The illegal wildlife trade is a significant threat to global biodiversity, often targeting alread... more The illegal wildlife trade is a significant threat to global biodiversity, often targeting already threatened species. In combating the trade, it is critical to know the provenance of the traded animal or part, to facilitate targeted conservation actions, such as education and enforcement. Here we present and compare two methods, portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and stable isotope analysis (SIA), to determine both the geographic and source provenance (captive or wild) of traded animals and their parts. Using three critically endangered, frequently illegally traded Philippine species, the Palawan forest turtle (Siebenrockiella leytensis), the Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), and the Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensisis) we demonstrate that using these methods we can more accurately assign provenance using pXRF data (x ̅ = 83%), than SIA data (x ̅ = 47%). Our results indicate that these methods provide a valuable forensic tool that can be used in combating the illeg...
The Southeast Asian Box Turtle, Cuora amboinensis (Family Geoemydidae), is a small (straight cara... more The Southeast Asian Box Turtle, Cuora amboinensis (Family Geoemydidae), is a small (straight carapace length to 25 cm), semi-aquatic turtle, largely restricted to standing water bodies of Southeast Asia, from eastern India to Indonesia and the Philippines. It has four currently recognized subspecies: C. a. amboinensis, C. a. couro, C. a. kamaroma, and C. a. lineata. The species is still relatively common in most of its range, perhaps due to its ability to adapt to a variety of habitats, including rice fields and the vicinity of human settlements. Diet includes both plant and animal matter. The species lays 1-4 large (24-34 x 44-57 mm) eggs with masses of 14-31.5 g. The considerable variation in egg size, incubation period, and reproductive season, as evident from data derived from captive breeding, is thought to be reflective of geographic variation in this widespread turtle species. The species is currently listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List due to its heavy exploitation for the international food, pet, and medicinal trade, and is also included in CITES Appendix II. There is an apparently large illegal trade in the species, and many regional populations appear to be decreasing rapidly, requiring closer monitoring. diStribution.-Bangladesh,
Figure 7. Number of male, female and individuals for which sex was not identified per postembryon... more Figure 7. Number of male, female and individuals for which sex was not identified per postembryonic stage.
Focusing on the phylogenetic relationships of puddle frog populations spanning the biogeographic ... more Focusing on the phylogenetic relationships of puddle frog populations spanning the biogeographic interface between Sundaland (Borneo) and the Philippines, we demonstrate, for the first time, a widespread geographic pattern involving the existence of multiple divergent and co-distributed (sympatric) evolutionary lineages, most of which are not each other’s closest relatives, and all of which we interpret as probable distinct species. This pattern of co-occurrence in the form of pairs of ecologically distinct puddle frog forms (dyads), prevails throughout northern Borneo, Palawan, Tawi-Tawi, the Sulu Archipelago, and western Mindanao (Zamboanga). Previously obscured by outdated taxonomy and logistical, legal, and security obstacles to field-based natural history studies, this pattern has remained hidden from biogeographers and amphibian biologists by an uncontested proposal that Philippine Occidozyga laevis is a single, “widespread,” and “highly variable” species. In this paper we use...
The study was conducted at Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park from May 6-11, 2005. Seven preesta... more The study was conducted at Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park from May 6-11, 2005. Seven preestablished stations with survey sites at 5 and 10 m depth and one intertidal area were assessed using 150 m permanent belt transects. Focal benthic mollusks found one meter to the left and right of transects were identified and counted. A total of 19 species belonging to eight families were recorded, of which 15 species are univalves. In the intertidal area a total of 12 species were noted, 13 species at the shallow (5 m) and five species at deeper (10 m) areas. Species belonging to the family Tridacnidae and Trochidae were the most abundant. Among the subtidal stations, the highest number of individuals was noted at a shallow reef flat (station VI). In terms of density, the intertidal area had the highest (213,310 ind. km-2) followed by the shallow (72,870 ind. km-2) and the deep with 5,720 ind. km-2. The densities of Tridacna crocea (133,330 ind. km-2) and Hippopus hippopus (3,330 ind. km-2) at the intertidal area were found to be higher than in most other survey sites in Palawan but previous density records at the park indicate a stiff decline. On the contrary, the first record on the density of T. squamosa (950 ind. km-2) at the park is much lower compared to that from other parts of Palawan. Large and commercially valuable gastropods like, Trochus niloticus, Tectus maculatus and T. pyramis that are rarely encountered at the intertidal areas were abundant at the TRNMP. Other important species like Tridacna gigas, Charonia tritonis and Cassis cornuta were not encountered at the study sites. To fully assess the abundance of focal mollusks, permanent transects should be established in the same seven sites but in shallow reef flat of about 2 m deep, in the lagoon and in the intertidal of North and South Islets where species composition, density and growth could be monitored on an annual basis which could be used to evaluate the management effectiveness at the TRNMP.
