Home http://cclme.iwlearn.org These are the search results for the query, showing results 1 to 15. yellow-implementing-and-executing-agencies-blue-regional-project-coordination-red-national-project-coordination.jpg http://cclme.iwlearn.org/en/about/copy_of_project-structure-1/yellow-implementing-and-executing-agencies-blue-regional-project-coordination-red-national-project-coordination.jpg No publisher Taya Santives 2013-02-27T07:48:59Z Image WWF: Five species of sharks proposed for CITES listing http://cclme.iwlearn.org/en/resources/news-items/wwf/336f0c741924cf6c79a7e1bdfefe4483 Carlos Drews, head of WWF's delegation at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) issued the following statement today in response to decisions from world governments to offer better protection for five species of sharks: "This is a landmark moment showing that the world's governments support sustainable fisheries and are concerned about the reckless over-exploitation of sharks for commercial use. Like thousands and probably millions of other sharks each year, this scalloped hammerhead shark is finned alive and thrown overboard to drown (Sphyrna lewini) previously caught on longline fishing hook, Cocos Island, Costa Rica, Pacific Ocean, WHS © naturepl.com/Jeff Rotman / WWFCarlos Drews, head of WWF's delegation at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) issued the following statement today in response to decisions from world governments to offer better protection for five species of sharks:

"This is a landmark moment showing that the world's governments support sustainable fisheries and are concerned about the reckless over-exploitation of sharks for commercial use. Today's decision will go a long way in slowing down the frenzied overfishing of sharks that is pushing them to the brink of collapse to feed the luxury goods market."

"Regulating the trade of marine species like sharks, which are facing unprecedented commercial pressures, is key to saving them and ensuring our oceans contribute to food security by staying healthy and productive".

"It has been shown today that governments followed the best available science to make decisions on commercially exploited marine life. We encourage governments to stick by these decisions and not reopen the debate before the end of the week – or put this victory for sharks at risk."

All of the shark proposals under consideration could come up again before the CITES conference ends on Thursday.

Governments at CITES voted to accept all three species of sharks today proposed for listing on to CITES appendix II, which will regulate trade in shark fin and meat.

The species included:
Oceanic whitetip shark vote: Yes 92 (68.7%), No 42, Abs 8
Scalloped, great and smooth hammerhead shark vote: Yes 91 (70%), No 39, Abs 8
Porbeagle shark vote: Yes 93 (70.4%), No 39, Abs 8

Shark populations are decreasing at a rapid rate across the globe with losses of up to 86 per cent in some locations.

The market for shark products is first and foremost a luxury one with sharks fin selling for up to $135/kg in Hong Kong.

A listing of Appendix II will regulate trade internationally reducing the risk of extinction of these species.

This is not the first time that shark species have come up at CITES. Porbeagle missed out on being listed in 2010 by one vote on the last day when the proposal was re-opened.
]]> No publisher Taya Santives 2013-05-17T10:19:29Z Feed Item WWF: Bigeye tuna measures disappointing http://cclme.iwlearn.org/en/resources/news-items/wwf/81191bf30ad15ffb042af465e69dd6fe Manila, Philippines: WWF deplores that tuna managers once again are deferring meaningful action on bigeye tuna conservation by denying effective management measures adopted at the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCFPC) meeting closing today, ultimately risking the long term security of the region's people. While the commission made positive progress on conservation measures for seabirds, whale sharks, and satellite monitoring of fishing vessels, it failed to address two of the central species ... Funae fishermen catching skipjack tuna near Manado Tua using anchovies as live bait. © Jürgen Freund / WWF-CanonManila, Philippines: WWF deplores that tuna managers once again are deferring meaningful action on bigeye tuna conservation by denying effective management measures adopted at the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCFPC) meeting closing today, ultimately risking the long term security of the region's people.

While the commission made positive progress on conservation measures for seabirds, whale sharks, and satellite monitoring of fishing vessels, it failed to address two of the central species it is charged with managing, bigeye and albacore tuna.

"It was business as usual at the commission meeting, with the delegates from the 32 member states taking no steps to protect vulnerable bigeye tuna stocks," said Bubba Cook, Tuna Programme Officer, WWF´s Smart Fishing Initiative.

"Instead of adopting basic measures to stop overfishing of bigeye tuna, the commission approved an amendment to the existing conservation and management measure that most believe will do little to effectively solve the problem. The newly approved measure is fraught with loopholes and exceptions that allow overfishing to continue,"

Overfishing of bigeye tuna is driving the species toward collapse and scientists have identified the use of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) as one of the major factors in the decline. 

Juvenile bigeye tuna tend to associate with floating objects, such as FADs, where industrial fishing vessels using purse seine nets frequently target skipjack tuna and, in the process, catch large numbers of the juvenile bigeye tuna as bycatch. The commission implemented a measure in 2008 that was supposed to reduce overfishing of juvenile bigeye tuna by placing limits on the use of FADs. Unfortunately, overfishing did not stop and it continued to increase.

