My Hotel in Action a Guide to Sustainable Use of Biological Resources in the Caribbean

Biodiversity: My hotel in action A guide to sustainable use of biological resources in the Caribbean

CARIBBEAN EDITION

TM IUCN CARIBBEAN ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the The Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) was world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and established by members of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism development challenges. Association (CHTA) in 1997 to promote responsible environmental and social management of natural and heritage resources within the hotel IUCN works on biodiversity, climate change, energy, human livelihoods and tourism sector. As a key CHTA subsidiary, it is also the only not- and greening the world economy by supporting scientific research, for-profit in the region that focuses on the responsible development managing field projects all over the world, and bringing governments, of the Caribbean tourism private sector. Through its programs and NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and services, CAST provides guidance and expertise in awareness raising best practice. programs, environmental management systems and best practices in IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental accordance with the goals of Agenda 21. organization, with more than 1,200 government and NGO members CAST’s Mission is to enhance the practices of the region’s hotel and and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. IUCN’s tourism operators by providing high quality education and training work is supported by over 1,000 staff in 45 offices and hundreds of related to sustainable tourism; promote the industry’s efforts and partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world. successes to the traveling public and other stakeholders; and serve as www.iucn.org a vital link to all stakeholders with sustainable tourism interests in the Caribbean region. TRAFFIC THE CARIBBEAN TOURISM ORGANIZATION TRAFFIC was established in 1976, with a mission of working to ensure The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), with headquarters in that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation Barbados and marketing operations in New York, London and Toronto, of nature. TRAFFIC’s vision is of a world in which trade in wild plants is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency and comprises and animals is managed at sustainable levels without damaging the membership of over 30 member governments and a myriad of private integrity of ecological systems and in such a manner that it makes a sector entities. significant contribution to human needs, supports local and national economies and helps to motivate commitments to the conservation of The CTO’s mission is to provide to and through its members, the wild species and their habitats. A global, research-driven and action- services and information needed for the development of sustainable oriented network, TRAFFIC is governed by a steering committee tourism for the economic and social benefit of the Caribbean people. composed of members of the network’s partner organisations, WWF The organization provides specialized support and technical assistance and IUCN, and also works in close cooperation with the Secretariat of to member countries in the areas of marketing, human resource the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild development, research and statistics, information technology and Fauna and Flora (CITES). TRAFFIC (http://www.traffic.org) is composed sustainable tourism development. The CTO disseminates information of around 100 staff based in nearly 30 countries, worldwide. on behalf of its member governments to consumers and the travel trade. The CTO’s New York office is located at 80 Broad St., Suite 3200, New York, NY 10004, USA: Tel: (212) 635-9530; Fax: (212) 635-9511; E-mail: [email protected]; CTO’s London office is located at The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, England. Tel: 011 44 208 948 0057; Fax: 011 44 208 948 0067; E-mail: ctolondon@caribtourism. com; CTO Headquarters is located at One Financial Place, Collymore Rock, St, Michael, Barbados; Tel: (246) 427-5242; Fax: (246) 429- 3065; E-mail: [email protected]. For more information, please visit www.caribbeantravel.com or www.onecaribbean.org. Get the latest CTO updates on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ctotourism. Connect with CTO on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ CaribbeanTourismOrganization. Biodiversity: My hotel in action A guide to sustainable use of biological resources in the Caribbean

TM “Every choice you make as a hotelier makes a difference to nature, whether it’s about the food you serve in your restaurant, the souvenirs you sell in your shop or the local tour advice you give to your guests. Change however can be challenging. We, at IUCN, hope that by providing you with this guide, we can help make the challenge of reaching sustainable hotel practice easier.” Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Director General, IUCN

The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN or TRAFFIC concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN, TRAFFIC and Accor. This publication has been made possible in part by the generous funding from the French Ministry for Sustainable Development, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the French Overseas Territories Ministry, and Accor. Published by: IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, in collaboration with TRAFFIC and Accor Copyright: © 2012 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorized without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holder. Citation: Biodiversity: My hotel in action A guide to sustainable use of biological resources in the Caribbean Gland, Switzerland: IUCN and TRAFFIC. 148pp. ISBN: 978-2-8317-1453-0 Cover design by: Charlescannon Cover photos (each row from left to right, top to bottom) Layout by: Charlescannon, Thad Mermer © Cat HOLLOWAY / WWF-Canon © Claudio CONTRERAS / WWF-Canon Produced by: IUCN Business and Biodiversity Programme © Chris Martin BAHR / WWF-Canon Printed by: Polygravia SA © Adrian REUTER © Jürgen Freund / WWF-Canon Available from: IUCN (International Union © Mauri RAUTKARI / WWF-Canon for Conservation of Nature) © Andrew VOVIDES Publications Services © Anthony B. RATH / WWF-Canon Rue Mauverney 28 © Claudio CONTRERAS / WWF-Canon 1196 Gland Switzerland Back cover photos (each row from left to right, top to bottom) Tel +41 22 999 0000 © Darren JEW / WWF-Canon Fax +41 22 999 0020 © Anthony B. RATH / WWF-Canon [email protected] © Andrew VOVIDES www.iucn.org/publications IUCN Photo Library © IUCN / Ger BERGKAMP © Michael ROGGO / WWF-Canon A catalogue of IUCN publications is also available. © Chris Martin BAHR / WWF-Canon This guide is printed on FSC paper made from wood fibre from © Martin HARVEY / WWF-Canon well-managed forests certified in accordance with the rules of the © Renato SEHN, Director, Ilha do Papagaio Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). © Juan PRATGINESTOS / WWF-Canon also developed a sustainable tourism strategy also developedasustainable tourismstrategy benefit ofthePeople theCaribbean”.We have sustainable tourism information necessaryforthe to andthrough itsmembers,theservicesand organization’s missionstatement is“To provide from theoutset.Itisimportanttonotethat The CTOhashadsustainabilityatitscore anyone involvedintourism. will benefitnotjusttheaccommodationsector, but Caribbean. It’s avaluableandusefulresource that sustainable useofbiologicalresources inthe pleased toendorsethisveryimportantguide “The CaribbeanTourism Organization(CTO)is , for the social and economic , forthesocialandeconomic development of development of Secretary General andCEO,CaribbeanTourism Organization M. HughRiley publication helpsstrengthen ourmessage.” of developmentourhotels andresorts. This must beimportantconsideration ineverystage emphasize thatbiodiversityandconservation sustainable useofourresources andwe Therefore, wepromote andencourage the communities among government,theprivatesectorand an improvedqualityoflifethroughpartnerships basis, toprovideauniquevisitorexperienceand development onanequitableandself-sustaining cultural, socialandfinancialresourcesfornational development isthe based onthepremise thatsustainabletourism . optimal use of natural, optimal useofnatural,

IUCN Photo Library © IUCN / Sue Mainka Acknowledgments

The development of this guide was made A special thanks to: possible thanks to the contributions of many The team of Experts who drafted the guide: committed individuals, as well as the generous Richard Tapper, Environment Business & Development Group Frits Hesselink, HECT Consultancy financial support of the French Ministry for Ghislain Dubois and Marie Lootvoet, TEC - Tourisme, Transports, Sustainable Development, the French Ministry of Territoires, Environnement Conseil Sue Wells, Ed Parnell and Martin Jenkins - TRAFFIC consultants Foreign Affairs, the French Overseas Territories Paola Mosig, Adrian Reuter and Ulrich Malessa – TRAFFIC North America Ministry and Accor. A committed Editor: Amy Sweeting

The project Coordinators: Giulia Carbone, Business and Biodiversity Programme, IUCN Patricia Cortijo, Environment Director, Accor Sustainable Development

The patient Reviewers: Marta Andelman, IUCN Commission on Education and Communication Ludovic Armand, Ministry for Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Planning and Development (France) Keerti Averbouch, Ministry for Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Planning and Development (France) Tim Badman, IUCN Protected Areas Programme Maria Ana Borges, IUCN Business and Biodiversity Programme Monica Borobia, Roteiros de Charme Dena Cator, IUCN Species Programme Annabelle Cuttelod, IUCN Mediterranean Programme Saskia de Koning, IUCN Business and Biodiversity Programme Aymeric Eekman, IUCN Mediterranean Programme Benoit Herrmann, Project Manager, Accor Sustainable Development Oliver Hillel, Convention on Biological Diversity Stephane Hotton, Ibis Agen Centre David Huberman, IUCN Economics IUCN Photo Library © / Enrique Lahmann

Andrew Hurd, IUCN Marine Programme Renato Sehn, Owner, Pousada Ilha do Papagaio (Papagaio Island Inn) Sandrine Porteron, Global Marketing, Ibis Helenio and Ildiko Waddington, Owners, Hotel Rosa dos Ventos Christophe Quevremont, Accor Group Procurement Department The Members of ACCOR’s Biodiversity Group, who attended the Mohammad Rafiq, IUCN Business and Biodiversity Programme initial workshop in January 2008 that helped structure the guide: Pedro Rosabal, IUCN Protected Areas Programme Gilles Attias, Manager, Sofitel Athens Airport Jerome Sanchez, Etap Hotel Aubervilliers Chris Broodryk, Regional Maintenance Manager, Accor Asia-Pacific Juergen E. Seidel, Six Senses Resorts & Spas Laurent Delporte, Business & City Hotels Brand Manager, Global Deidre Shurland, Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) Marketing Sofitel François Simard, IUCN Mediterranean Programme Pascal Fillon, Sustainable Development Project Manager, Global Marketing Accor Anna Spencely, Species Survival Commission Dan Gilligan, Vice-President of Energy and Environmental Services, Accor Jamie Sweeting, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. North America Richard Thomas, TRAFFIC Jean Hentz, Sustainable Development Coordinator, Etap/F1 Crawford Allan, TRAFFIC Stephane Hotton, Manager, Ibis Agen Centre Claudia Saborit, TRAFFIC consultant Sophie Janet, Junior Product Manager, Global Marketing Etap/F1 Judith Voermans, IUCN Netherlands Committee Monika Krzerszowiec, Manager Mercure Wroclaw Paul Warmeant, Integrated Development Solutions Jean Baptiste Le Blan, Product Manager, Global Marketing Novotel The Testimonials: Shanmugam Nanthakumar, Projects & Maintenance Manager, Accor Asia Eduardo Bagnoli, Owner, Manary Praia Hotel Domminique Ottiger, Product Manager, Global Marketing Ibis Daniel Cunin, Manager, Novotel Limoges le Lac Johanne Payen, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Accor Elisabeth Dissauer, Manager of Mercure Wien City & Accor Austria Hospitality Middle East, Africa & Indian Ocean Sustainable Development Manager Christophe Quevremont, Junior Product Manager, Accor Group Laurent Guerre-Genton, Manager, Ibis Blois Vallée Maillard Procurement Jean Hentz, Sustainable Development Coordinator, Etap/F1 Claude Ronda, Design Manager, Accor Group Marketing Yves Lecret, Director of Marketing Operational, Novotel France Alice Sadois, Food Quality Manager, Accor Group Procurement Nathanaël Mathieu, Sustainable Development Project Manager, Accor Francisco Sobrinho, Operations Director, Ibis Brasil Lucia Padovan, Support Manager, Franchised Hotels Accor Italy Jean-Marc Schnell, Operations Director, Accor Western Africa Eric Robert, Director of Operational Marketing and Quality, Sofitel Luxury Jérôme Sanchez, Manager, Etap Hotel Aubervilliers Hotels - Southern Europe, North Africa Hélène Roques, Sustainable Development Director, Accor Juergen E. Seidel, Group Director of Property Maintenance, Engineering & Innovation, Six Senses Resorts & Spas Contents

How to use this guide 8 Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends 59 Guidelines for the sustainable use of biological resources Part I: Biodiversity and hotels 10 1. Tuna 64 About biodiversity 2. Salmon 68 What does biodiversity do for us? 10 3. Molluscs 72 How do we harm biodiversity? 11 4. Crustaceans 82 And what we can do to conserve it? 15 5. Other fish 92 About the Caribbean 16 6. Caviar 98 Towards a “green” hotel 7. Woods for furniture and construction 100 How do hotels impact on biodiversity? 19 8. Medicinal and aromatic plants for amenities and spa products 104 Part II: Taking action in the hotel 23 9. Live animals 108 10. Wildlife-based souvenirs 112 Principles for taking biodiversity action in a hotel 24 11. Caribbean Marine Turtles 118 Taking action in hotel restaurants 28 12. Horticultural plants 120 Taking action in guest rooms and public spaces 13. Activities and excursions 126 Wood 36 Amenities and spa products 38 Ornamental plants and animals 40 Appendices Taking action in hotel souvenir shops 42 Appendix 1: Taking action in hotel grounds and gardens 46 Communicating with a hotel’s internal 130 and external stakeholders Taking action in the destination Supporting local biodiversity conservation efforts 49 Appendix 2: Activities and excursions offered at the tour desk 50 Working with partners in the destination 134 Appendix 3: Caribbean CITES Management Authorities 137 Appendix 4: Promoting sustainable purchases of wildlife products 146 Fig. 2: Fig. 1: Box 17: Box 16: Box 15: Box 14: Box 13:Designofahotelprocurementpolicy Box 12: Box 11:Savingthecorkoaklandscapesbyserving Box 10:Seafoodandagriculturalcertificationschemes Box 9: Box 8: Box 7: Box 6: Box 5: Box 4: Box 3: Box 2: Box 1: Boxes andFigures lifecycleofahotel winewithcorkstoppers biodiversitypracticesforhotels? stagesofnewhotels wildlife theenvironmentandbiodiversity Biodiversityresourcesinahotel Impactsonbiodiversitythroughoutthe Areasofhighbiodiversityvalue Sustainabletourismguidelines Mineralandfossilsouvenirs MarineAquariumCouncilcertification Forest-relatedcertificationsystems Threatenedspecies Whatarethebusinessbenefitsofresponsible Guidanceforsiting,designandconstruction AlieninvasivespeciesaffecttheCarribeannative ofspecies TheCaribbeanishometoawidevariety Milestonesininternationalactiontoprotect Climatechange,biodiversityandtourism Biodiversityunderthreat The importanceofgeneticdiversityamongspecies 22 18 53 52 43 41 37 26 20 19 17 16 14 13 12 38 35 33 11