The Philippine or Palawan Forest Turtle Siebenrockiella leytensis is the only endemic turtle know... more The Philippine or Palawan Forest Turtle Siebenrockiella leytensis is the only endemic turtle known to occur in the Philippines. It was assessed as Critically Endangered in 2000 and has been considered as one of the world’s top 25 most endangered turtles since 2003. The species is accorded protection nationally by the Wildlife Protection and Conservation Act of 2001 and its international commercial trade is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). However, the publication of its rediscovery in 2004 triggered unrelenting poaching and trafficking for the pet trade nationally and internationally. With the aim of quantifying the extent of poaching and to provide insight on the trade dynamics, we analyzed seizure records from 2004–2018 and conducted physical and online market surveys in 2017–2018. Twenty-three (23) seizure incidents involving 4,723 Philippine Forest Turtles were recorded in the last 15 years. Based on an online survey, we estimated...
Adult-Referring to a sexually mature animal. Here specifically referring to specimens of freshwat... more Adult-Referring to a sexually mature animal. Here specifically referring to specimens of freshwater turtles which have established external sexual dimorphism. Anon.-Anonymous. Article IV-Under the convention text of CITES (see below), concerning the Regulation of Trade in Specimens of Species Included in Appendix II. The export of any specimen of a species included in Appendix II shall require the prior grant and presentation of an export permit. An export permit shall only be granted when the following conditions have been met: (a) a Scientific Authority of the State of export has advised that such export will not be detrimental to the survival of that species; (b) a Management Authority of the State of export is satisfied that the specimen was not obtained in contravention of the laws of that State for the protection of fauna and flora; and (c) a Management Authority of the State of export is satisfied that any living specimen will be so prepared and shipped as to minimize the risk of injury, damage to health or cruel treatment. Assurance population-Referring to those populations of the Southeast Asian Box Turtle that are protected and that live under conditions that provide nutrition, mates and an environment that allows population growth. Category I-One of three categories for species under Review of Significant Trade. A Category I species is considered a species of urgent concern and shall include species for which the available information indicates that the provisions of Article IV, paragraph 2 (a), 3 or 6 (a), are not being implemented. CITES-The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. CN-ISO code for China. Commensal-Here referring to turtle species that are commensals of man, meaning turtles that inhabit anthropogenically disturbed habitats. Consumption trade-Trade in freshwater turtles and tortoises, including the Southeast Asian Box Turtle, for food. Exporter-Referring to a trader who exports turtles for commercial purposes. Fecundity-The potential reproductive capacity of an organism or population, measured by the number of eggs. Fecundity can increase or decrease in a population according to current conditions and certain regulating factors such as food supply, birth, death, growth rate. Femorals-2 nd to the last plates on the turtle plastron. Gross exports-Referring to the definition of the CITES Trade Database which is "the total quantity (re-)exported of a given commodity". Gross imports-Referring to the definition of the CITES Trade Database which is "the total quantity imported of a given commodity". Hatchling-A life history stage. Here for the Southeast Asian Box Turtle defined as the stage from hatching until the egg tooth is lost, which is usually 10-19 days after hatching. HK-ISO code for Hong Kong. IATA-International Air Transport Association, which has created standards for the transport of live animals by air. ID-ISO code for Indonesia. Ikan-Bahasa Malaysia word for "fish". In-situ conservation-Meaning "on-site conservation". It is the process of protecting an endangered plant or animal species in its natural habitat. iii Science in CITES:The biology and ecology of the Southeast Asian Box Turtle Cuora amboinensis and its uses and trade in Malaysia IUCN-International Union for Conservation. Juvenile-Here referring to sexually immature individuals of freshwater turtles. Kg. = Kampung-Bahasa Malaysia for 'small village'. Kura Kura-The general Malay term for hard-shelled turtles. Labi Labi-The general Malay term for softshell turtles. MA-CITES Management Authority. A national management body designated in accordance with Article IX of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The Management Authority is responsible for implementing the Convention in its country. In particular, it is the only body competent to grant import, export permits, and re-export certificates on behalf of that Party. Even though a Party may designate more than one Management Authority, one must be designated as the Management Authority responsible for communication with other Parties and the Secretariat. Malayan Box Turtle-English name of the subspecies C. amboinensis kamaroma that occurs in Malaysia. In the following the term Malayan Box Turtle is used if the statement is only valid for the Malayan