Sweeping scientific data under a polar bear skin rug: The IUCN and the proposed listing of polar bears under CITES Appendix I

In 2008 the US Government listed the polar bear as “threatened” under the US Endangered Species Act, largely due to scientific analyses of climate change data and polar bear distribution conducted by the US Geological Survey (USGS), which projected a 2/3 reduction in the polar bear population within the next 40 years. In 2009 the US Government announced that it would submit a proposal to the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora to uplist polar bears from CITES Appendix II to Appendix I. A report produced by the IUCN/Traffic stated that this was not warranted. However, the IUCN/Traffic report did not consider the USGS data noted above. Ultimately the proposal for CITES uplisting failed. In this paper we examine the differences in the IUCN/Traffic report and the best available science, and conclude that listing polar bears under CITES Appendix I was scientifically warranted.     

Polar bears and CITES: A rejoinder to Parsons and Cornick

In 2010 a US proposal to uplist polar bears to Appendix I of CITES was rejected. Parsons and Cornick (2011, [1]) critiqued this decision and the IUCN/TRAFFIC analysis that supported it. Their critique overlooks several important dimensions of polar bear conservation. Foremost, they failed to explore what subsistence hunting actually means in this context. Paradoxically, prohibiting international trade through CITES might actually increase the number of bears killed by northern Aboriginal peoples. Second, they misread the scope of the IUCN/TRAFFIC recommendation. Third, uplisting polar bears under CITES would allow national governments to claim they are saving polar bears through a decision that only addresses peripheral threats and diverts attention from insufficient action to mitigate climate change: the factor that Parsons and Cornick rightly point out as the primary threat to polar bears.     

Towards integrated coastal management in Solomon Islands: Identifying strategic issues for governance reform

This paper evaluates governance arrangements in Solomon Islands in terms of their ability to achieve the integrated management of coastal environments. The paper uses a modified version of the framework proposed by Ehler CN [Indicators in measure governance performance in integrated coastal management. Ocean & Coastal Management 2003; 46: 335–345] for evaluating governance performance. The results point to a systemic failure of coastal governance in Solomon Islands. The paper identifies the strategic issues for governance reform if the management of coastal environments and resources in Solomon Islands is to be improved.     

Marine aquarium trade in India: Challenges and opportunities for conservation and policy

The collection of marine taxa for the aquarium trade continues to demand live animals be extracted from reefs, but in doing so, offers economic benefits for local communities. To improve our understanding of the status of marine aquariumtrade in India, information on harvested species and their volume was gathered at the major collection hubs (Tuticorin, Kilakarai and Mandapam) in the Gulf of Mannar region, and compared to the export data. During one year, 87 species of fish (51% belonging to the family Pomacentridae) and 21 species of invertebrates were harvested for the trade. The conservation status of exploited species revealed that nearly 50% (n=43) have not been assessed for their extinction risk by the IUCN, while of the 44 species assessed, 41 were Least Concern (LC), and one each was in the Data Deficient (DD), Near Threatened (NT) and Endangered (EN) categories. While many fish were collected, only a few were exported from India. The sea anemones were the major export as they were of a higher value in the international markets, largely attributed to their color patterns. Price discrepancies within the trade value of marine fishes and invertebrates used for the aquarium trade indicated that price increased approximately 200% at each transition in the value chain (collectors to wholesalers, wholesalers to retailers). Management strategies and conservation plans for India's marine ornamental taxa subjected to exploitation are provided so as to ensure long-term sustainability of the coral reef ecosystems, as well as the livelihood that are dependent on them.     

North Africa as a source for European eel following the 2010 EU CITES eel trade ban

In 2007 CITES included the Critically Endangered European eel on its Appendix II, thereby regulation international trade. In 2010 the EU member states adopted a ‘zero-quota’ policy thereby banning all commercial international trade. Given the continued high demand for eel in East Asia shifts have occurred to source European eel from non-EU eel range countries. Using official export figures from two independent databases, I here quantify to what extend Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria are fulfilling this demand. The ban had little effect on the annual export volumes in live eel from Morocco (mean of 41.3 metric ton / year), Algeria (15.5 t) or Tunisia (56.2 t) or chilled/frozen eel from Algeria (11.7 t) and Tunisia (20.0 t) but this trade from Morocco increased significantly (from 27.4 to 237.2 t). Prior to the ban the trade in eel from North Africa was almost exclusively to European countries (live 93–98%) and very little to East Asia, whereas after the ban East Asia became the main importer (live 91–93%). The monetary value of the trade totalled US$126 million and did not increase over time, but the importance of the live eel trade increase from 76% prior to the ban to 93% after. It is unclear on what basis Morocco and Tunisia were able to decide what level of trade was not detrimental to the survival of European eel in the wild, and I argue for better monitoring to ensure that international trade is not an impediment to the conservation of European eel.     