Testimonials Accor commitstothe‘PlantforPlanet’programme The beach,aplaceforraisingstaffawareness Accor Austriaanditsbathotels Six Sensescommitstoprotectingsharks Birds, thenewguestsatEtapHotels Partnerships fornaturalgardens Discouraging illegalsouvenirs A souvenirthatsupportsbiodiversityconservation More naturalcosmetics Sustainable food Community-cultivated seafoodforconservation Protecting anecosystemservice:naturalwatersupply Rediscovering localfoodproductsatMercure Eating “organic”atSofitel Protection ofbiodiversity:anintegratedapproach 56 55 55 54 52 47 45 44 39 35 34 32 31 30 27

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends Part II: Taking action in the hotel Part I: Biodiversity and Hotels How to use this guide

Biodiversity plays an important role in the day-to-day life of a To get a quick overview of what biodiversity is, why it hotel: from the food in the restaurant and wood in furniture and is important and how hotels interact with it, read Part I, fittings, to the amenities in the spa, the products of biodiversity Biodiversity and Hotels. are everywhere inside hotels. Outside, plants and animals To find out about specific actions that your hotel can take make a hotel’s public areas and gardens attractive for guests, to protect biodiversity and be biodiversity-friendly, go to the while beyond the hotel gate, national parks, green spaces, “Taking action …” sections in Part II. Each section focuses on coasts and natural habitats provide guests with opportunities a different area of hotel operations, including: for recreation and enjoyment. • Restaurants; The purpose of this guide is to help owners and managers of small and large hotels, located in all areas, from cities to • Guest rooms and public areas; mountain to coastal areas, to conserve nature. In particular, it • Hotel souvenir shops; is designed to guide the sustainable use of biological resources • Hotel grounds and gardens; and in the day-to-day operations of hotels. • The wider destination beyond the hotel’s gates, including This guide is meant to complement the many tools that are recreation opportunities for your guests. already available to help you reduce environmental impacts in your hotel, by using appropriate siting, design and construction Each section in Part II gives practical suggestions for what practices, and by improving management of energy and water hotels can do to help conserve biodiversity, testimonials consumption, and disposal of wastewater and solid wastes. of what some hotels around the world are already doing, and a summary of the local and global biodiversity issues surrounding each topic. You may want to use these sections with managers and senior staff in each of the operational areas.

If you need more information to help you implement actions suggested in the “Taking action …” sections, go to Part III, where 13 technical factsheets developed by TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, provide detailed information on procuring and using a variety of biological resources, from seafood to wood to souvenirs.

For ideas on how you can communicate your hotel’s biodiversity actions to staff, guests and other stakeholders, go to Appendix 1. And for guidance on ways to set up partnerships in a destination, go to Appendix 2. When using this guide, remember that it is important to involve all relevant managers and staff in putting the actions into practice. The same action may need to be implemented in different ways according to the management structure of your hotel (and in particular how management roles and responsibilities are assigned). Take procurement for example: in small hotels, the hotel manager might handle all procurement, while in larger hotels, senior staff may take on this role in each operational area, and hotel groups may organize procurement through a central procurement department. So it is important to make sure © Anja G. BURNS / WWF-US that the right people within your hotel or group are involved.

8 Part I: Biodiversity Part II: Taking action Part III: TRAFFIC and hotels in the hotel Recommends – Factsheets on the sustainable use of biological resources

Principles for biodiversity actions

Taking action in hotel restaurants 1. Tuna 2. Salmon 3. Molluscs 4. Crustaceans 5. Other fish

About biodiversity 6. Caviar

• What does biodiversity do for us?

• How do we harm biodiversity?

• And what can we do to conserve it? Taking action in guest rooms 7. Woods for furniture • About the Caribbean and public areas and construction

Towards a “green” hotel • Wood 8. Medicinal and aromatic plants for amenities and spa products • How do hotels impact • Amenities and spa products 9. Live animals on biodiversity? • Ornamental plants and animals

Taking action in hotel 10. Wildlife-based souvenirs souvenir shops 11. Caribbean Marine turtles

Taking action in hotel grounds 12. Horticultural plants and gardens

Taking action in the destination 13. Activities and excursions

• Supporting local biodiversity conservation efforts

• Activities and excursions offered at the tour desk

9 Part I: Biodiversity and Hotels © Serge Detalle

About biodiversity

Biodiversity is everywhere. Look around and you’ll see plenty categories according to their physical features and the types of of different types of organisms – insects, plants, birds and organisms that inhabit them. other animals. Go for a walk and you’ll notice different types of One of the features of life on earth is that species depend on habitats and ecosystems – woods, grasslands, ponds, rivers each other. For example, predators like the Caribbean reef shark and coasts – each with different species of animals and plants. need prey like fish to feed on. The fish, in turn, get their food by Unless you use a microscope, you won’t see microorganisms, eating a variety of species found in the coral reef such as snails, but they too are part of the natural world. polyps, other invertebrates and algae. Draw the links between This is biodiversity – our planet’s diversity of living organisms predators and prey, between prey species and their food plants, and their natural homes. Combining the Greek word for life, and you start to see how different species interact with each bios, with diversity, the term biodiversity refers simply to the other. Change one part of this web, the sharks, fish or coral vast variety of life on Earth. This diversity is expressed in many reefs, and the effects will be felt throughout the links between the ways, from the number of species of living organisms, to the species. The interdependency of species within an ecosystem variations between individuals of those species, to the variety makes biodiversity an important indicator of the health of the of ways in which these species group together to form different living world: when biodiversity starts to decline, it is often a sign habitats and ecosystems. An ecosystem is the combination of that the ecosystem is in trouble, and so is human society. living organisms and the physical environment in which they live. Each main type of ecosystem – from forests, mountains, What does biodiversity do for us? deserts and grasslands, to freshwater, coastal and marine Biodiversity is essential for human life. It provides human ecosystems – can be subdivided into more specific ecosystem society with many important benefits and services: for

10 and services,human activitiesarecausingtremendous Although biodiversity providesoursocietywith vitalproducts How doweharmbiodiversity? provided bynaturalecosystems. are replacingartificialfertilisers andpesticideswithservices freshwater supplies.Inagriculture, sustainablefarmingsystems watersheds isnowanimportantpartofthemanagement defences insomeareas,whileprotectionofecosystems and vegetationisusedasanalternativetoman-madesea alternatives. Forexample,restorationofcoastalmarshes they canprovidekeyservices,inpreferencetoman-made recover. Increasingly,ecosystemsarebeingrestoredsothat so thatbiodiversityandnaturalresourceshaveachanceto is forustoreduceouradverseimpactsonthenaturalworld, damaged. Theonlyoptionthatwillconservethesebenefits just notpossibletoreplacethemwithtechnologyiftheyare All oftheseservicesarevitalforourwell-being,anditis Supportingservices: • Culturalservices: • • • four basictypesofecosystemservices: Assessment (http://www.millenniumassessment.org)describes as ecosystemservices.The2005MillenniumEcosystem of naturaldisasters.Thesebenefitsarecollectivelyknown and helpprotectusfromextremeweather,includingmitigation environment influenceourclimate,watersuppliesandairquality, fertile soils.Interactionsbetweenorganismsandthephysical and fungi,wormsmicro-organismsproducenutrients instance, insectspollinateourcrops,birdsdisperseseeds,

nutrient cyclingandprovisionofhabitats. services, includingbiomassproduction,soilformation, necessary fortheproductionofallotherecosystem educational andrecreationalbenefits; humans derivefromnature,includingaesthetic,spiritual, flood control,diseaseregulationandwaterpurification; ecological processesinbalance,suchasclimateregulation, Regulating services: and cropsecurity(seeBox1); fibre forclothing,aswellgeneticresourcesmedicines materials, suchaswoodforfurnitureandconstruction biodiversity provides,includingfood,freshwater,fuel,and Provisioning services: Thesearethenon-materialvaluesthat Thesearetheservicesthatkeepmajor Thesearetheservicesthat Thesearethetangibleproductsthat

11 the naturalworldislesshealthyandmorestressed, being degradedasaresultofhumanactivity.Whatremains extinction rate,while60percentofecosystemservicesare biodiversity lossareuptoanestimated100timesthenatural Convention onBiologicalDiversitynotedthatcurrentratesof the environment.InJuly2008,ExecutiveDirectorof rising consumptionandarapidincreaseinhumanimpactson is alsobecomingmoreaffluentandmobile,leadingto past fewdecades,andisstillrising.Partofthispopulation biodiversity. Worldpopulationhasrisendramaticallyoverthe Everything weconsume,allthrowaway,hasanimpacton damage toecosystemsandspeciesaroundtheworld. Climatechange: • biodiversity thatwenowface,including: There areanumberofreasonsfortheoverallloss systems areoutofbalance(seeBox2). ipcc.ch), 20to30percentofplantandanimalspecies Intergovernmental PanelonClimateChange(http://www. animal speciesthroughouttheworld.Accordingto and similarfactorsthataffectthedistributionofplant temperature, rainfallpatterns,wateravailability,drought http://www.bmu.de/files/pdfs/allgemein/application/pdf/faltblatt_biovielfalt_en.pdf Conservation andNuclear Safety(Germany) Biodiversity, theBasis of ourLife,FederalMinistryfortheEnvironment, Nature Source: food security. protecting naturalspeciesdiversity forourfuture This experiencedemonstrates theimportanceof of ricevarietiesthatwasresistanttothevirus. until scientistsdiscoveredoneamongthethousands threatened massivestarvationandfinancialruin, crops fromIndiatoSoutheastAsia.Theoutbreak varieties? Inthe1970s,aviruswasdestroyingrice sense toconcentrateonthecultivationofjustafew species. Doweneedthemall?Woulditnotmake are 100,000knownvarietiesofjustonethese billions ofpeoplearoundtheworld.Yet,there Just twodifferentricespeciesprovidefoodfor diversity amongspecies Box 1:Theimportanceofgenetic Human-induced climatechangeisaltering

Part I: Biodiversity and Hotels Box 2: Biodiversity under threat Extinction threat for Primates The first comprehensive review of the world’s 634 Threatened species kinds of primates in five years has found that almost According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened 50 percent of species are in danger of going extinct, SpeciesTM in 2010 (Version 2010.4), a total of 18,351 according to the 2010 IUCN Red List of Threatened species out of 55,926 assessed species (i.e. 33 per Species™. In Asia, more than 70 percent of primates cent) are known to be threatened with extinction, meaning that they are listed as either Critically are classified as threatened, meaning they could Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable. disappear forever in the near future. These include: “Tropical forest destruction has always been the main • Mammals: 1,131 species cause, but now it appears that hunting is just as serious (21 percent of all known mammals); a threat in some areas” says Russell A. Mittermeier, • Birds: 1,240 species Chair of IUCN’s Primate Specialist Group. As our (12 percent of all known birds); closest relatives, apes, monkeys and other primates are important to the health of surrounding ecosystems. The • Fish: 1,851 species forests they live in provide vital resources for humans and (21 percent of all assessed (i.e. 8,848 species) fish); also absorb carbon dioxide that causes climate change. • Reptiles: 594 species (21 percent of all assessed (i.e. 2,806 species) Source: http://cms.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/species/index.cfm?uNewsID=1391 reptiles); • Amphibians: 1,898 species Forest loss (30 percent of all assessed (i.e. 6,296 species) Forests have effectively disappeared in 25 countries, amphibians); and and another 29 countries have lost more than 90 • Plants: 8,724 species percent of their forest cover. For example: (68 percent of all assessed (i.e. 12,914 species) • Illegal logging has destroyed more than half of plants). Indonesia’s forests, and is driving species such Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org as the Sumatran rhino, tiger and orang-utan (http://www.iucnredlist.org/documents/summarystatistics/2010_4RL_Stats_Table_1.pdf) toward extinction. • Unsustainable logging threatens mahogany Corals under threat and forest ecosystems in Latin America and the The first comprehensive global assessment of reef- Caribbean. The majority of mahogany species have building corals revealed in 2008 that one third of the been designated as threatened on the IUCN Red species are threatened with extinction. The study was List. Mahogany is often used for fine furniture and conducted by leading coral experts and the Global other products. Marine Species Assessment (GMSA) – a joint initiative of Sources: IUCN and Conservation International (CI). Researchers Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, Chapter 21, Forest and Woodland Systems, in report on Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Current State and Trends identified the main threats to corals as climate change, http://www.millenniumassessment.org/, destructive fishing, declining water quality from pollution Nellemann, C., Miles, L., Kaltenborn, B. P., Virue, M., and Alhenius, H. (Editors), 2007. The last stand of the orangutan – State of emergency: Illegal logging, fire and palm oil in and degradation of coastal habitats. Indonesia’s national parks. United Nations Environment Programme, GRID-Arendal, Norway. http://www.grida.no/_documents/orangutan/full_orangutanreport.pdf Big Leaf Mahogany, Natural Resources Defense Council http://www.nrdc.org/wildlife/habitat/ Built over millions of years, coral reefs are home to more esa/international03.asp than 25 percent of marine species, making them the most biologically diverse of marine ecosystems. Coral reefs harbor fish and other marine resources important for coastal communities.