subspecies C. amboinensis kamaroma. MeCL-Median carapace length, measured in straight carapace length. Melaleuca swamps-Referring to low lying coastal areas, seasonally inundated by fresh water and dominated by water-loving trees, the Melaleucas of the family Myrtaceae. Merit release-Referring to the Chinese tradition of releasing one or several turtles to a temple or to the wild believing that this will bring long life to the person performing the action. Here categorised as one of the potential uses for trading the Southeast Asian Box Turtle. Middleman-Referring to a trader who buys turtles from collectors and sells them to a supplier or to an exporter. MoNRE-Malaysia's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. MY-ISO code for Malaysia. NDF-Non-detrimental or non-detriment finding-A conclusion by a Scientific Authority that the export of specimens of a particular species will not negatively affect the survival of the species in the wild. The non-detriment finding by a Scientific Authority is required prior to the issuance of an export or import permit or a certificate for an introduction from the sea may be granted for a specimen of an Appendix-I species, and prior an export permit or a certificate for an introduction from the sea may be granted for a specimen of an Appendix-II species. Net exports-Referring to the definition of the CITES Trade Database which is "the positive difference between total (re-)exports (gross) and the total imports (gross)". Net imports-Referring to the definition of the CITES Trade Database which is "the positive difference between total imports (gross) and the total (re-)exports (gross)". NGO-Non-government organization. Normal distribution-In statistics a function that represents the distribution of many random variables as a symmetrical bell-shaped graph. Orang Asli-Indigenous people of Peninsular Malaysia. PERHILITAN-Pejabat Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara = Department of Wildlife and National Parks, one of the key CITES Management Authorities in Peninsular Malaysia, responsible for issuance of permits for all fauna except fish and marine species. Pet trade-Referring to the trade of species such as the Southeast Asian Box Turtle for the purpose of keeping it as pet. Population-The number of individuals of a certain species in a certain place. Precautionary Principle-A rule according to which pre-emptive conservation measures to avoid or Science in CITES:The biology and ecology of the Southeast Asian Box Turtle Cuora amboinensis and its uses and trade in Malaysia iv minimize a threat to a population of a species may be taken even when there is a lack of full scientific certainty as to the threat. Protected species-Referring to species that are protected under Malaysian law. Review of Significant Trade-A CITES-mandated process in cases, where export levels for Appendix II species are significant and/or considered to be of concern for conservation measures. Resolution Conf. 8.9 (Rev.) provides a mechanism whereby the CITES Animals or Plants Committee can review the situation and formulate recommendations to ensure that the export is not detrimental to the survival of wild populations of the species under review. Schedule-Wildlife species that are protected or which are otherwise regulated under the Malaysian Government are divided into different schedules, whereas Schedule I lists totally protected species and Schedule II lists protected species. Scientific Authority (SA)-A national scientific advisory body designated in accordance with CITES Article IX of the Convention. A Scientific Authority is responsible for providing technical and scientific advice to its Management Authority, in particular as to whether the export or introduction from the sea of a specimen will be detrimental to the survival in the wild of the species involved. A Party may designate more than one Scientific Authority. SEA-Southeast Asia. SG-ISO code for Singapore. Sg. = Sungai-Bahasa Malaysia term for "river". Southeast Asian Box Turtle-English name for the species Cuora amboinensis that comprises four subspecies. Here the term Southeast Asian Box Turtle is used when referring to the species C. amboinensis in general. Subadult-A life history stage used to classify immature individuals, which are sometimes also referred to as large juveniles or late juvenile. Subadults already express external sexual dimorphism. Supplier-Referring to a trader who buys turtles either from collectors or from middlemen and sells them either to the local market or to an exporter. Tamu-Bahasa Malaysia term for a large street market where mainly food but also clothing and handicrafts are sold. Every of these markets usually has at least one aquarium/pet stall that sells fishes and/or pet animals incl. freshwater turtles. TCM-Traditional Chinese Medicine; this is one of the major reasons for trading the Southeast Asian Box Turtle. Testudines-Taxonomic term that comprises all turtles, terrapins and tortoises. Tortoise-Term commonly used for terrestrial turtles not associated with wetlands. Trader-Refers to any person dealing with the Southeast Asian Box Turtle or other reptile species, including collectors, middlemen, suppliers, and exporters. TRAFFIC-The wildlife trade monitoring network, a joint programme of WWF and IUCN. TSD-Temperature-dependent sex determination. Turtle-Here generally used for all freshwater turtles and tortoises. TW-ISO code for Taiwan.