"The WCPFC must take up its responsibility. At the moment, they are dragging their feet on bigeye conservation measures, particularly on reference points, which are a more discrete modern management tool that could help reduce or prevent bigeye overfishing," said Cook.

The WCFPC makes decisions based on consensus. It only takes one country to prevent a measure from moving forward. This means that delegates of the commission often must engage in serious compromise and negotiation to accommodate the most obstinate delegates' demands. 

In the case of bigeye tuna, some of the delegates who favour the use of FADs lobbied extensively to maintain the status quo, which allows them to continue to prosecute the lucrative skipjack fishery at the expense of juvenile bigeye tuna, other associated bycatch species, and the overall ocean ecosystem. Moreover, the lack of action could have profound effects on the region's coastal states by risking long-term food and economic security.

"Due to the lack of leadership among the member states of the WCPFC, the bigeye tuna stock in the Western Central Pacific Ocean will continue a downward spiral. If something is not done now, soon we may see the complete collapse of bigeye in the region." said Cook.

]]> No publisher Taya Santives 2013-03-04T11:32:54Z Feed Item wwf-logo.jpg http://cclme.iwlearn.org/en/resources/links/wwf-logo.jpg No publisher Taya Santives 2013-03-04T07:53:08Z Image WWF welcomes first MSC-certified skipjack tuna products from the Pacific in Europe http://cclme.iwlearn.org/en/resources/news-items/wwf/08fde140b14cb978faeaf6e0c2edc005 Gland, Switzerland: Today marks the first ever delivery of certified, sustainably-managed tuna from the Pacific islands to the European marketplace. SPAR Austria is the first retailer to offer canned skipjack tuna from the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, the largest skipjack tuna fishery in the world that is also certified according to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard in Austrian supermarkets. Funae fishermen catching skipjack tuna near Manado Tua using anchovies as live bait. © Jürgen Freund / WWF-CanonGland, Switzerland: Today marks the first ever delivery of certified, sustainably-managed tuna from the Pacific islands to the European marketplace.

SPAR Austria is the first retailer to offer canned skipjack tuna from the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, the largest skipjack tuna fishery in the world that is also certified according to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard in Austrian supermarkets.

The MSC label guarantees consumers that the fish caught is from a sustainably managed fishery, handled under a rigid chain of custody from the net to the retailer, and harvested with minimal impacts on other marine species including sharks, turtles, and marine mammals. It also shows that the tuna stock is maintained in healthy condition, and that the fishery has little adverse impacts on marine habitats.

SPAR Austria has received the tuna from a fishery that is managed by the sub-regional organization known as the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), which is comprised of eight developing nations in the South Pacific Region that control around 50% of the world's skipjack tuna supply including the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.

The PNA has consistently demonstrated leadership in the region by taking management measures for their free-school purse seine fishery that include restrictions on the use of Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs)*, tuna catch retention, mesh regulations, portside transhipment and prohibitions on setting nets on whale sharks. Additionally, every fishing trip is fully monitored and documented by independent, 3rd party observers, who verify catch and bycatch.

WWF has been a strong supporter of the PNA's commitment to applying the ecosystem approach, a strategy for integrated management that promotes conservation and sustainable use of the marine environment.

"WWF applauds the PNA, its co-brand partner Pacifical, and SPAR in their partnership in making delivery of sustainably sourced, FAD-free MSC skipjack tuna to the Austrian market." said Alfred Schumm, WWF's Smart Fishing Initiative Leader.

"It is a remarkable success for these developing nations to have banded together in an effort to secure their own economies through sustainable management of their natural resources. We hope that more markets in Europe and the rest of the world will recognize this effort and will offer these certified tuna products." Schumm added.

The PNA also underwent a vigorous and lengthy review of its chain of custody procedures to ensure that the skipjack tuna they deliver meets the standard of the MSC, considered the most comprehensive and robust seafood ecolabel in existence with bycatch and chain of custody standards that exceed any other ecolabel. This provides not just the world's best traceability, but also the ability for the consumer to track the can back to the Pacific and its people.

"We are thrilled to be delivering PNA MSC-certified skipjack tuna to SPAR and into the European market," said Maurice Brownjohn, the commercial advisor to the PNA. "It means a lot to our developing nations to finally achieve delivery of canned skipjack tuna into the market and see benefits of sustainability."

For more detailed information:
•Axel Hein – WWF AUSTRIA axel.hein@wwf.at tel. +43 1 488 17 - 230
•Alfred Schumm – Smart Fishing Initiative Alfred.Schumm@wwf.de tel. +49.40.530.200.330
•Alfred Cook – WWF-Smart Fishing Initiative, acook@wwf.pacific.org.fj tel. +679 903 5008
•Bill Fox – WWF US bill.fox@wwfus.org tel. +1 202 495 4397

Note to editors:
A Fish Aggregation Device (FAD) is a floating object that attracts fish. Fishing beside/under FADs takes advantage of the fact that tuna and other pelagic fish naturally congregate around floating objects in the open ocean and can be substantially more efficient than placing purse seine nets around free-swimming schools. Using FADs also increases the bycatch of some 'non target' species like sharks and other bony fishes.