Source: http://cms.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/species/index.cfm?uNewsID=1279

12 Habitatconversion: • infrastructure development,soilerodesfasterandrivers forests havebeenclearedfortimberandagriculture,or are nowbecomingalltooapparent:forexample,where human activity.Thecostsofdecadeshabitatconversion land surfacehasalreadybeentransformedordegradedby damage toseafloorsfromtrawling,abouthalfoftheEarth’s or waterwithdrawalfromrivers,lossofcoralreefs,and inappropriate occupation,physicalmodificationofrivers earlier eachyear(seeBox3). finding itmoredifficulttofeedasthesea-icebreaksup and thewholeworld,whileinArctic,polarbearsare are damagingandevenkillingcoralsaroundtheCaribbean in Africaandfrequentstormsrisingoceantemperatures for example,morefrequentdroughtsarethreateningwildlife species arealreadyaffectedbywarmerglobaltemperatures: temperatures risebymorethan1.5-2degreesCelsius.Many assessed wouldbeatriskofextinctionifaverageglobal must rapidlyrespond toclimatechangeif itistogrow The conferencerecognised thatthetourismsector Change andTourismorganised byUNWTOin2007. to theSecondInternational Conference onClimate main gasesthatdrivesglobal warming,according of globalemissionscarbondioxide,onethe Tourism isestimatedtocontributesome5percent according totheWorldBank). of thecoralsinregionhavealreadybeenaffected changes inoceantemperatureandrelatedfactors(80% coral reefscoulddisappearentirelyby2060dueto highly vulnerabletoclimatechange,andCaribbean and shrinkinglivingspacesaremakingelephants mountains. InAfrica,pressuresfromlongerdryperiods tourism, includingecosystemssuchascoralreefsand impacts onbiodiversityresourcesthatareimportantfor and globalwarming.Climatechangealsohasmajor sector ishighlysensitivetotheeffectsofclimatechange Climate isakeyresourcefortourism,andthetourism Box 3:Climatechange,biodiversityandtourism in asustainable manner,byreducingemissions of Throughland-usechangesand 13 Invasivespecies: • Overexploitation: • application oftheEarth Simulator”http://siteresources.worldbank.org) The WorldBank(2007)“VisualizingFutureClimate inLatinAmerica,Resultsfromthe http://www.unwto.org/climate/current/en/pdf/CC_Broch_DavBal_memb_bg.pdf Second InternationalConferenceonClimateChange andTourismorganisedbyUNWTO Davos DeclarationonClimateChangeandTourism: RespondingtoGlobalChallenges(2007) doc/bioday/2007/ibd-2007-booklet-01-en.pdf Convention onBiologicalDiversity(2007)“Biodiversity andClimateChange”www.cbd.int/ Sources: practices intheirday-to-dayoperations. energy efficiencyandincorporatingbiodiversity-friendly change mitigationbyreducingtheirenergyuse,increasing Hotels canmakesignificantcontributionstoclimate environmental resourcebasefortourism. to ensuretheirlong-termsustainableuseasan strengthen theirresiliencetoclimatechangeand to conservebiodiversityandnaturalecosystems respond toclimatechange.Italsoincludesstriving financial resourcestohelppoorregionsandcountries way toreducegreenhousegasemissions,andsecuring includes improvingenergyefficiency,whichisamajor to changingclimateconditions.Partofthisresponse and adaptingtourismbusinessesdestinations the greenhousegasesthatcauseglobalwarming expanded tothesouthofUnitedStates(Florida)and biological controlforinvasivecacti( America andintroducedintotheCaribbeanoriginallyasa the cactusmoth( One exampleofapotentiallydisastrousinvasivespeciesis for keyresourcessuchasfood,waterornestingsites. indigenous speciesthroughpredationorbyout-competing major damagetoecosystemfunctionsandpopulationsof species forgardening)intoanecosystemcancause accidentally ordeliberately(forexamplebyusingexotic adversely impactsmanyplantandanimalspecies. flood morefrequently.Thelossofcriticalhabitatsalso other biological resources faster than they can be replenished other biologicalresourcesfasterthantheycanbereplenished both inthewildandforcrops. with predictablycatastrophicconsequencesfornativecacti, Mexico (whereithasbeenintroducedbutnotestablished) The use of species, nutrients, water and Theuseofspecies,nutrients,waterand Cactoblastis cactorum Non-nativespeciesintroduced Opuntia ): nativetoSouth spp.).Itsrange

Part I: Biodiversity and Hotels © Michel ROGGO / WWF-Canon

Box 4: Milestones in international action to protect the environment and biodiversity

1972: “The Limits to Growth,” published by the Club of Rome, predicts that the Earth’s limits will be reached in 100 years at current rates of population growth, resource depletion and pollution generation. The United Nations establishes the UN Environment Programme.

1973: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (commonly known as CITES) is agreed in Washington, DC, USA. The treaty prevents or restricts trade in animal and plant species threatened with extinction.

1979: The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (also known as the CMS or the Bonn Convention) is agreed in Bonn, Germany.

1987: The World Commission on Environment and Development highlights the need for ‘sustainable development’ to protect the environment and combat poverty and global inequalities.

1992: The Convention on Biological Diversity (generally known as the Biodiversity Convention), and the Framework Convention on Climate Change are adopted at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (the ‘Earth Summit’) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, along with Agenda 21- a detailed plan for worldwide implementation of sustainable development.

1997: The Kyoto Protocol, which commits industrial countries to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide, is agreed in Japan.

2002: The 2010 Biodiversity Target – to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction in the current rate of loss of biological diversity – is adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa.

2005: The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment concludes that natural resources are being degraded on a massive scale, damaging the ecological processes that support life on Earth.

14 biodiversity loss needtobeaddressedbysociety asawhole, Despite thisrangeofthreats, there aresolutions.Thecausesof And whatcanwedotoconserve it? Pollution: • others continue to be threatened by illegal hunting today. others continuetobethreatenedbyillegalhuntingtoday. species declinesorextinctionsinthelastcentury,whilemany On land,huntinghascontributedtoaspecificnumberof damaged stocksoffishinmosttheworld’smajorfisheries. natural wetlandsandgroundwaterlevels.Over-fishinghas tourism resortsandforintensiveagricultureisthreatening availability. Theoveruseofwaterresourcesincitiesand cause seriousdeclinesinspeciespopulationsandresource by naturalcyclesofreproductionorreplenishmentcan with often fatal consequences. with oftenfatalconsequences. species mayeatthembymistake orbecometangledinthem, other wastesarefoundinmostoftheworld’soceans,where gases thatcontributetoglobalwarming.Plasticdebrisand Many ofourlandfillsoozepollutedwastewaterandproduce affect thehealthanddevelopmentoffishamphibians. types ofpollutantscanmimicanimalhormonesandseriously coastal watersandadverselyimpactingfaunaflora.Other die anddecay,leavingbehinddeadzonesinrivers,lakes of eventswhichbeginswithrapidgrowthalgaethatthen concentrations inwater,triggeringalgalblooms,asequence Pollution fromfertilisersandsewagecanresultinhighnutrient individual speciesandoverallecosystemfunctioning. wastewater andsolidwastescanallcausedamageto Chemicals, fertilisers and pesticides, air pollutants, Chemicals,fertilisersandpesticides,airpollutants, 15 about biodiversityandconservation. at thesametimehelpingtoincrease peoples’understanding income frombiodiversitywithout theneedtoharvestit,while uses, whenwell-managed,can beavaluablewaytogenerate walk throughtheforest.However,suchnon-consumptive leaving litter,orevenjusttheeffectsoftramplingaspeople have anegativeimpact,forexamplebydisturbingwildlife, they arrived–butpoorlymanagedhumanactivitiescanstill the sameafteragroupoftouristshasvisitedasitwasbefore necessarily beingusedup–thenumberoftreesinaforest is is usedforrecreation,tourismorculturalpurposes,itnot consumptive usesofthenaturalworld.Whenbiodiversity are sustainable,itisalsoimportanttocarefullymanagenon- In additiontoensuringthatconsumptiveusesofbiodiversity rainfall, whichreplenishesfreshwaterstocks. be replacedbyreproductionandnaturalprocesses,suchas for thefuturewillrequirenotusingthemupfasterthantheycan their needs.Inpractice,maintainingstocksofnaturalresources resources thatwillbeavailableforfuturegenerationstomeet threatening thehealthofenvironmentorstocks Sustainable usemeansmeetinghumanneedswhilenot ecosystem serviceswithinsustainablelimits. (see Box4).Thekeyistokeepourusesofbiodiversityand biodiversity inthelastdecades,thereisstillmuchtodo While muchhasbeendonetoprotecttheenvironmentand and weeachhaveaparttoplayinmeetingthischallenge.

Part I: Biodiversity and Hotels © Adrián REUTER

About the Caribbean

The Caribbean is a region of remarkable beauty that contains of the Atlantic Ocean located east of Central America and north some of the richest terrestrial and marine environments on of South America. It is one of the largest seas in the world Earth. It is home of six of the seven sea turtle species and 14 with an area of about 2,763,800 km² (1.063 million square percent of the coral reefs worldwide. More than one-third of miles) and includes more than 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and the plants and land animals in the Caribbean islands are found cays. It is also home of the second largest barrier reef in the nowhere else in the world. world and the most important in the Western Hemisphere, the The Caribbean region comprises the Caribbean Sea and its Mesoamerican Reef. The Reef covers an area of about 460,000 2 islands, and surrounding coasts. The Caribbean Sea is the area km and stretches along the Caribbean coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras where it is home to no fewer than 65 different kinds of stony coral.

Box 5: The Caribbean is home to a wide variety of The Caribbean region is regarded as one of the world’s species biodiversity “hotspots” (www.biodiversityhotspots.org). The flora and fauna of the region are highly diverse, and many of The Caribbean is home to many species including: the species are endemic (exclusively found in) to the region. more than 500 types of fish, some, like the grouper It is estimated the Caribbean is home to around 13,000 plant and snapper, feature on restaurant menus; around species, of which about 50% are endemic and, similarly, more 600 bird species, of which about 25% are endemic than 40% of its fauna is found only in this part of the world. (exclusively found in this part of the world), like the Animals and plants found only on islands are especially at risk “Hispaniolan Amazon”; about 500 kinds of reptiles, from the introduction of species from elsewhere. The alien 94% of which are endemic to the region; around 170 invasives may outcompete the native animals and plants for species of endemic amphibians; and 90 species of food or habitat, and may introduce foreign diseases. mammals, including dolphins, manatee, and several As would be expected in a region dominated by its marine bat species and the migratory humpback whale. environment, a huge variety of seafood is an essential element of Caribbean cuisine, including crab, lobster, queen conch

16 Caribbean islands. also makesamajor contributiontotheeconomies ofseveral Tourism basedonscubadiving andsnorkellingoncoralreefs over 1millioncruisevisitsin1970 toover20millionin2010. previous fourdecadeswhich saw numbersrisingfromjust continuing thephenomenalgrowth experiencedoverthe In 2010,theregion’scruisepassenger numbersgrewby6%, which isasignificantcomponentoftheregion’stourismmix. in numberswasmainlyattributabletothecruiseshipindustry, on the22.1millionwhovisitedpreviousyear).Theincrease million touristsvisitedtheregionin2010(almosta5%increase Caribbean TourismOrganizationestimatedthatmorethan 23 The Caribbeanregionsupportsalargetouristindustry. treated beforebeingreleasedintothesea. from Central American and Caribbean Island nations is properly Organization estimatedthatonlyabout10%ofthesewage amount ofpollution;in1993,ThePanAmericanHealth Human activityintheareaisresponsibleforasignificant producing regionsintheworldandalsohostsmajorfisheries. and dependencies.TheCaribbeanSeaisoneofthelargestoil territories includingsovereignstates,overseasdepartments Politically, theCaribbeanislandsareorganizedinto27 grouper, grunt,jack,parrotfishandsnapper. and othershellfish,aswellvariousfish,suchbarracuda, 17 devastating impactonnative wildlife. other Caribbeanislandswhereithashadasimilar antillurum ( ( ( species: alizard( known orprobableextinctionoffiveendemic and havebeenatleastpartlyresponsibleforthe the mongoosesalsopreyeduponnativeanimals numbers inJamaica’ssugarcanefields.However, was intentionallyintroducedin1872tocontrolrat auropunctatus The SmallIndianMongoose( native wildlife Box 6:AlieninvasivespeciesaffecttheCaribbean Pterodroma caribbaea Siphonorhis americanus Alsophis ater ). Themongoosewasintroducedto ), twobirds:JamaicanPauraque ) isanalieninvasivespeciesthat Celestrus occiduus ), andarodent( ) andJamaicaPetrel Herpestes ), asnake Oryzomys

Part I: Biodiversity and Hotels Figure 1: Impacts on biodiversity throughout the life cycle of a hotel