For almost a century, the harvesting and processing of sea cucumbers into trepang has been a sour... more For almost a century, the harvesting and processing of sea cucumbers into trepang has been a source of income for many Philippine families. Exports, however, increased tremendously in recent years, from 250 t in 1977, and 1189 t in 1984 (1977–1984 statistics from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippines) to 2123 t in 1996 (FAO, 1996). The Philippines is now the second major producer and exporter of dried sea cucumber in the world (Conand & Byrne, 1993; Conand, in press). Despite its importance in the world market, no comprehensive study about the bêche-de-mer exploitation in the Philippines has been conducted. The increasing depletion of sea cucumber stocks is obvious and has only been sporadically documented (Trinidad-Roa, 1987; Schoppe et al., 1998; Schoppe, in press). In the mean time, sea cucumber sizes have become smaller and collections must be conducted in deeper waters.
TRAFFIC Southeast Asia identified the Southeast Asian Box Turtle as a heavily traded species to b... more TRAFFIC Southeast Asia identified the Southeast Asian Box Turtle as a heavily traded species to be used as a case study for science-based management, which could serve as a model for other CITES Appendix II species in trade. This study aims to assess the legislation in place to regulate trade in freshwater turtles and tortoises and to identify past and current harvest and trade levels.
The illegal wildlife trade is a significant threat to global biodiversity, often targeting alread... more The illegal wildlife trade is a significant threat to global biodiversity, often targeting already threatened species. In combating the trade, it is critical to know the provenance of the traded animal or part, to facilitate targeted conservation actions, such as education and enforcement. Here we present and compare two methods, portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and stable isotope analysis (SIA), to determine both the geographic and source provenance (captive or wild) of traded animals and their parts. Using three critically endangered, frequently illegally traded Philippine species, the Palawan forest turtle (Siebenrockiella leytensis), the Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), and the Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensisis) we demonstrate that using these methods we can more accurately assign provenance using pXRF data (x ̅ = 83%), than SIA data (x ̅ = 47%). Our results indicate that these methods provide a valuable forensic tool that can be used in combating the illeg...
The Southeast Asian Box Turtle, Cuora amboinensis (Family Geoemydidae), is a small (straight cara... more The Southeast Asian Box Turtle, Cuora amboinensis (Family Geoemydidae), is a small (straight carapace length to 25 cm), semi-aquatic turtle, largely restricted to standing water bodies of Southeast Asia, from eastern India to Indonesia and the Philippines. It has four currently recognized subspecies: C. a. amboinensis, C. a. couro, C. a. kamaroma, and C. a. lineata. The species is still relatively common in most of its range, perhaps due to its ability to adapt to a variety of habitats, including rice fields and the vicinity of human settlements. Diet includes both plant and animal matter. The species lays 1-4 large (24-34 x 44-57 mm) eggs with masses of 14-31.5 g. The considerable variation in egg size, incubation period, and reproductive season, as evident from data derived from captive breeding, is thought to be reflective of geographic variation in this widespread turtle species. The species is currently listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List due to its heavy exploitation for the international food, pet, and medicinal trade, and is also included in CITES Appendix II. There is an apparently large illegal trade in the species, and many regional populations appear to be decreasing rapidly, requiring closer monitoring. diStribution.-Bangladesh,
Figure 7. Number of male, female and individuals for which sex was not identified per postembryon... more Figure 7. Number of male, female and individuals for which sex was not identified per postembryonic stage.