CITES-listings,EU eel trade bans and the increase of export of tropical eels out of Indonesia

Following the decision in 2007 by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to include European eel Anguilla anguilla on its Appendix II, and the 2010 ban of all eel exports by EU member states, a shift has occurred to tropical Asian eel species to meet the demand from East Asia. Here the focus is on the role Indonesia played in fulfilling this demand using official export figures, reports in the Indonesian media and government documents. Despite Indonesia first putting in place restrictions on the export of eel in 1974 the export has increased exponentially over the last 25 years. Prior to the EU ban it exported ~1.4 million kg/year. With the infrastructure in place, and close trade links to East Asia, and helped by government encouragement, Indonesia was in an excellent position to step in where the EU posed restrictions. Exports increased to 3.2 million kg/year (2007–2009), to 4.0 million kg/year (2010–2012), and to 6.1 million kg (2013). The interest in eel trade in Indonesia increased in parallel with the exports. From 2010 onwards the searches for the Indonesian equivalent of eel (“ikan sidat”) became frequent enough for it to be picked up by Google Trends. Indonesia is home to five species of eel, and while it is unclear in what quantities each is traded, Indonesian media reports suggest that the majority comprises A. bicolar and A. marmorata. More stringent management schemes, possibly including CITES-listing, and better monitoring are needed to ensure that international trade is not an impediment to the conservation of tropical eels.     

Photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins in the far south of New Zealand indicates a ‘new’, previously unstudied population

Declines in the abundance of bottlenose dolphins in the Bay of Islands and in Doubtful Sound have contributed to the species being classified as Nationally Endangered in New Zealand waters. Updated information on distribution and abundance nationwide is therefore a high priority. This study presents data from the first photo-identification surveys of Paterson Inlet, Stewart Island, conducted to document bottlenose dolphin presence, abundance and residency. Open-population mark-recapture models indicate that 18 (95%CI = 15–20) dolphins regularly use Paterson Inlet. Photo-identification of dolphins from unknown populations during two chance encounters in Otago Harbour and Dusky Sound included 11 individuals previously identified at Stewart Island. These results indicate that dolphins found regularly at Stewart Island are part of a larger, wide ranging southern population with a minimum population abundance of 92 (95%CI = 80–111) individuals.     

One size does not fit all: Critical insights for effective community-based resource management in Melanesia

In recent years, Fiji's approach of combining traditional systems of community-based coastal management and modern management systems has become a successful blueprint for marine conservation, particularly the Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) network model. As a result of this success, conservation practitioners have imported the Fiji LMMA model to the Solomon Islands and in Vanuatu in hope of replicating the purported success attained in Fiji. This paper argues that because tenure systems and associated political systems in Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu are substantially different, one cannot simply extrapolate the more centralized tenurial and political Fiji model to the decentralized tenurial and politically eclectic Solomons and Vanuatu. This paper provides an analysis of some of the various approaches used in these countries to make a case for why socio-political diversity and historical particulars matter to resource management and conservation-in-practice (and for any development interventions). By examining examples of various nested and polycentric governance approaches—family, community, tribal, confederations, local community-based organizations (CBOs), and Church—it elucidate not only some of the differences between Fiji and Solomon Islands/Vanuatu, but also between Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. This provides critical insights into some of the myriad of factors impinging on conservation aspirations in these countries and may offer some alternative ways forward not currently considered by conservation practitioners. Finally, the paper provides some guidelines to how to increase the long-term success of marine conservation programs for fisheries management and community-based management initiatives in the region.     