2 1

The hotel life cycle

4 3 © Graham Pankhurst

18 Towards a“green”hotel 3. 2. 1. Figure 1:Thehotellifecycle(seeillustrationopposite) planning throughtoclosure: A hotelimpactsbiodiversityateachstageofitslifecycle,from its source.Thesameistrueforahotel. distance away,andwastemaybedisposedmilesawayfrom other continents,waterpipedfromriversandreservoirssome well bescatteredaroundtheglobe:foodmayimportedfrom level ofthisimpactwilldependonpersonalchoicesandmay Each individualhasadifferentimpactontheenvironment.The How dohotelsimpactonbiodiversity?

to reduceitsadverse impactsonbiodiversity. Similarly,a gardens withnatural-style plantingscanall help ahotel making sustainablepurchasing decisionsandmanaging reducing, treatinganddisposing ofwasteappropriately, efficiently, usingorganicand sustainably producedfood, increased wastegeneration.Using energyandwatermore facilities cancauseimpactsthrough purchasingchoicesand renovation andreplacementoffurniture,appliances and bythedirectimpactsofitsguests.Inaddition,regular wastes itproduces,bythewayitsgroundsaremanaged, consumed inrunningthehotel,bysolidandliquid from theenergy,water,foodandotherresourcesthatare In theoperationalstage, of naturalwaterflowsanddrainagepatterns. compaction causedbyconstructionactivitiesordisruption and othertypesofdamagesuchassurfacesoilerosionor amount ofconstructionwastethathastobedisposedof, inadequate storagefacilitiesforconstructionmaterials,the the locationoftemporarycampsforconstructionworkers, type ofmaterials,waterandenergyusedtobuildthehotel, of constructionmethods,thesourcesandamount where constructionactivitiesaretakingplace,thechoice size andlocationoftheareaclearedfordevelopment At theconstructionstage, impacts willbeintheoperationalstage. footprint ofthehotelwillalsoinfluencehowsignificantits where thosematerialswillcomefromandthetotalphysical about thematerialsthatwillbeusedtoconstructhotel, built inabiodiversity-sensitivearea(seeBox7).Choices sustainably operatedhotelwillhavemajorimpactsifitis to choicesaboutitssitinganddesign.Eventhemost determining thelevelofimpactthatahotelwillhaverelates At theplanningstage, themostimportantissuein ahotel’simpactcomesmainly impactisdeterminedbythe 19 4.

convert itforotheruses,ordemolishit,andfromthework disposal ofmaterialsremovedfromthehoteltorefurbishit, At theclosurestage, environmental resourcesbycommunitiesthemselves. the sustainableoperationsofhotelbutalsouse hotel’s relationshipwithhostcommunitiesnotonlyaffects operations. However,beforeoperationalactions to biodiversityconservationintheirday-to-day This guidefocusesonhowhotelscancontribute stages ofnewhotels Box 7:Guidanceforsiting,designandconstruction Sustainable_Travel.htm Society__Uniting_Conservation_Communities_and_ b.4832143/k.CF7C/The_International_Ecotourism_ http://www.ecotourism.org/site/c.orLQKXPCLmF/ World TourismOrganisation The InternationalEcotourismSocietywiththeUN International EcolodgeGuidelines pages07/SDCGuidelines.html International. http://www.tourismpartnership.org/ Forum’s TourismPartnershipandConservation published bytheInternationalBusinessLeaders Sustainable HotelSiting,DesignandConstruction be foundinthefollowingsources: protect biodiversity.Guidanceontheseissuescan the environment,avoidwastageofresourcesand principles, tobenefitlocalcommunities,preserve ensure thatitisdesignedaccordingtosustainable If youareplanningtoconstructanewhotel, species andhabitats. vital toprotectbiodiversityandavoiddamage constructed, andhowconstructionismanagedare design ofthehotel,materialsfromwhichitis impacts. Responsiblechoicesonthesiteand will influencethepotentialforadverseenvironmental decisions relatedtositing,designandconstruction and decisionsareevenanissue,criticalplanning ahotel’simpactscomefromthe , publishedby

Part I: Biodiversity and Hotels involved in these activities. It may be possible to reuse from timber to fisheries, are being damaged and depleted and recycle some materials, but there may also be some by overuse. Poorly managed tourism and recreation can toxic materials, particularly from older buildings, which will damage wildlife through disturbance of animals and plants, or require careful handling and management. A responsible the collection of species for souvenirs and ornaments for the hotel operator should also foresee supporting activities of wildlife trade. On the other hand, sustainable commercial uses ecological restoration as required. – such as sustainable tourism – can be good for biodiversity Responsible siting and design, the effective management of as they encourage the protection of ecosystems for income energy and water consumption, and the proper disposal of that they generate, provided they do not overexploit natural wastewater and solid waste are important challenges for any resources by using them in excess of their capacity to hotel hoping to improve the sustainability of its operations. regenerate. Furthermore, responsible biodiversity practices can These topics are covered in detail in a number of other valuable also bring benefits to hotels (see Box 8). publications and resources. See the introduction to Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends This guide focuses on managing the biodiversity impacts of for more information about the potential impacts of a hotel during the operational stage, specifically related to overexploitation of biological resources. the use of biological resources. Many biological resources,

Box 8: What are the business benefits of responsible • Improving employee productivity and sense of biodiversity practices for hotels? responsibility to the environment: Employees are often strongly motivated by actions to enhance Implementing good environmental practices in hotel biodiversity; such motivation helps to increase operations, including using biological resources more employee productivity and loyalty, and can reduce sustainably, can result in positive business benefits as staff turnover. well as make an important contribution to biodiversity conservation. Key business benefits include: • Securing a hotel’s ‘license to operate’: Implementing good practices for biodiversity • Appealing to engaged consumers: Tourists demonstrates that a hotel cares about the are increasingly motivated by sustainability and environment and runs a responsible business, and contributions to biodiversity conservation, as well as can lead to increased support from government, healthier environments and products. staff and local communities. • Reducing costs: Good biodiversity practices • Attracting investment from socially responsible can actually lower a hotel’s operating costs, by investors: Investors want to be sure that their reducing expenses for resource procurement, funds are invested in businesses that have good usage and disposal. environmental records.

• Improving the quality of the destination: Sources: Earthwatch Institute (Europe), International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Destinations rich in biodiversity are attractive places, Resources, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (2002), Business & appeal to quality customers, and offer scope for Biodiversity - The Handbook for Corporate Action, ISBN 2-940240-28-0 Sustainability (2004), The Business Case for Sustainability biodiversity-based recreational activities. Tour Operators’ Initiative for Sustainable Tourism Development (2004), Supply Chain Engagement for Tour Operators – Three Steps Toward Sustainability

20 21

In the destination: Promoting responsible recreation activities and excursions and supporting local biodiversity conservation efforts.

Hotel grounds and gardens: Using indigenous plants for landscaping and minimizing light and noise.

Hotel restaurants: Seeking sustainable sources of food supplies, especially of fish and seafood, agricultural products and wild game.

Hotel souvenir shops: Guest rooms and public areas: Avoiding souvenirs produced Making responsible choices in terms of wood used for expansion from threatened or protected or renovation projects and furniture; medicinal and aromatic plant and animal species. plants for amenities and spa products; and ornamental plants and animals for public areas. © Graham Pankhurst

22 Guestroomsandpublic areas: • Hotelrestaurants: • different areasofyourhotel,including: recommendations aboutspecificactionsyoucantakeinthe opposite page).Inthissectionoftheguide,youwillfind from restaurantstoguestroomsgardens(seeFigure2, Biodiversity resourcesareusedineveryareaofahotel, in thehotel Part II:Takingaction public areas. and spaproducts;ornamentalplantsanimalsfor and furniture;medicinalaromaticplantsforamenities in termsofwoodusedforexpansionorrenovationprojects products andwildgame. supplies, especiallyoffishandseafood,agricultural Seekingsustainablesourcesoffood Makingresponsiblechoices 23 Inthedestination: • Hotelgroundsandgardens: • Hotelsouvenirshops: • conservation efforts. activities andexcursionssupportinglocalbiodiversity landscaping andminimizinglightnoise. threatened orprotectedplantandanimalspecies. Promotingresponsiblerecreation

Avoidingsouvenirsproducedfrom Usingindigenousplantsfor

Part II: Taking action in the hotel © Philippe Wang

Principles for taking biodiversity action in a hotel

Although specific biodiversity conservation practices will vary - Make it simple for staff, clients, suppliers and depending on the particular resource concerned or area of the stakeholders to do what is asked of them; hotel, there are some key principles that apply to all areas: - Provide staff with any necessary training, and ask them • Work internally to introduce management practices and for their ideas and suggestions for biodiversity actions procedures that contribute to biodiversity conservation. that the hotel could support; In particular: - Create incentives for staff to support biodiversity - Appoint a senior manager and/or “green team” to take conservation, e.g. through a ‘Green Employee of the responsibility for your biodiversity actions; Month’ award;

- Set clear and realistic targets, monitor and report on - Take time to explain the hotel’s actions and motivations progress towards reaching those targets; behind those actions to staff, guests, suppliers and

24 • •

------certification schemesthatincludebiodiversitycriteria: sources sustainably harvestedand/orproduced Work withotherkeyplayers Ensure that,whereverpossible, the hotelistaking tocontributeconservation. See to protectand enjoy thatbiodiversityandwhat actions characteristics ofthelocalbiodiversity, whattheycando and actionsoftheirclientsby informingthemaboutthe these policiesintopractice. suppliers todeterminehowyou canworktogethertoput can discussyourpoliciesandactionsonbiodiversitywith sustainability oftheresourcespurchasedfromthem.You Work withsuppliersandotherpartnerstoimprovethe criteria intotheirselectionandcontractdetails. areas, andintegrateenvironmentalbiodiversity can supporttheirsupplierstoimproveinkeyperformance the goodsandservicesthatyouobtainfromthem.Hotels with yourstandards,andbyspecifyingrequirementsfor produced food. may alsobeillegal;and to biodiversity,someofwhich,suchasdynamitefishing, methods thatareunregulatedorparticularlydamaging national orinternationalregulations(seeBox9); those forwhichconsumptionandtradeisbannedunder CITES Appendices,http://www.cites.org),inparticular, Threatened Species,http://www.iucnredlist.org,oronthe species orpopulations(eitherontheIUCNRedListof Management System;and this guideintoyourhotel’sexistingEnvironmental conserving biodiversity; their awarenessaboutthevalueandimportanceof stakeholders, inordertobuildtheirsupportandraise Clients: Hotelscanstronglyinfluence thebehaviour Suppliers: Choosesuppliersbasedontheircompliance Encourage certificationschemesforsustainably Don’t useresourcesthatareproducedorharvestedby Don’t useanyitemsthatareobtainedfromthreatened Monitor andevaluateprogressinallareas. Integrate theprinciplesandrecommendationsin and, ifrelevant,arecertifiedandlabelledunder , including: products comefrom 25 - the activitiesofthesestakeholdersareoutside contribute totheprotectionofbiodiversity.Although conservation andwhateachstakeholdercandoto contributions ofthehotel,importancebiodiversity protected areas,byraisingawarenessaboutthe organisations, localcommunitiesandmanagersof other businesses,publicauthorities,conservation influence stakeholdersinthedestination,including a hotel’sinternalandexternalstakeholders. Appendix 1formoreinformationoncommunicatingwith with partnersinthedestination. sector. SeeAppendix2formoreinformationonworking to leverageleadershipforconservationwithinthetravel impact ofyourhotel’sbiodiversityactionsandenableyou with conservationorganisationscanstrengthenthe biodiversity actions.Inaddition,establishingpartnerships provide expertisetohelpyourhotelimplementpositive impact onthehotel’sbusiness.Localorganisationscan attractions, protectedareas,etc.,canhaveasignificant decisions, forexampleaboutlocalinfrastructure, hotel’s directcontrol,localdevelopmentandplanning Public authoritiesandlocalorganisations:Hotelscan

Part II: Taking action in the hotel Box 9: Threatened species BirdLife International, the Zoological Society of London, Conservation International and Nature Serve. The IUCN Red List While the IUCN Red List is a global assessment, a The IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM, which number of countries have also developed their own is the world’s most comprehensive and scientifically- national and regional red lists for plants and animals. based inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species, evaluates the extinction risk Source: IUCN, 2001. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. IUCN Species Survival of thousands of species and subspecies in all regions of Commission. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. ii + 30 pp the world. The Red List includes three main categories http://www.iucnredlist.org/ of threatened species: CITES • Critically Endangered Species are those that face CITES is the common name for the Convention on an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild future, because the population has declined by 80 Fauna and Flora, established in 1973, which regulates percent or more over the last 10 years, is confined international trade in threatened species and products to a very small area of habitat, or has fewer than 250 derived from them. Trade in wildlife and wildlife mature individuals. The The Cayman Island’s Blue products can put severe pressure on some Iguana and hawksbill sea turtle are two examples. populations of animals and plants, and, linked with • Endangered Species are those facing a very high other factors such as habitat loss, can bring some risk of extinction in the near future, because the species close to extinction. population has declined by 50 percent or more over CITES currently provides protection to more than the last 10 years, is confined to an area of less than 30,000 species of animals and plants, whether they 5,000 square kilometres of fragmented habitat, or are traded as live specimens or used to make other has fewer than 2,500 mature individuals. Examples products. The treaty includes three levels of protection, include the loggerhead sea turtle, Imperial Amazon which are listed in three appendices to the treaty: parrot and Bermuda Palm tree. • Vulnerable Species are those that face a high risk of • Appendix I lists species threatened with extinction. extinction in the medium-term, because the population Trade in specimens of these species is permitted has declined by 30 percent or more over the last only in exceptional circumstances. 10 years, is confined to an area of less than 20,000 • Appendix II includes species not necessarily square kilometres of fragmented habitat, or has less threatened with extinction, but in which trade must than 10,000 mature individuals. Vulnerable species be controlled in order to avoid utilisation incompatible include the American crocodile, rhinoceros iguana, with their survival. rainbow parrotfish, seahorses, giant clam, great white • Appendix III includes species that are protected in shark, whale shark, and the Caribbean manatee. at least one country, which has asked other countries Many parrots like the Hispaniolan Amazon, are for assistance in controlling the trade. vulnerable, as are several orchids, cycads and trees, Each country adopts its own domestic legislation to including the big-leaf mahogany. ensure that CITES is implemented at the national level. Since its establishment in 1963, the number of There is some variation of the requirements from one species covered by the Red List is increasing all the country to another, and it is always necessary to check time: by 1988, it covered all bird species, and by national laws, which may have stricter requirements 1996 all mammals were included. By 2007, 41,415 than those of the convention. species worldwide had been assessed. The Red List Source: is compiled by IUCN’s Species Programme using Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, What is CITES?, http://www.cites.org/eng/disc/what.shtml ; http://www.cites.org/eng/app/ data from the Species Survival Commission and other appendices.shtml partners. It produces the Red List in cooperation with