Dolphins do not aggregate with skipjack tuna in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean the same way they do with yellowfin tuna, a separate species, in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO). Specifically, dolphins only associate in large aggregations with yellowfin tuna schools in the EPO.

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. More information: panda.org/news
]]> No publisher Taya Santives 2014-04-16T19:04:00Z Feed Item WWF urges new measures as protected areas fail high seas wildlife http://cclme.iwlearn.org/en/resources/news-items/wwf/ed2fee4006b32edd09d7304371664e6b Gland, Switzerland/Cascais, Portugal – Parties to the OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic should take measures to control human impacts in marine protected areas. Action is being urged in advance of the upcoming OSPAR meeting in Cascais, Portugal, beginning June 23. Deep sea fishing: Landing the catch on a deep sea trawler North Atlantic Ocean © Mike R. Jackson / WWF-CanonGland, Switzerland/Cascais, Portugal – Parties to the OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic should take measures to control human impacts in marine protected areas. Action is being urged in advance of the upcoming OSPAR meeting in Cascais, Portugal, beginning June 23.

The 15 OSPAR Convention countries and the European Union adopted the world's first network of high seas marine protected areas around the Mid-Atlantic ridge in 2010. Despite this recognition, there are currently no measures to control harmful activity in the areas except a temporary closure to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems on the seafloor from bottom fishing. Even this measure is thwarted in some locations.

Fishing of deep water and pelagic stocks remains unrestricted, as do maritime transport and potential extraction of minerals from the seabed. The lack of protection puts a wealth of wildlife at risk, including deep-water sharks and rays, peculiar squids and octopuses, sponge aggregations and cold-water coral reefs.

"WWF expects OSPAR and its contracting parties to scale up their efforts to draw up the necessary conservation measures," says Stephan Lutter, WWF's International Marine Policy Officer and observer to OSPAR. "Parties need to agree on a roadmap and have it in place by 2016 at the latest."

WWF recognized the creation of the Mid-Atlantic protected areas in 2010 by awarding the organization's highest conservation honor, the Gift to the Earth. The protected area network comprises seven sites covering over 480,000 square kilometers of ocean. In addition to the diversity of resident species, plankton-rich currents serve as feeding grounds for migratory seabirds, cetaceans and turtles.

"Swift collective action to secure this outstanding Gift to the Earth is sadly needed," says Lutter. "So far, it has been hampered by national vanities, lack of commitment in regulatory bodies and the absence of a global instrument to protect biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction."

In addition to the lack of protective measures, harmful bottom trawling continues in the high seas of the Josephine Seamount Marine Protected Area, which covers 20,000 square kilometers on Portugal's outer continental shelf.

"Activities around the Josephine Seamount run contrary to the conservation objectives of OSPAR and contravene UN resolutions on sustainable fishing. This high seas protected area is still a mere 'paper park'," says Lutter.

The upcoming OSPAR meeting will take place near Sintra, Portugal, where environment ministers adopted the first legally binding provisions to protect biological diversity and ecosystems in 1998. Progress has been made since that time to identify species and habitats under threat and decline. While further conservation measures are required, a network of marine protected areas covering over 5 per cent of the North-East Atlantic has been established.
]]> No publisher Taya Santives 2014-07-09T10:16:20Z Feed Item WWF statement on ICJ whaling case http://cclme.iwlearn.org/en/resources/news-items/wwf/9d715027e69adf32d03fa02f87180f4d Today public hearings closed at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case between Australia and Japan over whaling by Japan in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica. In May 2010, the Australian government initiated legal proceedings in the ICJ against the government of Japan alleging that so-called 'scientific' whaling by Japan is in breach of the country's international treaty obligations. Minke whale © WWF-CanonToday public hearings closed at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case between Australia and Japan over whaling by Japan in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica.

In May 2010, the Australian government initiated legal proceedings in the ICJ against the government of Japan alleging that so-called 'scientific' whaling by Japan is in breach of the country's international treaty obligations. Whaling for commercial purposes has been banned internationally since 1986 and the Southern Ocean was declared a whale sanctuary in 1994 affording it an additional layer of protection.

The Australian government has requested the ICJ to order the government of Japan to cease its 'scientific' whaling programme in the Southern Ocean, and to provide assurances and guarantees that it will not take part in any further 'scientific' whaling in this zone. New Zealand has intervened in support of Australia's case.

After extensive commercial whaling in the twentieth century brought most great whale species in the Southern Ocean close to extinction, the governments party to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) established the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, recognizing the critical importance of protecting whales in this special place.

Japan exploits a clause in the IWC treaty that allows for the killing of whales for "scientific purposes."

"Since the whaling treaty was signed there have been great scientific advances that allow data about whales to be obtained through non-lethal means. The International Court of Justice has heard abundant evidence on why hunting hundreds of whales in the Southern Ocean is not necessary for science," said Wendy Elliott, species programme manager at WWF.

