CITES can help save tuna and tigers

The largest ever wildlife trade convention (known as CITES Cop15) runs from 13-25 March. It's a unique chance for world governments to protect species in our oceans, as well as halting a worldwide poaching crisis.

At the upcoming meeting of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (the 15th CITES Conference of Parties meeting), there will be an unprecedented six proposals concerning commercially exploited marine species. That’s unusual because, in the past, CITES has focused mostly on terrestrial species.

We are particularly encouraging governments to accept the proposal to put Atlantic bluefin tuna on Appendix I of the Convention – the highest level of protection under its appendix system, which would ban all international commercial trade.

WWF wildlife trade officer Heather Sohl says: "Atlantic bluefin tuna stocks are at an all-time low following overfishing and illegal fishing to feed a rapidly expanding market for sushi and sashimi, mainly in Japan, but also increasingly in the US and Europe.

"Insatiable demand has left the Atlantic bluefin tuna on the brink of extinction. At this meeting, governments have an opportunity to stop pandering to the short-term interests of a bloated high-tech fishing industry and make a stand."

Other marine species up for increased protection under CITES include red and pink coral – being harvested out of existence to make jewellery and decorative items – and four shark species, currently overfished because of demand for their fins and meat.

Saving the tiger

We’re also asking for commitments to help stem a worldwide poaching crisis that’s destroying tiger, rhino and elephant populations in Asia and Africa.

2010 is the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese calendar; and with as few as 3.200 tigers left in the wild, there’s no better time to ensure an end to all tiger trade – especially as all 13 tiger range states are signatories to CITES.

Rhino poaching is at a 15-year high, exacerbated by increasingly sophisticated poachers, who are now using veterinary drugs, poison, crossbows and high-calibre weapons to kill rhinos. There’s also a marked increase in demand in Asia, particularly in Vietnam, fuelled by claims that rhino horn cures cancer.