26 in identifyingthe actions,explaining BirdLife International,whichhelped bird protectionassociation(LPO) and in closepartnershipwiththeFrench relating tobiodiversitywasproduced expert ofwhatisatstake.The section introduced withanexplanationby Each themeinthecharteris for implementingtheactions. a detailedguideofferingsuggestions the ozonelayer,andbiodiversity,with eight themes,includingwater,energy, consists of65initiativesbasedon destination countries.Thenewcharter a networkofrepresentativesin liaison withhotelmanagersand Development Department,inclose revised byAccor’sSustainable In 2005,theCharterwascompletely partnership withanassociation. protection ofthelocalenvironmentin energy use,wastemanagementand actions concerningwaterand hoteliers andincluded15tangible This originalcharterwasaimedat Environment Charterwithinitshotels. In 1998,AccorintroducedtheHotel Protection ofbiodiversity:anintegratedapproach supporting biodiversityconservation, reflecting theirwishestogofurtherin consultation withhotelmanagersand This newcharter,drawnupin certified forests. foods andpapersourcedfromFSC- such astheuseofcertifiedorganic aimed atprotectingnaturalresources, are alsoactionsintheothersections promotion oflocalinitiatives.There plants, theplantingoftreesand on greenareas,totheuseoflocal – theuseofpesticidesandfertilizers range fromreducing–oreliminating The actionsrelatingtobiodiversity Programme experts. by UnitedNationsEnvironment The othersectionsareintroduced consequences forhumansociety. on theextinctionofspeciesand them andprovidingtheintroduction © Accor 27 divisions andtheBrandsdefine products. Eachyear,theregional 600 useorganicallyproduced use ofinsecticides,andmorethan more than800havereducedtheir select plantssuitedtothelocality, encouraging: morethan1,000hotels of theprotectionbiodiversityare The resultsachievedsofarinterms it hastaken. Group reportingtoolontheactions hotels. Eachhotelreportsinthe 84 percentofthe3,900Accor hotels. In2007,itwasdeployedin has beenverywellreceivedbythe www.accor.com Accor Director, SustainableDevelopment Patricia Cortijo improvement targets.

Part II: Taking action in the hotel © Joël Biletta

Taking action in hotel restaurants

WHAT ARE THE LOCAL AND For example, tuna fishing using purse-seine nets risks catching GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY ISSUES? certain dolphin species that are usually present among shoals Much of our food comes from plants and animals that have of yellow-fin tuna. The use of driftnets, which are the most been domesticated for agriculture, and some of it comes from destructive type of fishing nets, is forbidden in many parts of the harvesting of wild stocks through fishing or hunting. The ways world today. Over 75 percent of the world’s major fisheries are in which food is harvested, cultivated and produced can have so heavily exploited that reproduction cycles cannot guarantee major impacts on biodiversity. Areas of intensive agriculture the sustainability of continued catches, while deep seabed support significantly less habitat and biodiversity than the habitats are now vulnerable to destruction by bottom trawlers, ecosystems they replace, while for foods collected from the which catch a significant amount of non-targeted species, or by- wild, overharvesting threatens wild populations and the natural catch, which are then thrown away. Without healthy habitats, habitats where they are found. The major biodiversity issues for fish populations and other marine biodiversity will decline hotel restaurants are linked to the production and harvesting of further. Many fisheries in freshwater and inshore areas are also fish and other types of seafood, the hunting of wild game, and at risk from overfishing and destructive fishing methods. the farming of fruit and vegetables, meat and fish. Unsustainable fishing practices can also have an unintended effect on non-marine species. Each year, 100,000 albatrosses Fish and other types of seafood die on fishing hooks from commercial longline fishing for tuna, The unsustainable harvesting of fish and seafood from the swordfish and other species. Of the 22 species of albatross in world’s oceans, rivers and lakes is leading to a decline of the world, 18 are threatened with extinction. global marine and freshwater biodiversity. Overfishing is See TRAFFIC Factsheets 1 to 6 in Part III for more information depleting fish stocks, while intensive and destructive fishing about fish and other types of seafood. methods are damaging marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

28 or continents.This importedfeedisgenerally alsointensively feed imported from otherfarmsandoften othercountries stocking levels, hormonestoincreasegrowth ratesandanimal combined withuseofantibiotics topreventdiseaseathigh around high-densityanimalstocking inbarnsandfeedlots, significant proportionofintensive meatproductionisbased impacts tointensivefruitand vegetableproduction.A Meat productionisoftenhighlyintensiveandhassimilar Meat production locally sourcedspeciesisalsoimportant. fertilisers greatlyreducethethreatstobiodiversity.Buying that excludeorminimizetheuseofartificialpesticidesand As analternative,organicandsustainablefarmingmethods main causesofthreatenedspecies. intensive agricultureishabitatlossforotherspecies,oneof the crops andlivestock.Oneofthelargestimpactsalltypes of declines ingeneticdiversity,andlossoftraditionalvarieties high levelsofwateruse,plantingcropsinmonocultures, inappropriate landclearing,useanderosioncontrol, bird species.Otherkeyimpactsonbiodiversityarisefrom negative impactsonbiodiversity,includingadeclineinmany and fertilisers,oftenwithassociatedrun-off,haveledto Intensive farmingmethodsthatusehighlevelsofpesticides Fruits andvegetables Farmed FoodResources ensure relevantlegislationisbeingcompliedwith. regarding thehunting,useandtradeofanywildproduceto to contacttherelevantauthoritiesclarifyregulations serving wildgameintheCaribbean,itishighlyadvisable www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/conventions/bern/). If Natural Habitats,alsoknownastheBernConvention(http:// Convention ontheConservationofEuropeanWildlifeand on HuntingandBiodiversityhasbeendevelopedunderthe management ofgamestocks.InEurope,aEuropeanCharter hunting andgamemanagementregulationsforsustainable a sustainableuseofbiodiversity.Manycountrieshave which supportconservationandlocaleconomiesrepresent sustainable huntingandgameranchingoperations,bothof meats fromsustainablesources,suchaswell-managed If youplantooffersuchfoods,itisimportantobtainwild the declineofsomebirdspecies. hunted species.Forexample,inEuropehuntingisafactor hunting ofwildgameformeatdamagespopulationsthe with localgamemeats.However,excessiveanduncontrolled many touristsarekeentosamplefoodsanddishesmade Wild gameisafeaturedspecialityitemonsomemenus,and Wild game 29 can contaminatethenaturalecosystem,andfarmedfish that areusedtokeepfarmedfishfreeofdiseaseandparasites pollute thesea,lakesorrivers.Antibioticsandotherchemicals Fish andfoodwastefromthecagesusedbyfishfarmscan biodiversity iftheactivitiesarebadlyestablishedandmanaged. Aquaculture (fishfarming)canhaveadverseeffectson Aquaculture and partofbalancedfarmingsystems. valuable useoflandthatisnotsuitableforcropproduction, production onthesamefarm.Meatcanalsobea and locallyproducedanimalfeeds–oftengrazingfeed Sustainable meatproductionuseslower-densitystocking damage iftheyarenotdisposedofcarefully. of manureandliquidwastesthatruntheriskenvironmental pulses; andhigh-densityanimalfarmingcreateslargeamounts requires muchmorelandareathanprovidingitasgrainsand produced. Furthermore,providingthesamefoodvalueasmeat • • • Internally WHAT CANIDO: conservation, managementanddevelopmentofallfisheries. and providesprinciplesstandardsapplicabletothe Fisheries”, includingaquaculture,whichisglobalinscope has developeditsown“CodeofConductforResponsible sustainable aquaculture.ItisimportanttomentionthatFAO Antilles, itwasagreedtodevelopacodeofbestpracticefor by FAOforpromotingsustainableaquacultureintheMinor Pesca yAcuaculturaSustentables).Ataworkshoporganized of SustainableFisheryandAquaculture”(i.e.,LeyGeneralde adopted aquaculturelegislationin2007called“GeneralLaw sea turtlesintheCaymanIslands.Mexicodevelopedand conch intheTurksandCaicosislandsevengreen predominant interestandoperationshaveincludedqueen In theCaribbeanaquacultureofmarinespeciesis sustainable aquaculturepracticesintheCaribbeanregion. Similarly, therehasbeenagrowinginterestinpromoting environment andbiodiversity(http://www.feap.info). sustainable aquacultureandavoidingimpactsonthe (FEAP) hasdevelopedacodeofconductforpromoting Europe, theFederationofEuropeanAquacultureProducers regularly escapeandcompetewithnativefishpopulations.In

on yourmenus. fair tradeororganiccertification schemes(seeBox10). globally depleted,exceptfrom sustainablesources. Introduce regional dishesbasedonlocallyproduced foods Choose fooditemsthathave been certifiedbysustainable, Avoid purchasingspeciesthat arelocally,regionallyor

Part II: Taking action in the hotel • Raise the awareness of your staff about biodiversity issues • Seek out suppliers who use sustainable packaging materials related to the production and harvesting of food (fish, and systems, such as natural cork (see Box 11). seafood and game), In partnership with public authorities and local organisations • Educate your staff on the need to regularly check • Assist local food producers and suppliers to produce local regulations. and store food supplies so that they meet your quality • Educate your staff in helping customers understand and requirements and demand (e.g. by supplying cool boxes with appreciate foods sourced from sustainable sources and ask ice for storing local sustainably caught fish, or by providing them for ideas on using foods from sustainable sources in suitable seeds, tools or other items necessary for cultivation). your restaurant. With my clients • Set up a kitchen garden, greenhouses and/or orchard, either • Inform customers about the issues concerning sustainable within the hotel grounds, or on another site. food production, harvesting methods that promote With my suppliers biodiversity conservation, sustainable labels and the origin of food. • Explain to your current suppliers that you want to purchase foods from sustainable sources and ask them how you can • Inform customers about the benefits of sustainable food for work together to put this goal into practice. themselves, both in terms of health and improved taste.

• Find new local suppliers by searching the internet and/or • Create a small exhibition of local products or photos of local contacting the government agriculture ministry. Explain food production and harvesting equipment. to suppliers your purchasing standards. Help them directly • Invite guests and suppliers to visit the kitchen gardens, to develop their activities or put them in contact with greenhouses and/or orchards, as a means of raising awareness specialised associations that can help them improve and enhancing the natural experience of their stays. their practices.

• Encourage and support certification schemes for sustainably produced products.