"In this day and age there is no reason to kill whales for scientific research and WWF strongly hopes for a positive ruling by the court that will end whaling in the Southern Ocean."
]]> No publisher Taya Santives 2013-08-27T09:58:12Z Feed Item WWF response to EC warnings to pirate fishing flag states http://cclme.iwlearn.org/en/resources/news-items/wwf/5c41cabcd0a5ae586fad4a7b317f519d WWF reacted today to the warning issued by the EC to eight developing countries that they risk being identified as "non-cooperative" in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The countries in question are Belize, Cambodia, Fiji, Guinea, Panama, Sri Lanka, Togo and Vanuatu. Bigeye trevally or Bigeye jack (Caranx sexfasciatus) congregate in schools for safety from attack by predators such as sharks. Fiji © Cat Holloway / WWF-Canon

WWF reacted today to the warning issued by the EC to eight developing countries that they risk being identified as "non-cooperative" in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The countries in question are Belize, Cambodia, Fiji, Guinea, Panama, Sri Lanka, Togo and Vanuatu.

WWF applauds the Commission for taking action as the warning includes some countries known to be IUU "hot spots".  WWF continues to support DG-Mare's active and growing leadership in combatting IUU fishing both domestically and abroad.
 
WWF notes, however, that the countries on the current EC warning list are among the smallest producers and exporters of wild-capture fish products, accounting all together for only 1.3% of total world marine production, according to official FAO figures. With IUU fishing estimated to account for approximately 20% of world fish catches, it is obvious that the EC list does not cover all of the worst IUU offenders or least "cooperative" states. WWF further notes that several EU member states have in the past been identified internationally as involved in significant IUU fishing, both in EU waters and beyond.   EU leadership in confronting IUU activities must also begin at home.
 
Quote from David K. Schorr, Manager, Fisheries Governance, WWF Smart Fishing Initiative: "WWF considers the fight against IUU fishing to be among the top priorities for conserving marine ecosystems and achieving the sustainable management of aquatic resources, therefore we applaud the European Commission for taking action. But we also regret that the list includes only the "small fish".

Source of the article


Editor's notes
The United States, in implementing a law with similar provisions, has previously issued comparable warnings to China, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Italy, Libya, Panama, Portugal, Tunisia, and Venezuela. 
 
The IUU Regulation requires identification of non-cooperating states "on the basis of transparent, clear and objective criteria". Moving forward, WWF calls on the EC to strengthen the credibility and effectiveness of the "non-cooperating states" provisions of the Regulation through implementation that is fully equitable and more closely targeted on the most serious IUU offenders. 
 
For further information or interview requests:
 
Alexandra Bennett, Communications Director,
WWF European Policy Office
E-mail: abennett@wwf.eu
Mobile: +32 477 393 400
 
David K. Schorr, Manager, Fisheries Governance,
WWF Smart Fishing Initiative
E-mail: david.schorr@wwf.panda.org
Tel: +1 202 495 4126
]]> No publisher Taya Santives 2013-03-04T11:32:55Z Feed Item WWF praises people power in spurring Australia marine parks decision http://cclme.iwlearn.org/en/resources/news-items/wwf/71fcc1872c2319dbf0aef85720506b36 Sydney, Australia - This morning, WWF congratulated the Federal Government of Australia on finalising the boundaries and basic layout of the world's largest network of marine parks. The conservation organisation also praised the high level of community support for the move. "This is an historic moment for marine conservation in Australia. Hardy Reef, aerial view. Great Barrier Reef & Coral Sea, Australia © Jürgen Freund / WWF-CanonSydney, Australia - This morning, WWF congratulated the Federal Government of Australia on finalising the boundaries and basic layout of the world's largest network of marine parks. The conservation organisation also praised the high level of community support for the move.

"This is an historic moment for marine conservation in Australia. The establishment of this national network of marine parks is a world-first at this scale. It's an essential step forward for the protection of Australia's diverse and unique marine wildlife."

"Today's announcement is in line with scientific advice and has strong public support. We understand that in this phase, the government received 80,000 submissions which overwhelmingly supported the new marine parks. This latest demonstration of support builds on the waves of enthusiasm from hundreds of thousands of people all around the country over the past couple of years," said Paul Gamblin, marine spokesperson for WWF-Australia.

"Over a decade of effort, both Coalition and Labor governments have created the policies and momentum for this outcome, and we look to all parties for quick and effective passage of the parks' management arrangements early next year.  These protections are overdue and our wildlife needs decisive action, without further delay." said Mr Gamblin.

While praising the overall plan, WWF also pointed to some areas that it believed had not yet received sufficient protection, such as coral reefs off North West Australia.

"Areas like those around the spectacular Rowley Shoals and Ningaloo Reef coral reefs do not receive the highest levels of protection available under this plan which means these critical features are still vulnerable to pressure from increasing oil and gas exploration, and possible spills.

Unfettered growth of industry in these areas puts at real risk the whales, dolphins, turtles and sharks that rely on these coral reefs. There is still an opportunity to adjust the plan in coming months to give places like the Rowley Shoals and Ningaloo greater protection."

