be as responsive as we can to queries from the public and the media, but our communication on issues that generate significant interest is managed through the website rather than through separate replies to individuals. I am sure people will understand this.”