Eating ‘organic’ at Sofitel

One of the 65 key points listed in the basic organic food products, contribution to a balanced diet. Accor’s Hotel Environment Charter whilst Chapoutier was selected for They also explain the process of involves serving a meal made from two biodynamic wines, one white organic farming, differentiating it from organic ingredients. In France, Sofitel and one red. Malongo, meanwhile, intensive commercial farming, and decided to experiment with this became a partner in this operation highlighting the impacts of the two recommendation, which combines and added its organic coffee, types of farming, particularly in terms environmental conservation with the use Ethiopian Mocha, to the menu. Finally, of environmental conservation and the of high-quality ingredients. Each hotel each chef was free to contact a local local economy. offers its guests a menu promoting partner who could supply additional This operation provided an opportunity specialities based on organic labelled products, bread in particular. to show that the substantial advantages products. Other initiatives, focused on The hotel managers were then free to of organic food – environmental organic bread and biodynamic wine, set the price of their menu items as conservation, maintaining local species are also being implemented. well as their profit margin. and supporting small farmers – are Thanks to negotiations with certain Two types of leaflets describing not incompatible with the luxury suppliers specialising in the sale of the operation’s objectives were hotel business. organic products, all the group’s printed on recycled paper, one Eric Robert restaurants have been able to obtain aimed at employees and the Marketing and Quality Manager sufficient volumes without incurring other at customers. These leaflets Sofitel Luxury Hotel significant extra costs. Vivrao supplied promote organic products and their www.accor.com

30 biodiversity. Through its“Arkof taste education andtodefend local products.Itsaimsareto spread promotes thebenefitsofconsuming Slow Foodisanassociationthat operation’s manager. of disappearing,”explainedthe and productsthatareindanger we aresupportinglocalproducers promoting localproduction.Moreover, Thanks tothisoperation,weare involved inthelocalcommunity. association. “Ourhotelsareactively and theinternationalSlowFood between MercurehotelsinItaly objectives ofapartnershipformed and supportingbiodiversityarethe Educating people’stastebuds Rediscovering localfoodproductsatMercure “route” aproduct takesfromitsorigin a digitalphoto frame illustratesthe about theassociation isshownand customers. Intherestaurant, a film Slow Foodassociationareoffered to and informationbrochureson the Hotel staffmembersaretrained, included intheirchef’stastingmenu. on organicallyfarmedfood,are (the Presidia).Theseproducts,based producers tosaveanartisanfood projects toassistgroupsofartisan that aretheresultofSlowFood Italian hotelschoosesthreeproducts More specifically,eachofthe20 agricultural production. to theenvironmentandworldof with adeepsenseofresponsibility tries tocombinethepleasureoftaste biodiversity. SlowFoodtherefore which canconserveandimprove less-harmful agriculturalmodel, to developaless-intensiveand traditional know-how.Theaimis quality productswhilstrespecting agri-food producerswhomakehigh- methods. Itthussupportstraditional are producedusinglocal,traditional are indangerofdisappearingand products withexceptionaltastethat promotes therediscoveryoflocal Taste” programmeforexample,it 31 www.accor.com Mercure Italy Operations Coordinator Lucia Padovan message toitsinternationalclientele. end positioning,sendingastrong has movedupalevelinitshigh- this partnership,theMercurechain company acompetitiveedge:with with excellentfood.”Italsogivesthe seemed onlynaturaltoaccompanyit offered agreatwinemenu,soit added themanager.“Wealready commitment toourcustomers,” this collaborationispartofour high-quality food.“ForMercure, seeks tohelpcustomersdiscover produced items,theinitiativealso In additiontothefocusonlocally bearing theSlowFoodlabel. controls thequalityofallproducts Moreover, theassociationregularly publication ofaPresidiacatalogue. and communication,whichledtothe support intermsofimplementation Slow Foodprovidedagreatdealof manager wasappointedatMercure. coordinate thisproject,aSlowFood to thecustomer’splate.Inorder

Hotel Rosa dos Ventos is located The water has been analysed regularly use, including potential clearing, in a private park of 1 million m2, of since 2002 and classified as Natural contamination by agrochemical which 8,000 m2 are built property, Fluorinated Mineral Water. The various use associated with agro-industries, representing less than one percent of natural water sources are preserved and accelerated erosion. It has also its total area. More than 50 percent and monitored regularly by hotel staff, raised the awareness of guests and of the property is preserved Atlantic who have been trained to understand the local communities about the rainforest. In 1990, it became the and value such sources for what they value of environmental services first hotel member of Relais & represent for biodiversity conservation provided by natural, forested Chateaux in Brazil. and human well-being and catchments and the importance The hotel is situated near two consumption, particularly outside the and health benefits of such natural protected areas that are part of an hotel property (as such water sources fluorinated water sources. For the important ecological corridor for also are found within the region). hotel in particular, it is an added conservation of the natural resources Care is taken to preserve natural value to offer such a luxury item of the Atlantic Rainforest of Rio de rainforest vegetation and to prevent and to be able to contribute to Janeiro. The region also acts as a disturbances to water sources from the maintenance of biodiversity “bread basket” for the city and state walking, movement by surrounding and ecosystem health within the of Rio de Janeiro, with the largest domestic animals and other activities. threatened Atlantic rain forest. production of vegetables and fruits The goal is to maintain the sources in Using Hotel Rosa dos Ventos in the state, mostly originating from a pristine state and use only a portion as an example, the goal is now to small and medium family-based of the water sources on a rotational mobilise and form partnerships with agricultural businesses. Hence, the basis. Regular chemical analyses are adjacent land owners to establish rational use of a valuable resource carried out and reports produced. biological corridors contributing such as freshwater, which is used In the hotel, the natural mineral water to the expansion of preserved for many purposes and is vital to is used in showers, baths and sinks rainforest areas and biodiversity ecosystem conservation, is a key of guests´ suites and apartments, conservation, thus enhancing the issue here, with the preservation of as well as in the restaurant, saunas, integrity and effective maintenance natural water sources as an integral swimming pools and other hotel of existing protected areas of the part of water conservation measures. facilities and services. Through the Serra Fluminense. information folder in the apartments, As of 2008, Hotel Rosa dos Ventos Helenio and Ildiko Waddington guests are advised of the existence is offering a unique attraction to its Owners of naturally fluorinated water sources guests: naturally fluorinated mineral Hotel Rosa dos Ventos and the option to consume such water water from the existing natural www.hotelrosadosventos.com.br groundwater fonts within the hotel in the hotel. property. This may be considered In terms of environmental and social a luxury, as few hotels have the benefits, this action has contributed possibility to offer this special treat. to the prevention of improper land

Photos © Hotel Rosa dos Ventos

32 schemes that arecompatiblewiththeEU andU.S. countries havesimilarlystrict nationalorganiclabelling operated bytheEUand U.S.,thoughmanyother The mainschemesfororganic foodlabellingare for SettingSocialandEnvironmental Standards. and LabellingAlliance(ISEAL)CodeofGoodPractice the InternationalSocialandEnvironmentalAccreditation production. Alloftheschemesdescribedbelowmeet that promotebiodiversityprotectioninagricultural certification andlabellingschemesincorporatecriteria Organic, fairtradeandsustainableagriculture Agricultural certification For moreinformation,seewww.msc.org type, locationorintensityofthefishery. certification programmeirrespectiveofthesize,scale, developing countries,andpromotesequalaccesstoits MSC schemeiscontinuingtoexpand,includingin certified fisheriesbeartheblueMSCeco-label.The more than1,000seafoodproductsresultingfromthe lobster catchesforhumanconsumption.Worldwide, prime whitefishcatch,and18percentoftheworld’s world’s wildsalmoncatch,40percentofthe of seafood,representingmorethan42percentthe fisheries recordannualcatchesofover4milliontonnes to 30inconfidentialpre-assessment.Together,the 26 certified,64underassessmentandanother20 fisheries areengagedintheMSCprogramme,with products arewidelyavailable.Asof2008,over90 MSC-certified andlabelledfish,seafood Organisation guidelinesforfisheriescertification. Environmental StandardsandUNFoodAgriculture ISEAL CodeofGoodPracticeforSettingSocialand the onlyseafoodeco-labelthatisconsistentwith labelling programmeforwildcapturefisheries.Itis widely recognisedenvironmentalcertificationandeco- The MarineStewardshipCouncil(MSC)runstheonly Fisheries certification Box 10:Seafoodandagriculturalcertificationschemes 33 bananas, honey,oranges,cocoa,coffee,freshfruit, by FLOandFLO-compatibleschemescurrentlycovers Labelling OrganisationsInternational(FLO).Certification in limitedcircumstancesasspecifiedbytheFairtrade pesticides, althoughsomepesticidesmaybeused agriculture andtotallyexcludeuseofawiderange Fairtrade labellingstandardspromotesustainable processed foodstuffs. produce iswidelyavailableforallmainrawand that operateinmanycountries.Organic-labelled details ofthenationalorganiccertificationschemes Agriculture Movements(IFOAM)providesup-to-date systems. TheInternationalFederationofOrganic http://www.ecoagriculture.org • http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/programs/ • http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/marketplace/ • http://www.transfair.ca/ • http://www.transfairusa.org/ • http://www.maxhavelaar.ch/ • http://www.fairtrade.net/ • http://www.organicguide.com/ • http://www.ifoam.org/ • http://www.ams.usda.gov/ • • include biodiversityintheircriteria,pleasesee: For moreinformationoncertificationschemesthat receive fairtreatment. farms whererainforestisconservedandworkers macadamia nutsandfernsthatcomefromhealthy orange juice,guava,pineapple,passionfruit,plantains, which includescoffee,cocoa,chocolate,bananas, for itsprogrammeofcertifiedagriculturalproducts, These standardsareusedbytheRainforestAlliance set bytheSustainableAgricultureNetwork(SAN). Standards forsustainableagriculturecertificationare tea andwine,aswellcottonflowers. juices, nutsandoilseeds,rice,spicesherbs,sugar, agriculture/san/index.html agriculture/san/index.html http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/qual/organic/

Part II: Taking action in the hotel Community-cultivated seafood for conservation

Located off Sonhos Beach in the municipality of Palhoça, Santa Catarina state, Brazil, the 142,000 m² Papagaio Island has operated as an inn since 1994. In 1984, the family that owns the island acquired 60,000 m2 in a coastal continental area across from the island, transforming it into an area for natural recovery of the rainforest. Although Papagaio Island is located in one of the best preserved coastal zones of the State of Santa Catarina, fishing, inappropriate aquaculture, unregulated coastal development and unmanaged marine recreational activities (boating, jet ski rides, etc.) threaten local ecosystems and Photos © Renato Sehn, Director, Ilha do Papagaio biodiversity. Furthermore, the decline of traditional maritime activity and fishing has led to an exodus of local fishermen. To prevent the loss of coastal biodiversity from unsustainable fishing practices (including fishing of all species and size, and removal of mussels and shellfish from coastal rocky shores by tourists and fishermen) as well the loss of the social and cultural fabric of the region, the owner of the Papagaio Island Inn the fisheries sector to improve sustainable industry associated with a decided to promote the cultivation of sustainable management of the tourism destination has contributed to oysters (as well as mussels and other activity, and 14 different producers minimization of threats to biodiversity shellfish) using sustainable methods. have taken up sustainable oyster and and maintenance of protected areas, Through this action, the hotel aims mussel cultivation. Local fishermen while the hotel has been able to to participate in the conservation of are also involved in all the aspects of contribute to community cultural and local marine biodiversity and promote production, including manufacture economic development. economic and social development of gear, selection and classification among local fishermen who are To take the project a step further, of oysters, daily maintenance, and dependent on the marine resources specific training in sustainable making and selling souvenirs from for their livelihoods. economic alternatives is planned for the shells. Guests of the hotel can local communities and fishermen. The This project, a pioneer in Brazil, began observe oyster cultivation firsthand aim is to enhance skills and provide in 1988. Initial production was 300 from the inn and can savour the fresh consensus on business guidelines dozen oysters/month, and the project catch every day in the hotel restaurant and best practices, based on the employed two local staff members. through its delicious menu options. various successful efforts to achieve Today, the company, Moluskus Key benefits of this initiative include sustainable fisheries in the region. Marine Farm, produces oysters on the strengthening of sustainable 30 long lines in seven hectares and Renato Sehn fisheries management among employs 16 local staff. The 1 million Owner local fishers and the adoption and oysters produced each year are sold Pousada Ilha do Papagaio implementation of best practices both nationally and internationally. (Papagaio Island Inn) through partnerships established with Partnerships were established with www.papagaio.com.br the fisheries sector. The creation of a

34 Box 11: Saving the cork oak landscapes by serving Cork for bottle stoppers accounts for almost 70 percent wine with cork stoppers of the total value of the cork market. However, with increasing use of plastic and metal stoppers for wine For centuries, wine bottles have been sealed with bottles, sales of cork stoppers are declining. As the cork stoppers made from the bark of the cork oak value of cork forests declines, the forests and their tree (Quercus suber). Cork is a natural product – it is biodiversity are at higher risk of fires, degradation or renewable and biodegradable. Harvesting cork is one of being converted to other uses. the most environmentally friendly harvesting processes on Earth: no single tree is cut to harvest the cork, and You can take action in your hotel to help preserve the after harvesting, the trees produce more bark. cork forests by only purchasing wine in bottles sealed with cork stoppers. As a further step for additional Cork oak forests are found only in Portugal, Spain, Italy, assurance that cork comes from a France, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. They are ranked well-managed forest, select wines in bottles sealed with among the most valuable in terms of biodiversity in the FSC-certified cork stoppers (see Box 12 for details of world for the endemic plants and endangered species FSC certification). they support, including the Iberian lynx, the Iberian imperial eagle, and the Barbary deer. The economic Sources: assets.wwf.es/downloads/factsheet_dagon_ok.pdf value of cork oak forests means they – and their www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/europe/ biodiversity - are protected by the communities that what_we_do/mediterranean/about/forests/cork/index.cfm www.fsc.org harvest the cork.