"However, as this national network stands, Australians can be proud of the role they have played in persuading government to take this action. It provides an outstanding foundation for the conservation of Australia's world-famous marine wildlife and habitats - from the iconic Coral Sea and eastern seamounts to the wild and diverse west coast and Top End."

For more information contact 

Hamish Wyatt, Communications Officer, WWF-Australia, +61 414 544 911, HWyatt@wwf.org.au.



]]> No publisher Taya Santives 2013-03-04T11:32:55Z Feed Item WWF opens 2014 Smart Gear Competition to reduce fisheries bycatch http://cclme.iwlearn.org/en/resources/news-items/wwf/57acbff1690421d26e8da1434a98a69c Washington DC: WWF is launching the 2014 International Smart Gear Competition, which seeks and supports innovative solutions to address fisheries bycatch, the unintentional catch of fish and other marine species. The competition begins Saturday and ends August 31, 2014. "The Smart Gear Competition aims to spur ideas for environmentally-friendly fishing gear that allows fishermen to fish smarter while helping to maintain ocean health," said Alfred Schumm, Leader of WWF's Global Smart Fishing ... Spinner dolphins ride the bow wave of a ship, Fiji. © WWF-Canon / Cat HollowayWashington DC: WWF is launching the 2014 International Smart Gear Competition, which seeks and supports innovative solutions to address fisheries bycatch, the unintentional catch of fish and other marine species.

The competition begins Saturday and ends August 31, 2014.

"The Smart Gear Competition aims to spur ideas for environmentally-friendly fishing gear that allows fishermen to fish smarter while helping to maintain ocean health," said Alfred Schumm, Leader of WWF's Global Smart Fishing Initiative. In addition to fishermen losing millions of dollars each year due to bycatch, many other species, including endangered marine life, are unintentionally and needlessly killed by antiquated fishing gear and it is jeopardizing their survival."

The 2014 International Smart Gear Competition will offer its largest prize purse to date, totaling $65,000, including:

•A grand prize of $30,000 and two $10,000 runner-up prizes, sponsored by Fondation Segré.
•In partnership with John West Foods, a $7,500 special prize will be awarded to the idea that identifies a solution to reduce the amount of bycatch found in both purse seine and longline tuna fisheries in the waters of the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.
•Finally, with the Marine Mammal Commission and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sponsorship, a $7,500 special prize that will be awarded to the entry judged to most effectively reduce the bycatch of marine mammals in gillnet fisheries.

After the prizes are awarded, WWF works with each of the winners to bring their ideas to life and see them implemented in fisheries around the world.

"Today, more than 40% of the winning ideas identified by the competition in previous years are being used regularly in different types of fisheries," Schumm said.

Since its launch in 2004, the International Smart Gear Competition has demonstrated that conservation and industry can successfully work together to identify and eventually implement solutions to reduce bycatch. Past winners have included specially designed lights that reduce the bycatch of turtles in gillnets, and a device to reduce the bycatch of seabirds on tuna longlines.

This year, the competition is being supported by Fondation Segré, Bumble Bee Foods, John West Foods, the Marine Mammal Commission, NOAA, and WWF. Full details and entry forms are available at www.smartgear.org.

For more information, official competition rules, and instructions on how to enter, visit www.smartgear.org

The International Smart Gear Competition is open to entrants who are at least 18 years old at the time of entry. Employees, directors, agents, current contractors, and relatives of employees and directors of WWF, Marine Mammal Commission, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Bumble Bee Foods, Fondation Segré, and John West Foods are ineligible. Judges and relatives of judges are also ineligible. The competition is void where prohibited. Odds depend on number of entries received. No purchase is necessary.

The competition begins March 1st, 2014 and ends on August 31st, 2014.

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
panda.org/news for latest news and media resources

For further information:
Monica Echeverria, Media and External Affairs, WWF-US; monica.echeverria@wwfus.org +1 202 495 4626, mobile +1 202 378 3396
]]> No publisher Taya Santives 2014-04-16T19:03:54Z Feed Item WWF joins call for seafood traceability to fight illegal fishing http://cclme.iwlearn.org/en/resources/news-items/wwf/8d29eb983b061a19af8d71b43328a9b0 Gland, Switzerland: In a groundbreaking statement issued at this week's World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, WWF has joined private and public sector leaders in calling for a new global seafood traceability system to give consumers, businesses, and governments full access to information about marine fishing practices. Fish processing at the Black Sea port of Trazon in Turkey. © Edward Parker/WWF-CanonGland, Switzerland: In a groundbreaking statement issued at this week's World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, WWF has joined private and public sector leaders in calling for a new global seafood traceability system to give consumers, businesses, and governments full access to information about marine fishing practices.

The statement is the first multi-stakeholder call for such a system, and could herald an important role for the World Economic Forum in support of sustainable fisheries.