Economic impact of climate change and climate change adaptation strategies for fisheries sector in Solomon Islands: Implication for food security

Fisheries resources play a major role in the national economy and to food security in Solomon Islands. Climate change is likely to have a substantial impact on fish production that can lead to a fragile food security condition in the country. This paper assesses the potential economic impact of three important climate change adaptation strategies – natural resource management (NRM), fish aggregating devices (FAD) and aquaculture – in Solomon Islands. The study used a country-specific partial equilibrium economic model with six fish sub-sectors and analyzed potential impact of alternate climate change adaptation strategies for 2035 and 2050. The modeling and scenario analyses show that total fish demand is likely to surpass domestic fish production in 2050. Without appropriate climate adaptation strategy, per capita consumption of domestically produced fish will decline, which has serious negative food security implications for the country. The economic (welfare) analysis conducted based on modeling results show that the national level net economic gains due to climate change adaptation strategies are substantial. If cost and topographic conditions permit, low-cost inshore FADs are expected to be a good mechanism for augmenting domestic supplies of tuna and similar species in Solomon Islands.     

Compressive tectonism along the eastern margin of Malaita Island (Solomon Islands)

New bathymetric and geophysical data were collected in the region east of the island of Malaita during the SOPACMAPS II cruise of the French research vessel L'ATALANTE. This region, part of the Malaita Anticlinorium was interpreted as a piece of oceanic crust from the Ontong Java Plateau obducted over the old Solomon Islands arc during collision between the Pacific and Australian plates. It has been generally accepted that convergent motion between the Australia and Pacific plates since the Late Miocene was absorbed exclusively along the San Cristobal trench, southwest of the Solomon Islands Arc.Bathymetry, imagery, and geophysical data (magnetism, gravity, seismic) acquired during the SOPACMAPS II survey allow us to classify the successive parallel ridges mapped within the region as being recent volcanic, oceanic crust, or deformed sedimentary ridges.Seismic profiling provides evidence of successive compressive events along the Malaita margin caused by the relative motion between the Solomon Islands and the Pacific plate. The main phase of convergence probably occurred during Oligocene-early Miocene time, but some relative motion between the two domains are still being absorbed along the East Malaita boundary. The existence of active faulting in the sedimentary cover throughout the region and the present-day deformation of the outer sedimentary ridge is a good illustration of this phenomenon.     

The socio-economic context for improving food security through land based aquaculture in Solomon Islands: A peri-urban case study

Future fish demand-supply scenarios project that investment in aquaculture will be needed to ensure fish for food security in Solomon Islands. In 2010 a study of two peri-urban areas of Solomon Islands analysed the demand and potential for inland aquaculture, and the role of the introduced Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) in household livelihoods and existing value chains. Of 178 households interviewed, marine reef fish were the preferred fish for consumption, although tinned fish was also common. At the study sites, Mozambique tilapia was accessible and contributed to food security, particularly for inland households. Sixty five percent of the people actively fished for tilapia at least monthly; 13% of these fished on almost a daily basis. Fish were consumed by men, women and children and sold by both men and women in local village markets. Mozambique tilapia is considered to perform poorly in aquaculture. While other species like Nile tilapia or milkfish (Chanos chanos) are being considered for aquaculture by the Solomon Islands Government, Mozambique tilapia is currently the only cost-effective and widely available alternative for farming fish for household food security. This study lends weight to the premise that peri-urban households that are cash poor are likely to benefit nutritionally from easier access to tilapia or other freshwater fish.     

The Stability of Tide Gauges in the South Pacific Determined from Multiepoch Geodetic Levelling, 1992 to 2010

Tide gauge data is important for determining global or local sea level rise with respect to a global geocentric reference frame. Data from repeated precise levelling connections between the tide gauges and a series of coastal and inland benchmarks, including Continuous GPS (CGPS) benchmarks, are used to determine the stability of tide gauges at 12 locations in the South Pacific. The method for determining this stability is based on a constant velocity model which minimises the net movement amongst a set of datum benchmarks surveyed since the installation of the tide gauges. When assessed at a 95% confidence interval, and with the exception of the Solomon Islands, none of the tide gauges were found to be in motion relative to their CGPS benchmarks. The Solomon Islands estimate is considered to be unreliable since the CGPS benchmark was recently established and has been surveyed fewer than three times. In Tonga and Cook Islands, the tide gauges were found to be disturbed or affected by survey errors whereas the Vanuatu results were affected by earthquakes.     