Sustainable food

Six Senses is an international luxury to the indiscriminate catching of to identify products that are available resort and spa group, actively different fish species, destruction of locally depending on the season, involved in biodiversity conservation the seabed, and other negative put into place farming, fishing and in the sustainable development of impacts. For some species, such as and other production techniques tourism in general. catfish and oysters, there are strict that are aligned with sustainability The group has introduced strong requirements for sourcing only from principles, and, in some cases, even principles on food supplies, which sustainable fish farms. request certifications. They establish apply to all of their hotels. They In addition to considerations related long-term relationships with local purchase locally produced fruit and to the conservation of biodiversity fishermen, guaranteeing that they vegetables, meat, fish and seafood, and the environment, other principles will buy their catches if they meet the and also try to ensure that the are also applied to this list of group’s criteria. Part II: Taking action in the hotel techniques used to produce these banned foods. Some food items are Six Senses ensures all managers items are environmentally friendly. placed on the list because they are and staff are trained and well- The group has drawn up a list of foods not considered to be healthy (milk informed on the issue. Thus, staff that are prohibited or are subject chocolate or white bread, products members develop an awareness to strict consumption conditions. containing too many additives, etc.), and a global understanding of Certain fish, whose stocks are now or because they come from parts of the sustainability issues in food dramatically low due to overfishing, the world where the political situation production and supply and are able are banned. Many are only permitted contravenes human rights, or where to ensure sustainable sourcing. labour rights are not respected. if there is a certificate guaranteeing Juergen E. Seidel responsible fishing conditions, as A list was drawn up for the whole Group Director of Property in the case of tuna and shark. For group, but each hotel is encouraged Maintenance, Engineering & example, line-caught fish are strongly to complete it in accordance with Innovation recommended, because mass fishing local requirements, the species Six Senses Resorts & Spas techniques (nets, bottom trawling, available locally and the supply www.sixsenses.com etc.) have a particularly destructive conditions. Each hotel then works in impact on marine biodiversity, leading collaboration with local communities

35 Taking action in guest rooms and public areas

Wood

WHAT ARE THE LOCAL AND GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY ISSUES? Unsustainable use of wood for construction, furniture and other uses threatens rich and diverse forests around the world. Clear-cut logging of old growth forests destroys forest ecosystems, while intensive forestry plantations can damage the environment through habitat conversion or the use of pesticides and chemicals. For example, unsustainable logging threatens mahogany and other forest ecosystems in Latin America, causing most species of mahogany to be listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List. In Indonesia, illegal logging has destroyed more than half of the country’s forests, and is driving species like the Sumatran rhino, tiger and orang-utan towards extinction. Forest ecosystems are home to more than half of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, protect water catchments, control water flows to prevent flooding, stabilize soils to prevent erosion and moderate climate change by storing carbon that would otherwise be released to the atmosphere. Degrading forests destroys the vital products and services that these ecosystems provide, including fuel, traditional medicines and food for human communities. See TRAFFIC Factsheet 7 in Part III for more information on woods for furniture and construction.

WHAT CAN I DO: Internally • Identify the wood products purchased by your hotel that may negatively impact high-biodiversity forests, and substitute alternative wood products from sustainable sources when making future purchases.

• Explain to your staff the need to obtain wood from sustainably managed sources and the need to regularly check local forestry regulations, and ensure that purchased timber and forest-derived products have been harvested in compliance with those regulations.

• Re-use wood whenever possible. © Fabrice Rambert • Provide staff with information about the sustainable wood used in your hotel, and about activities your hotel takes to support tree planting and sustainable forestry.

36 • • With mysuppliers

that areofunknownorigin,orfromareaswhichover- species thatarelocally,regionallyorgloballydepleted, Stewardship Councilorotherforest-relatedcertification and woodproductsthathavebeencertifiedbytheForest from regulatedandsustainablesources,forexamplewood Explain toyoursuppliersthatyouwantpurchasewood harvested, and/orthathavebeenharvestedillegally. Avoid purchasingtimberandforest-derivedproductsfrom SFI Standard. Thereare37separatestate, regional of whichareindependently third-party-certified tothe 219 participantsacross137 millionacres,127 certify forestproducts.Today, theprogrammeincludes organisation developedthe SFIlabellingprogrammeto independent organisationin 1997.In2002,the the SustainableForestryInitiative(SFI)becamean the forestproductsindustryinUnitedStates, and PaperAssociationasacodeofconductfor Originally establishedin1994bytheAmericanForest Sustainable ForestryInitiative For moreinformation,see:www.fsc.org FSC-certified forests,includingindevelopingcountries. FSC schemeiscontinuingtoexpandthetotalareaof certified woodandcarryingtheFSCtrademark.The several thousandproductsareproducedusingFSC- been certifiedtodateaccordingFSCstandards,and Over 94millionhectaresinmorethan75countrieshave its networkofnationalinitiativesin45countries. responsible forestmanagement.FSCoperatesthrough world torecogniseproductsthatsupportthegrowthof products. TheFSClabelallowspurchasersaroundthe then usetheFSClogoontheirwoodandrelatedforest that meetthesestandardscanrequestcertificationand respected PrinciplesofForestStewardship.Forests through itsworldwidestandardofrecognisedand economically viablemanagementoftheworld’sforests environmentally responsible,sociallybeneficialand The ForestStewardshipCouncil(FSC)promotes Forest StewardshipCouncil Box 12:Forest-relatedcertificationsystems 37 For moreinformation,see:www.sfiprogram.org 100,000 loggersandforesterssince1995. North America,andtheorganisationhastrainednearly and provincialSFIImplementationCommitteesin through a third-party, independentauditof the sustainable improvement. Tobecertified,anorganisationmustgo The systemalsofocusesontheprincipleofcontinued performance andsystemstoachievethedesiredresult. standard coversthreeareas:publicparticipation, Forest Managementwasfirstpublishedin1996.The (CSA), Canada’sNationalStandardonSustainable Developed bytheCanadianStandardsAssociation Forest Management Canadian NationalStandardonSustainable For moreinformation, see:www.pefc.org more than200millionhectares ofcertifiedforests. assessors. These25schemes togetheraccountfor process involvingpublicconsultation andindependent of which25havebeenthrough arigorousassessment national forestcertificationsystemsinitsmembership, certification schemes.PEFCcurrentlyhas35independent assessment andmutualrecognitionofnationalforest non-profit, non-governmentalorganisationforthe of ForestCertificationschemes(PEFC)isanindependent, Founded in1999,theProgrammeforEndorsement Certification schemes Programme fortheEndorsementofForest org/english/ For moreinformation,see:www.certificationcanada. forestry managementrequirementsintheStandard. • In partnershipwithpublicauthoritiesandlocalorganisations

such asfundingforbasictraining;obtainingsuitableseeds, timber andfuelwoodfromthem;providingassistance Your hotelcansupportprojectslikethisbypurchasing promotion ofsustainabletimberandfuelwoodproduction. establishment oflocalplantnurseries,forestrestoration,or together toputthisobjectiveintopractice. schemes (seeBox12),andaskthemhowyoucanwork Support localsustainableforestryprojects,suchas

Part II: Taking action in the hotel tools and other items necessary for plant nurseries; and by Amenities and spa products distributing information about their efforts. WHAT ARE THE LOCAL AND • Support local projects that help communities use fuel wood GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY ISSUES? more efficiently, such as the introduction of more efficient wood-fuelled stoves and alternative renewable energy Plants have always been a basic resource for human health supply options, such as micro-hydropower schemes. and well-being, and more than 70,000 plant species are used around the world for health and body care purposes. Interest in With my clients and demand for plant-based body care products is increasing • Provide information to guests on how you integrate worldwide, particularly in rapidly expanding urban societies. biodiversity concerns in relation to wood, for example about Increased consumption of body care products derived from what certified wood the hotel uses and what local forest plants is putting increased pressure on a resource that is conservation projects the hotel supports. In cases where largely harvested from depleted wild populations in shrinking your hotel has antique furniture, explain to your guests that wild habitats. the wood in the antique furniture originates from a time when biodiversity was not under the same threat as today. As many as 15,000 species of medicinal and aromatic plants are threatened by over-harvesting or loss of habitat. One • Promote visits to local forest conservation projects. example of this trend is the sandalwood tree, Santalum album: • Collect donations for local forest conservation projects from mature sandalwood trees are felled to extract their aromatic oil your guests. for use in body care products and perfumes, and, as a result, the species is seriously threatened in India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific. Box 13: Design of a hotel procurement pollicy See TRAFFIC Factsheet 8 in Part III for more information on In the case of companies regularly purchasing medicinal and aromatic plants for amenities and spa products. timber and paper products, it is recommended to design a written policy, signed by executive staff WHAT CAN I DO: and communicated internally to relevant staff, but Internally also externally, e.g. to suppliers. An easy to use and • Check all products containing plant-based products to comprehensive guide to develop such a policy can ensure that the plants used to make these products: be found on World Wildlife Fund’s website (http:// - have been harvested sustainably, and have been sourcing.gftn.panda.org/). The core idea is a ‘stair collected from cultivated sources that do not endanger case model’ (see below), which basically divides wild sources of supply. Appropriate standards include the supply into two categories: Sources with additional International Standard for Sustainable Wild Collection of information on legality or sustainability and Sources Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (http://www.floraweb.de/ without such information, which should be avoided proxy/floraweb/MAP-pro/Standard_Version1_0.pdf) or organic, fair trade and sustainable agriculture standards unless the information can be provided. (see Box 10 on page 33); and

Credibly Certified / Recycled Source - are not endangered and/or listed under CITES.

Source Progressing towards Certification • Explain to your staff the hotel’s commitment in relation to the use of medicinal and aromatic plants in amenities and Known Licenced Source spa products. Help them to communicate with customers Known Source about these issues.

With my suppliers Unknown Source Unwanted Source • Choose products from reputable sources that are informed

Source: WWF/GFTN 2011, http://sourcing.gftn.panda.org/ about conservation and sustainable use issues associated See TRAFFIC Factsheet 7 in Part III for more information with production and sourcing of plant-based body- on woods for furniture and construction. care products, and which operate in accordance with international sustainability standards. Appropriate standards

38 been sellingtwo cosmeticslabels: France. Since2002,Cosmebio has label isthemostwidespread in labels wascarriedout.TheCosmebio Finally, astudyofthedifferent French that thismightentail. whilst limitinganyadditionalcosts to allowtheproductsadvance, partnerships withtheirsuppliersand recommendations inordertoform criteria. Acharterprovidedthemwith ranges byintroducingenvironmental develop theircomplimentarytoiletries Accor, wascreatedtohelpthebrands specifications ledger,specificto carried outathoroughstudy.Amodel complimentary toiletries,thegroup decided toidentify“eco-friendly” When hotelsintheAccorgroup the environment. combine highqualitywithrespectfor better receivedbycustomersifthey their guests.Theseproductswillbe part ofthewelcomehoteliersoffer shampoo, etc.)formanimportant in hotelrooms(soap,showergel, Complimentary toiletriesoffered More naturalcosmetics and theyarenot yetreadytowork towards obtaining thiscertification, only afewsuppliersareworking international distribution.Atpresent, to obtaininlargequantitiesand for Cosmebio labelsarecurrently hard it turnedoutthatproductswith After consultingthesuppliers, ecological balance. that respectsbiodiversityandthe farming, ameansofproduction lies intheirsupportfororganic The importanceoftheselabels 100 percentorganicingredients. which requiresproductstocontain oils ortheNature&Progrèslabel, Agriculture certificationforessential cosmetics” labelfromBDIH,theAB example theGerman“certifiednatural less frequentlyusedlabels,for organic ingredients.Thereareother further withitsrequirementsfor the CosmebioBIOlabelgoeseven percent naturalingredients.However, products containaminimumof95 Both theselabelscertifythatthe BIO (eco-friendlyandorganic)label. the ECO(eco-friendly)labeland 39

www.accor.com Accor Manager Sustainable DevelopmentProject Nathanaël Mathieu products astheybecomeavailable. its brandswithCosmebio-labelled hopes tobeableaccompany them. Inthelongerterm,group All Seasons,arealsoworkingwith ecolabelled. Severalbrands,suchas their newrange,whichisentirely management, havenowconfirmed brands withregardstoenvironmental Ibis andNovotel,thegroup’sleading biodegradable. aquatic ecosystemsandarehighly human health,arelessdamagingto harmful totheenvironmentor contain substancesthatareless It guaranteesthattheproducts used, thusensuringadequatesupply. strict thanCosmebio,butmorewidely European Ecolabel,whichisless In theend,companychose with thegroup’sinternationalbrands.

Part II: Taking action in the hotel © Michel GUNTHER / WWF-Canon

include the International Standard for Sustainable Wild Collection of species from the wild Collection of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (http://www. Collecting species from the wild can deplete wild populations floraweb.de/proxy/floraweb/MAP-pro/Standard_Version1_0. and threaten the survival of a species, either because the pdf), or organic, fair trade and sustainable agriculture numbers of individuals collected are too high or because the standards (see Box 10 on page 33). collection methods negatively impact sensitive habitats. For • Explain to your current suppliers that you want to purchase example, some fish collectors illegally use poison to immobilize plant-based spa products and similar items that come fish on reefs, enabling them to collect many more fish than from sustainable sources, and ask them how you can work by other methods. This practice can severely deplete fish together to put this standard into practice. populations and introduce poisons into the ecosystem that harm other species on the reef. Many wild plants are also • Support local communities and producers to build their own threatened by unsustainable collection, including cycads businesses for sustainable harvest and cultivation of plants collected for horticultural use and some populations of for production of plant-based body-care products, and once pitcher-plants (Sarracenia spp.) that are collected for the cut these businesses are established, purchase their products. flower and horticultural trades. With my clients • Explain to your clients the importance of protecting Invasive alien ornamental species medicinal and aromatic plants, and offer information about Many popular ornamental plants and animals are highly invasive where they can purchase medicinal and aromatic plant when introduced into new areas, and can threaten native species. products that are produced sustainably. Consider selling a For example, the koi carp, a colourful variety of common carp selection of these products in the hotel shop. that is used as an ornamental fish in garden ponds, can out- • Use the wall space in the spas to showcase local culture compete native species. Guppies (Poecilia reticulata), which and biodiversity through photographs and artefacts. are a popular aquarium fish species, can escape and survive in many sub-tropical and temperate freshwater habitats, where they damage populations of native fishes and food insects. Ornamental plants and animals Examples of alien invasive ornamental plants include the tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima), which reduces biodiversity WHAT ARE THE LOCAL AND in areas it invades since it provides poor habitat for birds and GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY ISSUES? does not support many insect species. The water hyacinth Use of ornamental species of plants and animals, including (Eichhornia crassipes) can significantly alter the local ecology in any exotic pets, such as iguanas, turtles, parrots or fish, can ecosystems where it is intentionally or accidentally introduced, damage biodiversity through over-collection or the impacts of causing major declines in native biodiversity if the introduction invasive alien species on a natural ecosystem. is not adequately pre-assessed and effectively managed.