The statement, issued by the Forum's Global Agenda Council on Oceans, recognizes the urgent need for tracing fish products from "bait to plate" as a means for linking markets to sustainable fishing practices, and for ending the illegal fishing that continues to be a major driver of fisheries depletion.

The world is facing an unprecedented crisis of overfishing, with nearly 87 per cent of the world's commercial fisheries now fished to or over maximum levels, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

Meanwhile, experts estimate that 20 per cent of worldwide fish catches come from illegal fishing practices. Solutions depend heavily on giving market actors and regulators reliable information to know which fish products are legal and sustainable and which are not. But currently, access to this information and the mechanisms needed to trace wild caught fish to their origins are the exception rather than the rule. 

"Making commercial fishing sustainable is a critical global challenge," said Jim Leape, Director General, WWF.  "The joint statement released in Davos points the way to one important part of the solution."

Creating a reliable system for seafood traceability will require harmonizing both regulatory and commercial practices across national boundaries and across subsectors of the seafood industry, ranging from small scale producers in developing countries to the major retail chains and brand owners in the European Union, US, and Japan.

"The stakes are high for the global seafood industry, as well as for the hundreds of millions of people around the world who depend on fish for protein and on fishing for their livelihoods," said Leape.

The WEF Global Agenda Council on Oceans brings together an interdisciplinary group of experts and leaders in the fields of oceans conservation, policy and commerce from around the world. WWF, which is represented on the Council, helped craft the Davos joint statement, and has launched a Transparent Seas Project focused on seafood traceability and the fight against illegal fishing.
]]> No publisher Taya Santives 2013-03-04T11:32:53Z Feed Item WWF Commentary: MPAs important for livelihoods and food security http://cclme.iwlearn.org/en/resources/news-items/wwf/474e16741c563c56967a86239d0bffbf John Tanzer, Director, Global Marine Programme, WWF-International In October 2013 we have assisted to the Ministerial Conference on Ocean Conservation, in Ajaccio, Corsica. Following on from the 3rd International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC3) that took place last week in Marseille, France, this high-level summit brought governments, donor institutions and civil society around the many different facets of marine protected areas. John Tanzer, Director, Global Marine Programme, WWF-International © WWF-CanonJohn Tanzer, Director, Global Marine Programme, WWF-International

In October 2013 we have assisted to the Ministerial Conference on Ocean Conservation, in Ajaccio, Corsica. Following on from the 3rd International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC3) that took place last week in Marseille, France, this high-level summit brought governments, donor institutions and civil society around the many different facets of marine protected areas.

WWF was at the table to reemphasize the important role of marine protected areas for people, their food security, employment and livelihoods.

IMPAC3 engaged 1,500 participants from 87 nations, with a broad range of expertise including marine protected areas managers, scientists, policy-makers and representatives of local communities.

Over 40 WWF experts participated in the congress, presenting on a wide range of topics including establishment of marine protected areas, best management practices, identification of the benefits, fisheries, private sector engagement, sustainable financing and regional approaches.

I was extremely pleased to see the constructive role WWF was able to play in making this congress rich and worthwhile for participants. Of course we also took the opportunity to learn from others, especially our partners with whom we work closely in many places around the world.

It was an important outcome to see a clear endorsement of the role well-designed and managed networks of marine protected areas must play if we are to turn around the decline in the world's oceans with greater urgency and at scale. Marine protected areas not only restore but also sustain local economies through providing fish, food, income, jobs in the longer term.

Both at the Congress itself and the High Level Summit there was substantial interest and support for development and implementation of regional and sub-regional initiatives. WWF used the opportunity to profile our work in the Mediterranean Sea and the Northern Mozambique Channel, as well as other priority places such as the Coral Triangle and South America. These places are critical for the livelihoods of millions of people and are under increasing threats and pressure.

Strengthened collaboration of all actors is needed to ensure biodiversity protection and development objectives are integrated.

Regarding the high seas, WWF and experts called for member states of the UN Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to strongly support efforts to implement an agreement for the protection of biodiversity on the high seas as a matter of urgency.
]]> No publisher Taya Santives 2014-04-16T19:04:01Z Feed Item WWF calls on US Government to protect and restore pristine Philippine coral reef following navy ship grounding http://cclme.iwlearn.org/en/resources/news-items/wwf/7d82fefb44bd4193f63e3a3263ef4924 Washington, DC -- On January 17, a US Navy minesweeping vessel became grounded on Tubbataha Reefs Natural Marine Park – a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best protected Marine Protected Areas in the world. Tubbataha plays host to about 600 species of fish, 360 species of corals, 14 species of sharks, 12 species of dolphins and whales plus nesting populations of seabirds and marine turtles. Tubbataha Reef, Philippines, Coral Triangle © Tommy SCHULTZWashington, DC -- On January 17, a US Navy minesweeping vessel became grounded on Tubbataha Reefs Natural Marine Park – a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best protected Marine Protected Areas in the world.