Focusing on the phylogenetic relationships of puddle frog populations spanning the biogeographic ... more Focusing on the phylogenetic relationships of puddle frog populations spanning the biogeographic interface between Sundaland (Borneo) and the Philippines, we demonstrate, for the first time, a widespread geographic pattern involving the existence of multiple divergent and co-distributed (sympatric) evolutionary lineages, most of which are not each other’s closest relatives, and all of which we interpret as probable distinct species. This pattern of co-occurrence in the form of pairs of ecologically distinct puddle frog forms (dyads), prevails throughout northern Borneo, Palawan, Tawi-Tawi, the Sulu Archipelago, and western Mindanao (Zamboanga). Previously obscured by outdated taxonomy and logistical, legal, and security obstacles to field-based natural history studies, this pattern has remained hidden from biogeographers and amphibian biologists by an uncontested proposal that Philippine Occidozyga laevis is a single, “widespread,” and “highly variable” species. In this paper we use...
The study was conducted at Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park from May 6-11, 2005. Seven preesta... more The study was conducted at Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park from May 6-11, 2005. Seven preestablished stations with survey sites at 5 and 10 m depth and one intertidal area were assessed using 150 m permanent belt transects. Focal benthic mollusks found one meter to the left and right of transects were identified and counted. A total of 19 species belonging to eight families were recorded, of which 15 species are univalves. In the intertidal area a total of 12 species were noted, 13 species at the shallow (5 m) and five species at deeper (10 m) areas. Species belonging to the family Tridacnidae and Trochidae were the most abundant. Among the subtidal stations, the highest number of individuals was noted at a shallow reef flat (station VI). In terms of density, the intertidal area had the highest (213,310 ind. km-2) followed by the shallow (72,870 ind. km-2) and the deep with 5,720 ind. km-2. The densities of Tridacna crocea (133,330 ind. km-2) and Hippopus hippopus (3,330 ind. km-2) at the intertidal area were found to be higher than in most other survey sites in Palawan but previous density records at the park indicate a stiff decline. On the contrary, the first record on the density of T. squamosa (950 ind. km-2) at the park is much lower compared to that from other parts of Palawan. Large and commercially valuable gastropods like, Trochus niloticus, Tectus maculatus and T. pyramis that are rarely encountered at the intertidal areas were abundant at the TRNMP. Other important species like Tridacna gigas, Charonia tritonis and Cassis cornuta were not encountered at the study sites. To fully assess the abundance of focal mollusks, permanent transects should be established in the same seven sites but in shallow reef flat of about 2 m deep, in the lagoon and in the intertidal of North and South Islets where species composition, density and growth could be monitored on an annual basis which could be used to evaluate the management effectiveness at the TRNMP.
The Philippine or Palawan Forest Turtle Siebenrockiella leytensis is the only endemic turtle know... more The Philippine or Palawan Forest Turtle Siebenrockiella leytensis is the only endemic turtle known to occur in the Philippines. It was assessed as Critically Endangered in 2000 and has been considered as one of the world’s top 25 most endangered turtles since 2003. The species is accorded protection nationally by the Wildlife Protection and Conservation Act of 2001 and its international commercial trade is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). However, the publication of its rediscovery in 2004 triggered unrelenting poaching and trafficking for the pet trade nationally and internationally. With the aim of quantifying the extent of poaching and to provide insight on the trade dynamics, we analyzed seizure records from 2004–2018 and conducted physical and online market surveys in 2017–2018. Twenty-three (23) seizure incidents involving 4,723 Philippine Forest Turtles were recorded in the last 15 years. Based on an online survey, we estimated...
