The exploitation and sale of wildlife species that are endangered in only part of their range present regulators with the critical challenge of separating legal from illegal takes. Wildlife DNA registers created from tissue samples of legally obtained individual wildlife specimens can address this problem by allowing managers to identify unregistered (presumably illegally obtained) specimens. We tested the effectiveness of the only current, fully operational wildlife DNA register of individual genetic profiles collected from legally caught minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Twenty minke whale tissue samples collected at markets in Norway and 2 additional samples collected from beached minke whales in Denmark were genotyped at 12 loci used by the Norwegian minke whale DNA register Genetic profiles of these samples then were compared against the 2676 individual profiles deposited in the Norwegian register The high number of genetic markers used to identify individuals in our study allowed consistent matching of sample and reference profiles despite an overall error rate (due to experimental and interlaboratory data standardization) estimated at 0.015 per locus. Of the 22 test samples only the 2 Danish samples failed to match an existing profile in the Norwegian minke whale DNA register Our results show that the basic principle of wildlife DNA registers can work in a real-life situation. The strength of wildlife DNA registers lies in their ability to unambiguously identify unregistered specimens with the aid of sensitive genetic methods that enable analysis of highly processed or degraded tissue samples. Our study also highlights a number of methodological problems such as laboratory errors and interlaboratory data standardization, which need be addressed to ensure a successful implementation of wildlife DNA registers.
Since 1997, year of the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP10) of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) all 27 species of Acipenseriformes, 25 sturgeon and 2 paddlefish, are listed on the Appendices of the Convention. The monitoring of international trade has significantly improved. CITES measures have been adopted and limits have been established to better control caviar shipments. Through the CITES Review of Significant Trade, recommendations were made to range States that share sturgeon stocks to agree on a joint fisheries management regime. A severe reduction of annual caviar export quotas was recommended to Eurasian sturgeon range States where commercial fisheries take place. From 1999 to 2004, the global export quota for caviar from wild sources was halved, but over these six years international trade records dropped four folds, from 289 tonnes (288 950 kilograms) to 63.4 t. The level of caviar consumption within producing countries (domestic markets) remained unknown. Major caviar trading nations, particularly importing Parties, were very slow in implementing the new CITES provisions, such as the universal labelling system for the identification of caviar. The scarcity of caviar supply from sturgeon fisheries is gradually being compensated by the aquaculture production that has increased significantly. But without a broader strategy, the development of sturgeon farms will not help reduce the pressure on Acipenseriformes stocks. Since the mid-1980s, the over-fishing observed in many range States, particularly along the Amur and Danube river basins, as well as around the Caspian Sea, was characterised by the poaching of sturgeon to supply lucrative illicit caviar markets. Geo-political and economical changes that occurred in these regions have attracted the attention of institutions such as the World Bank and IUCN (The World Conservation Union), which promotes integrated conservation and development approaches. In this context, besides coordination on enforcement matters, the CITES process has a stronger role to play in materialising action plans and in supporting synergies between stakeholders, including the commercial sector, scientists, socioeconomists, investment institutions, government agencies, interand non-government organisations.
Since 1 April 1998, the international trade in Acipenseriformes (25 species of sturgeon and 2 paddlefish) is monitored and controlled under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). CITES trade data for 1998 suggest that the international trade in caviar is substantial, totalling 275 tonnes, and dominated by a few nations: 95% of the caviar is exported and imported by less than 20 countries. The 1998 world exports, as reported by CITES Parties, also included 44.6 tonnes of sturgeon meat and 0.5 million live specimens (juveniles and fertilised eggs) of sturgeon and paddlefish. Data analysis and consultation with relevant authorities and traders indicate that CITES listing of all Acipenseriformes has resulted in better monitoring and control of the international trade of these species. Range states were recommended to establish annual export quotas for specimens and products of Acipenseriformes, but the scientific bases for setting these quotas are often unclear and would benefit from verification by independent experts. This mechanism was initiated following the decision adopted in April 2000 of incorporating Acipenseriformes in the Significant Trade Review of CITES. Primary results concluded that for six species (Acipenser gueldenstaedti, A. nudiventris, A. schrencki, A. stellatus, Huso huso and H. dauricus) the provisions of CITES were not implemented properly by range States and international trade may therefore be detrimental to the survival of wild populations. Under the Significant Trade Review CITES has the capacity to influence the conservation strategy implemented by exporting countries that are Parties to the Convention. It is an on‐going process that will continue as long as the CITES forum considers that ranges States do not comply with CITES provisions.
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