An arrk and 9 tuned notes
Press release CITES CoP19 n°6 – Continuation and End
Panama
Arrk !
The whole world agrees to oppose deforestation in the Amazon. However, for the Brazilwood (Paubrasilia echinata), CITES is sensitive to the music of chainsaws and is not concerned about the disappearance of Brazil’s last Atlantic forests. Among the trees that have fallen victim is the Brazilwood, whose wood is used for bows and bow blanks for violins and other string instruments (see the paragraph on Brazilwood in the press release “Panama, the great sellout of wild animals and plants”, Nov 14, 2022).
CITES : 11 ups and one down
Press release CITES CoP19 n°5
Panama
Diplomatic tensions
By taking a close look at all the proposals for Appendix I or Appendix II listings, the Chinese delegation found 15 “inaccuracies” with regard to the qualifications of Hong Kong, Macao and especially Taiwan. “Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. The “one China” principle is one of the fundamental norms governing international relations. Any act that creates “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan” violates international law.”
The ups and downs of CITES
Press release CITES CoP19 n°4
Panama
Pineapple sea cucumber (Thelenota ananas), giant sea cucumber (T. anax) and red-lined sea cucumber (T. rubralineata)
The proposal by the European Union, the Seychelles and the United States to list the 3 species of the genus Thelenota in Appendix II was accepted by 97 votes in favour with 16 against and 15 abstentions. The listing will come into force after 18 months. France, which initiated the proposal, stressed the key role of sea cucumbers in ecosystems. In the seabed, sea cucumbers have a role comparable to that of earthworms.
Good news for macaques
Press release CITES CoP19 n°3
Panama
On November 16, authorities arrested Masphal Kry, Director of Wildlife and Biodiversity at Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in the transit zone of John F. Kennedy Airport, New York. Masphal Kry was traveling to Panama. He was expected to be the head of Cambodia’s delegation to the plenary session of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).