Adult-Referring to a sexually mature animal. Here specifically referring to specimens of freshwat... more Adult-Referring to a sexually mature animal. Here specifically referring to specimens of freshwater turtles which have established external sexual dimorphism. Anon.-Anonymous. Article IV-Under the convention text of CITES (see below), concerning the Regulation of Trade in Specimens of Species Included in Appendix II. The export of any specimen of a species included in Appendix II shall require the prior grant and presentation of an export permit. An export permit shall only be granted when the following conditions have been met: (a) a Scientific Authority of the State of export has advised that such export will not be detrimental to the survival of that species; (b) a Management Authority of the State of export is satisfied that the specimen was not obtained in contravention of the laws of that State for the protection of fauna and flora; and (c) a Management Authority of the State of export is satisfied that any living specimen will be so prepared and shipped as to minimize the risk of injury, damage to health or cruel treatment. Assurance population-Referring to those populations of the Southeast Asian Box Turtle that are protected and that live under conditions that provide nutrition, mates and an environment that allows population growth. Category I-One of three categories for species under Review of Significant Trade. A Category I species is considered a species of urgent concern and shall include species for which the available information indicates that the provisions of Article IV, paragraph 2 (a), 3 or 6 (a), are not being implemented. CITES-The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. CN-ISO code for China. Commensal-Here referring to turtle species that are commensals of man, meaning turtles that inhabit anthropogenically disturbed habitats. Consumption trade-Trade in freshwater turtles and tortoises, including the Southeast Asian Box Turtle, for food. Exporter-Referring to a trader who exports turtles for commercial purposes. Fecundity-The potential reproductive capacity of an organism or population, measured by the number of eggs. Fecundity can increase or decrease in a population according to current conditions and certain regulating factors such as food supply, birth, death, growth rate. Femorals-2 nd to the last plates on the turtle plastron. Gross exports-Referring to the definition of the CITES Trade Database which is "the total quantity (re-)exported of a given commodity". Gross imports-Referring to the definition of the CITES Trade Database which is "the total quantity imported of a given commodity". Hatchling-A life history stage. Here for the Southeast Asian Box Turtle defined as the stage from hatching until the egg tooth is lost, which is usually 10-19 days after hatching. HK-ISO code for Hong Kong. IATA-International Air Transport Association, which has created standards for the transport of live animals by air. ID-ISO code for Indonesia. Ikan-Bahasa Malaysia word for "fish". In-situ conservation-Meaning "on-site conservation". It is the process of protecting an endangered plant or animal species in its natural habitat. iii Science in CITES:The biology and ecology of the Southeast Asian Box Turtle Cuora amboinensis and its uses and trade in Malaysia IUCN-International Union for Conservation. Juvenile-Here referring to sexually immature individuals of freshwater turtles. Kg. = Kampung-Bahasa Malaysia for 'small village'. Kura Kura-The general Malay term for hard-shelled turtles. Labi Labi-The general Malay term for softshell turtles. MA-CITES Management Authority. A national management body designated in accordance with Article IX of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The Management Authority is responsible for implementing the Convention in its country. In particular, it is the only body competent to grant import, export permits, and re-export certificates on behalf of that Party. Even though a Party may designate more than one Management Authority, one must be designated as the Management Authority responsible for communication with other Parties and the Secretariat. Malayan Box Turtle-English name of the subspecies C. amboinensis kamaroma that occurs in Malaysia. In the following the term Malayan Box Turtle is used if the statement is only valid for the Malayan subspecies C. amboinensis kamaroma. MeCL-Median carapace length, measured in straight carapace length. Melaleuca swamps-Referring to low lying coastal areas, seasonally inundated by fresh water and dominated by water-loving trees, the Melaleucas of the family Myrtaceae. Merit release-Referring to the Chinese tradition of releasing one or several turtles to a temple or to the wild believing that this will bring long life to the person performing the action. Here categorised as one of the potential uses for trading the Southeast Asian Box Turtle. Middleman-Referring to a trader who buys turtles from collectors and sells them to a supplier or to an exporter. MoNRE-Malaysia's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. MY-ISO code for Malaysia. NDF-Non-detrimental or non-detriment finding-A conclusion by a Scientific Authority that the export of specimens of a particular species will not negatively affect the survival of the species in the wild. The non-detriment finding by a Scientific Authority is required prior to the issuance of an export or import permit or a certificate for an introduction from the sea may be granted for a specimen of an Appendix-I species, and prior an export permit or a certificate for an introduction from the sea may be granted for a specimen of an Appendix-II species. Net