Environmental factors influencing macrodetritus flux in North Inlet estuary

Floating macrodetritus transport was determined on 72 tidal cycles over 18 months. Floating macrodetritus was exported from the marsh-estuarine ecosystem to the Atlantic Ocean, but export was low (less than 1% of Spartina net aerial primary production). Season and processes within the system seem to determine ebb flux, while flood flux is best explained by a semi-lunar cycle or high water. The extensive observations reported here indicate macrodetritus probably should not be considered a major source of organic carbon export from marsh-estuarine systems.     

Photogrammetry using in-field calibration: a non-invasive tool for predicting sex and life stages tested on Hector's dolphins in the wild

Accurate data on sex and life stage are essential for building realistic population models, which in turn are essential for sustainable conservation management. This case study develops and validates an improved photogrammetry method that allows for in-field calibration. The method was used to measure Hector's dolphins’ dorsal fins in the wild. Seven independent measurements of one dolphin resulted in a coefficient of variation of 1.39% for fin base length and 2.33% for fin height. Test measurements on shore at different distances and angles resulted in a mean error smaller than 1% up to a distance of 10?m and an angle of 40°. Dorsal fin dimensions from necropsied Hector's dolphins were analysed to evaluate the potential of predicting sex and life stage based on a dorsal fin measured in the wild. Dorsal fin shape was significantly related to sex. However, sex estimations based on this model turned out to be not accurate enough to replace traditional sexing methods for Hector's dolphins. Fin base length was significantly related to life stage for females. Estimations based on this model appear to be accurate.     

伊洛瓦底海豚被追逐时回声定位信号特征变化的初步分析

本文的研究基于文莱湾浅水域的一头野生伊洛瓦底海豚水声定位信号的调查数据。在记录期间,有一艘渔船突然开启发动机,惊扰了其附近的一头伊洛瓦底海豚,接着渔船开始两次连续追逐海豚。这期间海豚回声定位信号的变化情况被记录下来。当伊洛瓦底海豚受惊吓被追逐时,信号的声压级、每分钟嘀嗒声信号串的发生次数、每个嘀嗒声信号串中的脉冲个数和平均脉冲间隔都发生了相应的变化。平均的脉冲间隔在事件发生的瞬间立即增大,并在追逐期间呈现轻微下降趋势。脉冲间隔的增大对应着探测距离的增加,代表着海豚对未知区域的探索能力,制约着它的逃离速度。数据记录结果的分析表明,伊洛瓦底海豚会根据外界干扰对发出的回声定位信号进行调整,改变自己对潜在危险的探查能力。分析结果同时提醒我们需要随海豚生存环境的噪声进行管理,避免突然的发动机操作或者追逐它们。     

The flux of floating macrodetritus in the North inlet estuarine ecosystem

An estimate of floating macrodetritus flux in a salt marsh-dominated estuarine ecosystem indicates that this material is exported regularly. However, the amount of macrodetrital material exported is small, less than 1% of the net marsh primary productivity. The export of floating macrodetritus is seasonal with maximum values in summer.     

海底电缆工程对中华白海豚的影响研究——以厦门英春—围里海底电缆工程为例

中华白海豚是国家一级重点保护水生哺乳动物,厦门湾是中华白海豚的重要栖息地之一。文章以厦门英春—围里海底电缆工程为例,评价工程建设对中华白海豚及其栖息地的影响,并提出中华白海豚的保护措施,以期为海洋工程建设对水生野生保护动物的保护管理提供借鉴。     

我国大黄鱼的出口贸易结构和国际竞争力

我国是全球最大的大黄鱼养殖国和出口国。为提升我国大黄鱼的产业发展和国际贸易水平,文章分析我国大黄鱼的出口贸易结构,分别采用显性比较优势指数、出口产品质量升级指数和贸易竞争力指数分析我国大黄鱼的国际竞争力,并在分析影响因素的基础上提出建议。研究结果表明:2008—2017年我国大黄鱼的出口规模总体稳定,出口额增长,出口量下降;我国大黄鱼的出口市场集中在亚洲国家和地区;我国大黄鱼的比较优势极强但正在减弱,以出口价格反映的产品质量偶有下降但总体提升,相对于国际市场同种产品的竞争优势较强,总体来看国际竞争力较高,但仍有提升的空间;影响我国大黄鱼出口贸易结构和国际竞争力的因素主要包括地区饮食习惯、相关行业发展、国际贸易壁垒和产业发展空间,未来我国大黄鱼的生产和贸易应充分发挥产业比较优势、合理规划产业发展空间、积极开拓新兴出口市场和有效应对国际贸易壁垒。     