Tubbataha plays host to about 600 species of fish, 360 species of corals, 14 species of sharks, 12 species of dolphins and whales plus nesting populations of seabirds and marine turtles. It is a food factory for the Sulu Sea -- continuously seeding the rich waters of Palawan and the West Visayan isles with fish and invertebrate spawn. For these reasons, Tubbataha is a priority conservation area of WWF and is one of the Coral Triangle region's most important marine areas.

While no oil has yet been spilled, that threat remains and large areas of pristine coral reefs have been destroyed while monsoon winds have aggravated efforts to dislodge the ship. The wood-hulled vessel remains stuck and is taking on water, posing immense hazards to the area's fragile undersea ecosystems.

WWF calls on the US Navy to coordinate closely with the Philippine government's Tubbataha Management Office on the extrication of the ship. The extent of damage to the reef must also be determined. Furthermore, the swift, safe and proper removal of the vessel should cause no further damage to the Park.

Following the removal of the vessel, the US Navy, in partnership other US government agencies, should work with Philippine authorities to undertake a rapid damage assessment, as well as an economic valuation and then help restore the damaged parts of the reef.

Throughout its 25-year conservation history, Tubbataha has been resilient to many challenges: invasive species outbreaks, illegal fishing and seaweed farming operations, marine pollution, plus the widespread coral bleaching due to the 1998 El Niño phenomenon. This resilience gives us hope that with the proper response to this incident, Tubbataha – the crown jewel of Philippine seas – will ride out the challenge it is facing today.

For the long term, we ask the US Government to re-commit its efforts to protect this crown jewel of the Coral Triangle, which the US government has supported for many years with financial and technical assistance.

For more information contact: 

Lee Poston, WWF US, +1 (202) 495-4536, lee.poston@wwfus.org

Gregg Yan, WWF Philippines, +63 2 822 2568, gyan@wwf.org.ph
]]> No publisher Taya Santives 2013-03-04T11:32:52Z Feed Item WWF calls for firm limits on tuna fisheries to address overfishing http://cclme.iwlearn.org/en/resources/news-items/wwf/b853a9b7f36d84ade2dc3dda7c7a4e52 Manila, Philippines: WWF urges the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) bringing together Pacific Island, Asian, the US, EU and other countries in their annual meeting, to adopt pragmatic rules for limiting the catch of species in the Western Central Pacific Ocean in an effort to stem overfishing occurring in the region. Yellow fin tuna in fish market/Philippines © Juergen Freund/WWF-CanonManila, Philippines: WWF urges the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) bringing together Pacific Island, Asian, the US, EU and other countries in their annual meeting, to adopt pragmatic rules for limiting the catch of species in the Western Central Pacific Ocean in an effort to stem overfishing occurring in the region.

"The implementation of these measures represents the foundation of a sustainably-managed fishery. If pragmatic management measures such as putting limits on tuna fisheries via reference points and harvest control measures are not soon applied, tuna fisheries in the Pacific will face continued declines resulting in substantial negative impacts on our fishing communities and marine ecosystem." said Alfred Cook, Western Central Pacific Tuna Programme Officer, WWF´s Smart Fishing Initiative.

WWF calls upon the WCPFC to specifically adopt specific reference points and harvest control rules for tuna fisheries in the Western and Central pacific region (see note to the editor), tools that have demonstrated to be successful in managing fisheries sustainably. Implementing these measures would allow managers to act swiftly and efficiently under a pre-agreed standard to ensure that harvests do not exceed acceptable limits, ensuring the sustainability of the resource and the consistent supply of fish to our markets.

"Currently, tuna fisheries in this region are subject to management measures imposed on a relatively opportunistic basis under a consensus-based system, subject to many competing interests and values, including a broad range of competing interests that often lead to decisions that maximize short-term economic interests at the expense of long-term productivity and sustainability that further leads to overfishing," said Cook.

The implementation of limits known as "reference points" provide benchmarks around which management measures are standardized and allow for explicit, decisive action to occur in the presence of sound scientific information.  If harvests approach a reference point, the WCPFC must take explicit action defined by harvest control rules to prevent adverse consequences such as overfishing.

"It really is a very simple, concrete and feasible concept.  If you are approaching a designated limit that could result in harm to the fishery, you take action to prevent that from happening.  Right now, the WCPFC doesn't really have a mechanism to do that in a timely and efficient way," said Cook.

Once reference points and harvest control rules are in place, they will prevent the bureaucratic paralysis that the WCPFC often encounters due to the annual horse trading and ad hoc rules of the current process.  The politics of the WCPFC process can often hinder decisive and sound decision-making regarding the sustainability of tuna fisheries.  Implementation of these measures would prevent essential action from being held hostage over the political concerns of a single member state by providing clear, objective, and scientific measures that constitute pre-agreed standards for taking explicit, science-based action on fisheries conservation.

Also the private sector stands to gain from implementing these measures from a market perspective. Reference points and harvest control rules are part of the conditions to be able to enter the certification process of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), currently the best available certification scheme in the market that awards sustainably-managed fisheries.

"Our ultimate goal is to put a halt to overfishing, to ensure our fish stocks remain in a healthy state so that there is sustainable supply of fish to our markets. We strongly encourage certifying tuna fisheries according to the MSC programme," said Cook.