exports-Referring to the definition of the CITES Trade Database which is "the positive difference between total (re-)exports (gross) and the total imports (gross)". Net imports-Referring to the definition of the CITES Trade Database which is "the positive difference between total imports (gross) and the total (re-)exports (gross)". NGO-Non-government organization. Normal distribution-In statistics a function that represents the distribution of many random variables as a symmetrical bell-shaped graph. Orang Asli-Indigenous people of Peninsular Malaysia. PERHILITAN-Pejabat Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara = Department of Wildlife and National Parks, one of the key CITES Management Authorities in Peninsular Malaysia, responsible for issuance of permits for all fauna except fish and marine species. Pet trade-Referring to the trade of species such as the Southeast Asian Box Turtle for the purpose of keeping it as pet. Population-The number of individuals of a certain species in a certain place. Precautionary Principle-A rule according to which pre-emptive conservation measures to avoid or Science in CITES:The biology and ecology of the Southeast Asian Box Turtle Cuora amboinensis and its uses and trade in Malaysia iv minimize a threat to a population of a species may be taken even when there is a lack of full scientific certainty as to the threat. Protected species-Referring to species that are protected under Malaysian law. Review of Significant Trade-A CITES-mandated process in cases, where export levels for Appendix II species are significant and/or considered to be of concern for conservation measures. Resolution Conf. 8.9 (Rev.) provides a mechanism whereby the CITES Animals or Plants Committee can review the situation and formulate recommendations to ensure that the export is not detrimental to the survival of wild populations of the species under review. Schedule-Wildlife species that are protected or which are otherwise regulated under the Malaysian Government are divided into different schedules, whereas Schedule I lists totally protected species and Schedule II lists protected species. Scientific Authority (SA)-A national scientific advisory body designated in accordance with CITES Article IX of the Convention. A Scientific Authority is responsible for providing technical and scientific advice to its Management Authority, in particular as to whether the export or introduction from the sea of a specimen will be detrimental to the survival in the wild of the species involved. A Party may designate more than one Scientific Authority. SEA-Southeast Asia. SG-ISO code for Singapore. Sg. = Sungai-Bahasa Malaysia term for "river". Southeast Asian Box Turtle-English name for the species Cuora amboinensis that comprises four subspecies. Here the term Southeast Asian Box Turtle is used when referring to the species C. amboinensis in general. Subadult-A life history stage used to classify immature individuals, which are sometimes also referred to as large juveniles or late juvenile. Subadults already express external sexual dimorphism. Supplier-Referring to a trader who buys turtles either from collectors or from middlemen and sells them either to the local market or to an exporter. Tamu-Bahasa Malaysia term for a large street market where mainly food but also clothing and handicrafts are sold. Every of these markets usually has at least one aquarium/pet stall that sells fishes and/or pet animals incl. freshwater turtles. TCM-Traditional Chinese Medicine; this is one of the major reasons for trading the Southeast Asian Box Turtle. Testudines-Taxonomic term that comprises all turtles, terrapins and tortoises. Tortoise-Term commonly used for terrestrial turtles not associated with wetlands. Trader-Refers to any person dealing with the Southeast Asian Box Turtle or other reptile species, including collectors, middlemen, suppliers, and exporters. TRAFFIC-The wildlife trade monitoring network, a joint programme of WWF and IUCN. TSD-Temperature-dependent sex determination. Turtle-Here generally used for all freshwater turtles and tortoises. TW-ISO code for Taiwan.
For almost a century, the harvesting and processing of sea cucumbers into trepang has been a sour... more For almost a century, the harvesting and processing of sea cucumbers into trepang has been a source of income for many Philippine families. Exports, however, increased tremendously in recent years, from 250 t in 1977, and 1189 t in 1984 (1977–1984 statistics from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippines) to 2123 t in 1996 (FAO, 1996). The Philippines is now the second major producer and exporter of dried sea cucumber in the world (Conand & Byrne, 1993; Conand, in press). Despite its importance in the world market, no comprehensive study about the bêche-de-mer exploitation in the Philippines has been conducted. The increasing depletion of sea cucumber stocks is obvious and has only been sporadically documented (Trinidad-Roa, 1987; Schoppe et al., 1998; Schoppe, in press). In the mean time, sea cucumber sizes have become smaller and collections must be conducted in deeper waters.
TRAFFIC Southeast Asia identified the Southeast Asian Box Turtle as a heavily traded species to b... more TRAFFIC Southeast Asia identified the Southeast Asian Box Turtle as a heavily traded species to be used as a case study for science-based management, which could serve as a model for other CITES Appendix II species in trade. This study aims to assess the legislation in place to regulate trade in freshwater turtles and tortoises and to identify past and current harvest and trade levels.
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Papers by Sabine Schoppe