Whether to employ trade controls or fisheries management to conserve precious corals (Coralliidae) in the Northern Pacific Ocean

Precious corals (Coralliidae) have been a part of numerous aspects of human life and culture for several millennia. They differ from reef-building corals and primarily inhabit deep waters. Their characteristics of a slow renewal rate and high commercial value make them a frangible resource that is easily overexploited. Proposals to manage the main species with high commercial value through trade controls and listing in Appendix II were submitted to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 2007 and 2010. Two of the main arguments for the northern Pacific precious coral CITES proposal were the more than 60–80% decline of Corallium secundum and C. sp. nov. in landings since 1980s and lack of proper management. Although both proposals were rejected, they have sparked debates regarding the benefits of managing coral resources through trade controls and fisheries management. In this study, several arguments related to this topic on northern Pacific precious corals are presented, in the following three dimensions: (1) a reconstructed historical landing series from official FAO data and information on the history of coral fishing have scientifically indicated that the substantial decline in landings in the late 1980s was caused by the abandonment of fishing grounds and a shift in the target species; (2) enhanced management plans, which incorporate effective monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) measures, have been implemented in the two main countries that fish precious coral; and (3) the influence of socioeconomic factors must be considered when assessing CITES listing applications. Recommendations for achieving sustainable coral resource conservation are also provided.     

西沙群岛珊瑚藻科的研究Ⅰ

珊瑚藻科都是海生藻类,其细胞壁中含有大量的碳酸钙,外形犹如动物珊瑚,分枝或不分枝,还有些呈片状或块状。紧贴在基质上,故有珊瑚藻之称。珊瑚藻科通常分两个亚科:藻体的直立部分分节,即钙化的节间(intergenicula)和不钙化的节(genicula)接连相间的,属于有节珊瑚藻亚科(Corallinoideae);藻体不分节而全面钙化,紧贴生长在基质上,有的种类其藻体表面并具各式各样甚至是分枝状的突起的,属于无节珊瑚藻亚科(Melo besioideae)。 由于珊瑚藻类的藻体内含有大量的钙质,同其他的红藻相比较,在进行其形态研究和种类鉴定的工作中就必然会遇到一些额外的困难,需要多作些处理,也即是说,首先需要用各种含酸的去钙剂溶解掉其藻体内的钙质,而后才能进行组织观察或切片,并作出比较正确的种类鉴定。正由于存在着这些困难,早期的藻类学家多偏于根据珊瑚藻的外部形态特征来鉴定其种类。这当然是很不够的,以致造成了珊瑚藻类在分类学研究上的混乱现象。 藻类研究工作者们过去对我国的珊瑚藻类还没有进行过比较系统的研究。通过近几年的调查,我们更加感到这项研究工作是很有现实意义的。我们发现在一些海区,例如山东黄县一带所产的药用海浮石竟全都是块状珊瑚藻类。另外,根据近两年来中国科学院海洋研究所的同志赴我国西沙群岛进行实地调查,带回来的丰富资料完全证实了我们过去的推断,在我国南海诸岛珊瑚礁的造礁过程中除了动物珊瑚外,还有一些珊瑚藻,特别是皮壳状的珊瑚藻类确实是起了相当重要的作用的一一在一些珊瑚环礁迎浪一面的礁缘上,这些珊瑚藻繁生特盛,形成了所谓“藻脊”(algal-ridge)。这同Taylor在马绍尔群岛以及 Womersley和Bailey在所罗门群岛所发现并描述的情况基本上是一致的。本文所用的材料就是中国科学院海洋研究所1956-1958年,特别是近两年来先后在我国西沙群岛进行调查时采获的珊瑚藻标本所鉴定的一部分种类。鉴定工作还在进行中,有关的研究结果今后将陆续发表。