Towards this end, WWF and a large group of responsible buyers, harvesters, processors, and traders, are making a pledge to the WCFPC Commission to support well-planned and designed tuna fishery improvement and conservation initiatives to sustain livelihoods, minimise environmental impacts and supply the world with responsibly-managed, high quality tuna through certification according to the MSC standards.

]]> No publisher Taya Santives 2013-03-04T11:32:54Z Feed Item WWF calls for an end to overfishing in the Western and Central Pacific http://cclme.iwlearn.org/en/resources/news-items/wwf/e3095154cc5f798f2a72cb84514f973c Cairns, Australia: Strongly concerned that the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) might fail again to implement effective measures to end overfishing of tuna at its annual meeting in Cairns, Australia next week, WWF calls for effective and decisive action. "The viability of the Western and Central Pacific tuna fishery should not be at risk because of short term economic interests. Fisherman with tuna catch, Philippines. © WWF-Canon / Jürgen FreundCairns, Australia: Strongly concerned that the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) might fail again to implement effective measures to end overfishing of tuna at its annual meeting in Cairns, Australia next week, WWF calls for effective and decisive action.

"The viability of the Western and Central Pacific tuna fishery should not be at risk because of short term economic interests. Without drastic measures, we could see the collapse of the bigeye tuna stock in the next few years, which will have direct impacts on other important tuna fisheries," said Alfred Cook, WWF´s Western Central Pacific Tuna Programme Officer.

"WWF calls on the Commission to follow scientific recommendations to substantially reduce the bigeye tuna catch," said Cook.

Over the last years, WWF has continuously been calling upon the WCPFC to adopt effective fisheries management measures including firm limits on the number of fishing vessels and reductions in the reliance on Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs).

Despite precipitous declines in the bigeye, yellowfin, and albacore tuna stocks, the measures implemented by WCPFC have been insufficient and too late. This is especially the case with bigeye tuna, a favoured sushi species, where the stock is overfished and experiencing continued overfishing.

"It's really disappointing," said Cook. "Just a few years ago, there was a lot of hope that the WCPFC, as the newest and, arguably, most successful tuna regional fisheries management organisation (RFMO), would be able to overcome the myopic self-interest and politics that have hamstrung RFMOs in other regions."

Too many vessels and in particular increasing distant water fleets fishing for too few fish constitutes one of the central problems contributing to overfishing in the region.

Despite repeated calls to reduce the number of vessels fishing for tuna in the region, the number of vessels continues to increase, with at least 45 more purse seiners currently under construction in Asian shipyards and expected to join 297 fishing boats already operating in the region, setting an all-time high. This excess of fishing capacity will undoubtedly lead to additional sustainability problems in the region.

The problem of overcapacity is not limited to the purse seine sector. Rapidly increasing capacity in the longline fishery from several distant water fishing nations is creating similar problems in the albacore tuna fishery.

While the albacore stock is not in the same dire condition as the bigeye tuna stock, the albacore population has plummeted over the last decade, making it less economical to operate and throwing the domestic small island state fisheries into turmoil.

Grahame Southwick, owner of the Fiji Fish Company, says the failure of the WCPFC to act has devastated the Pacific Island domestic long line fishery.

"We've worked tirelessly and responsibly to ensure the sustainability of the albacore fishery in Fiji, even securing the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) eco-certification, only to have our fishery decimated by an ever-expanding distant water fleet from Asia." said Southwick.

"For years, we've been asking the WCPFC and the various national governments in the region to address the longline fleet overcapacity, but our requests seem to have fallen on deaf ears." Southwick and other albacore fishermen in the region continue to insist that something must urgently be done to address not only the excess fishing capacity from Asia, but also the subsidies provided from Asian states to their vessels that make it impossible for domestic fleets to compete economically.

There is some positive momentum, however. WWF has engaged a large group of responsible buyers, harvesters, processors, and traders, in making a pledge to the WCFPC Commission to support well-planned and designed tuna fishery improvement and conservation initiatives to sustain livelihoods, minimise environmental impacts and supply the world with responsibly-managed, high quality tuna through certification according to the MSC standards.

The world community, including the markets that purchase tuna from the region, are demanding the WCPFC take action. WWF and others are hoping that, despite the pessimism, the WCPFC will take decisive and effective measures to conserve the region's important tuna stocks this year.

Note to editors:
1 The WCPFC is responsible for the conservation and management of tuna and other marine resources in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. The members of the WCPFC are:
Australia, Canada, China, Cook Islands, European Community, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, France, Japan, Kiribati, Korea, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Chinese Taipei, Tonga, Tuvalu, United States of America, Vanuatu

2 The annual meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) will take place in Cairns, Australia, on December 2-6.

For more detailed information:
•Alfred Cook, Western Central Pacific Ocean Tuna Programme Manager, WWF Smart Fishing Initiative, Email: acook@wwfpacific.org.fj. Phone: +679 903 5008

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with more than 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

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