40 • • With mysuppliers • • • Internally WHAT CANIDO: horticultural plants. See TRAFFICFactsheet12inPartIIIformoreinformationon animals. See TRAFFICFactsheet9inPartIIIformoreinformationonlive overgrowing corals(http://nas.er.usgs.gov). herbivorous fishesthatkeepseaweedsandmacroalgaefrom of ecologicallyimportantspeciessuchasparrotfishandother addition, lionfishhavethepotentialtodecreaseabundance species bymonopolizingthisimportantfoodresource.In This suggeststhatitmayalsocompetewithnativepredatory 80% wherepredatorylionfishhaveinvadedthelocation. reproduction ofcoral-reeffishescanbereducedbyaround conducted inFlorida(AlbinsandHixon,2008)indicatesthat established intheCaribbeanviaaquariumtrade.Astudy Sea, theIndianOcean,andwesternPacific,hasbeen affecting theCaribbean.ItsnativerangeencompassesRed The lionfishisoneexampleofaninvasivealienspecies Caribbeanconservation.org ). species throughouttheislandsatalarmingrates.(www. invasive species,whicharedecimatingpopulationsofendemic they aretryingtofindwaysinwhichminimizetheimpactof and animalsinthemostsensitiveCaribbeanecosystems, to protectnaturalsitesforthecontinuedexistenceofplants groups, aswellgovernmentalauthorities,aretakingsteps vulnerable tobiologicalinvasions.Currently,Islandconservation Caribbean arenoexception,whichmakestheregionespecially a greatnumberofendemicspecies,andtheislands Islands areparticularlyfragileenvironmentswhichoftenhold

hotel purchases comefromsustainablycultivated or Ensure thatany ornamentalplantsandanimals thatyour http://www.gisp.org/species/index.asp). information, seetheGlobalInvasive SpeciesProgramme, preference totheuseofalternative nativespecies(formore in yourhotelarenotlistedas invasive speciesandgive contractors, checkthatornamental plantsandanimalsused threatened species. Avoid theuseoflocally,regionallyorglobally specialists andbotanists)onhowtoremovethem. (e.g. agronomists,conservationmanagers,fisheries your hotel,andobtainadvicefromappropriatespecialists Get anauditoftheexistinginvasivespeciesinoraround programme forlimitingtheuseofinvasivespecies. alien invasivespecies,andexplaintoyourstaff Create alistofhotelactivitiesthatruntheriskintroducing In cooperationwithlocalnurseriesandlandscaping

41 • With myclients • • • In partnershipwithpublicauthoritiesandlocalorganisations • •

plants andifliveanimaldisplaysareused,including concerns inthedecorationofhotelwithornamental species, orthatusethemforeducationalpurposes. those thatpromoteconservationofnativefaunaandflora Support programmestoeradicateinvasivespeciesand threatened species. ways ofcontrollingthem,andtheprecautionslinkedto about theproblemsthatinvasivespeciescauseand Raise awarenessincommunityandpublicorganisations provision ofexplanatorysigns. decoration withplantsofthehotel’spublicareas,and botanical gardensandplantnurseriesinthedesign certified bytheMarineAquariumCouncil(seeBox14). collected sources.Usecertifiedsources,suchasreeffish your premises. cause, andwaysofcontrollingthem. for thechoiceindigenousplants. information ontheissueofinvasivespeciesasarationale Provide informationonhowyouintegratebiodiversity Engage localconservationorganisations,universities, Inform clientsabouthowtotreatanimalspresenton Explain toyourclientstheproblemsthatinvasivespecies For more information, see:www.aquariumcouncil.org fishandcorals. ornamental more thathalfoftheglobaltradeinwild-collected as Fiji,IndonesiaandthePhilippines, whichsupply continues toexpand,forexample, incountriessuch fish certified collectorsandsuppliers ofornamental the aquariumtrade,andnumberofMAC- The certificationprogramme hasthesupportof Environmental Standards. Code ofGoodPracticeforSettingSocialand aquarium, anditsstandards complywiththeISEAL and caremarinelifefrom ofornamental reef to certification forthoseengagedinthecollection marine ecosystemsbycreating standards and MAC’s missionistoconservecoralreefs andother and sustainabilityofmarineaquariumorganisms. certificationprogrammeinternational forthequality The MarineAquariumCouncil(MAC)runsan Box 14:MarineAquariumCouncilcertification

Part II: Taking action in the hotel © Cat HOLLOWAY / WWF-Canon

Taking action in hotel souvenir shops

WHAT ARE THE LOCAL AND made from stems of some cacti) and cycads, as well as some GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY ISSUES? tropical hardwoods, such as mahogany. Widespread collection from the wild of various plants and Because of the threats to their survival, international trade in animals for production of souvenirs can have serious negative some of the species used in souvenirs is regulated under CITES impacts on biodiversity, and the survival of some species (see Box 9 on page 26). Their local uses may also be controlled is threatened by their use or overuse in souvenir products. by national regulations, in the country where a hotel is located For example, populations of black coral in the Caribbean, as and/or in the countries where many of your guests may come well as red coral in the Mediterranean, have been severely from. Guests who try to take home any of these banned or damaged by intensive exploitation for production of jewellery regulated items risk large fines and confiscation of the items. and ornaments that are sold locally. Hunting of animals for By making guests aware of endangered species and products their fur and other parts has severely impacted populations that they should avoid, and making sure that they are not sold of tigers (mainly hunted for their bones for use in traditional in your hotel shop, you are protecting your guests and your hotel, medicine), leopards and jaguars, while trade in reptile skins as well as the endangered wildlife. It is also important to consider has severely impacted crocodile populations. Elephant and the ethics of trading mineral and fossil souvenirs (see Box 15). rhinoceros populations have suffered as a result of heavy See TRAFFIC Factsheet 8 in Part III for more information on demand for their ivory and horns, while marine species like medicinal and aromatic plants for amenities and spa products. the giant clam and the Critically Endangered hawksbill turtle have been affected by the high levels of demand of the See TRAFFIC Factsheet 10 in Part III for more information on animals for both their shells and for their meat. Plant species wildlife-based souvenirs. damaged by over-harvesting in the wild for the souvenir See TRAFFIC Factsheet 11 in Part III for more information on trade include various orchids, cacti (including “rain sticks” Caribbean marine turtles.

42 © Cat HOLLOWAY / WWF-Canon • • With mysuppliers • • Internally WHAT CANIDO:

from endangered speciesand/orcontravening CITES they shouldnot display,stockorsellanyproducts derived trade inthreatenedspecies. on theCITESlistsandregulations controllingorbanning concerning illegaltradeinendangered species,thespecies regulations toprotectendangeredspecies. illegal tradeinendangeredspecies,CITES,andlocal (http://www.cites.org). legislation controllingorbanningtradeinthreatenedspecies associations forspeciesaddedtoCITESlistsandnational Regularly check(e.g.annually)withlocalauthoritiesand Ensure thatshopmanagersor leaseholdersunderstandthat Inform shopmanagersorleaseholders aboutissues Train your staff to communicate about the issues concerning extraction inthefirstplace. working atsuchsitesorindeedthelegalityof was extracted,theworkingconditionsofpeople scientific integrityofthesitefromwhichmaterial make genuineinquiriesaboutthesustainabilityand being collectedandtradedillegally.Hotelsshould concerned abouttheirfossilandmineralresources and agrowingnumberofcountriesarenowalso the ethicsoftradeinmineralandfossilspecimens, and stalagmites.Therearedifferentviewsregarding and shouldneverbetraded,suchasstalactites Some typesofspecimensarecertainlyinappropriate heritage thanforbiodiversity. done ontheethicstradeingeological within hotels,althoughtherehasbeenlesswork implementing aresponsibleconservationpolicy hotel shopsisanotheraspecttoconsiderwhen The saleofmineralandfossilspecimensin Box 15:Mineralandfossilsouvenirs 43 • • • In partnershipwithpublicauthoritiesandlocalorganisations • • • With myclients

production ofsouvenirsandotheritems. control useoflocalthreatenedspeciesandtheirpartsin governmental organisations(NGOs)onprogrammesto about threatenedspeciesandtheneedtoprotectthem. sustainable materials,includingrecycledproducts. trade inendangeredorthreatenedspecies. regulations and/ornationallegislationcontrollingorbanning related toys. organisations producesuchanimalsorotherbiodiversity- turtles, etc.)fortheirchildren.Oftenlocalenvironmental charismatic localspeciesthatareunderthreat(e.g. or arrival. that theywillnotbeintroublewithcustomsupondeparture “CITES-proof” souvenirsandarticlesthere,asaguarantee on wheretofindoutaboutdomesticregulations. species tradedinternationally,andshouldbeabletoadvise CITES managementauthorityprovidesinformationon org/cms/index.php/lang-en/component/cp/). TheNational (for contactdetails,seeAppendix3andhttp://www.cites. point ofcontactisthenationalCITESmanagementauthority imposed inthecountriesoforigincustomers.Auseful these species,andmakeavailableinformationonthefines trained tocheckforsuchspeciesandproductsderivedfrom legislation. Highlightthefactthatcustomsauthoritiesare species andtraderestrictionsunderCITESand/ornational books) toyourguestsaboutillegaltradeinendangered Work inpartnershipwithlocalauthoritiesandnon- Raise awarenessinthecommunityandpublicorganisations Encourage localartiststodevelopsouvenirsfrom Offer gueststheopportunitytobuytoyanimalsof Have asigninyourshopsayingthatcustomerscanbuy Provide information(videos,DVDs,postersandphoto

Part II: Taking action in the hotel A souvenir that supports biodiversity conservation

Manary Praia Hotel is a small, environment can be arranged through minimum monthly wage is about romantic hotel located in Natal, a city the front desk. US$259.00, this money could help a of 800,000 people. The hotel is on This initiative is promoted through the former poacher family sustain itself for Ponta Negra Beach, one of the most website of the hotel, which links to the nearly four years. But more than the important beach resort destinations Manatee Project website, and hotel money, the hotel manager believes in northeast Brazil, and surrounded staff are also aware of the initiative that the subtle message they pass to by two major protected areas of and its goals. their guests shows that it is always primary rainforest. possible to do something to help The advantage of this initiative is conserve our planet’s biodiversity. In this area lives the most endangered its simplicity, which involves simply marine mammal in Brazil: the ordering the toys, paying for them in Based on the example of the Manary manatee. During colonial times, this advance, and selling them to guests Praia, a major nationwide home store gentle giant was present along most with a small mark-up to pay for the (Tok & Stock) has begun to offer the of the northeastern Brazilian coast, costs of the operation (delivery, taxes, same toys at its facilities, hoping to but due to hunting and habitat loss, etc.). No profit is made from this bring in even more revenue for the only an estimated 500 individuals are initiative, aside from the benefits to Manatee Project. still living in the wild, in a much more the hotel’s image, which is considered Eduardo Bagnoli restricted range. To stop poor coastal a desirable side-effect. Since 2000, Owner communities from hunting manatees the hotel has sold close to 600 Manary Praia Hotel for food, the Manatee Project (www. manatee toys, raising US$11,500. www.manary.com.br projetopeixe-boi.com.br), a federal Considering that the Brazilian government project, has developed a number of initiatives. One of these initiatives involves the production of manatee stuffed toys and employs the daughters of former poachers. In 2000, Eduardo, the owner of the Manary Praia Hotel, came across the Manatee Research Center, where the manatee toys were sold. He then had the idea to offer the toys to guests of his hotel. When guests enter their rooms, they see these cute toys on their beds, with a small brochure explaining the history and purpose of the Manatee Project. A DVD and a book about the Manatee Project are also available to guests. Tours of the Manatee Research Center (Centro de Mamíferos Aquáticos do IBAMA) at Pernambuco State and the Manatee Project facilities where manatees are re-introduced to the natural © Eduardo Bagnoli, Director, Manary Praia Hotel

44 such asthecollection ofprotected in thesurroundingcommunities, for monitoringanyillegalpractices The resortteamsareresponsible local communities. above allbasedonfieldworkin group. However,thispolicyis and managedbytheSixSenses shops, becausetheyareallowned which applytoeachoftheresort group’s policiesandprocedures, These principlesformpartofthe shells, flowers,etc. ecosystem: sharkfinsorteeth,coral, species thatmakeupthecoralreef animals orplantsand,inparticular, products derivedfromendangered shops, toensurethatthereareno monitoring productssoldinresort One ofitsactivitiesinvolves conservation inparticular. biodiversity conservation,andmarine group hasstrongprinciplesregarding of tourismingeneral.TheSixSenses and inthesustainabledevelopment involved inbiodiversityconservation resort andspagroup,actively Six Sensesisaninternationalluxury Discouraging illegalsouvenirs © Anke Hofmeister

traditional techniques,suchasthe members ofthecommunitytoadapt them withsupport.Italsoencourages make interestingarticlesandprovides the grouplooksforartisanswhocan these populations.Ontheonehand, constitute asourceofincomefor in theresortsandspaswill that canlaterbesoldtotourists encourage theproductionofobjects The SixSensesestablishments of environmentalissues. train themandraisetheirawareness more “ethical”souvenirs,andalso of incomethroughtheproduction can offerthemanalternativesource to reducepoverty.Inparticular,they surrounding communitiesinorder underprivileged populationsinthe work firstandforemostwiththemost basis andsolutionsaresought.They them arestudiedonacase-by-case are detected,thereasonsbehind to tourists.Ifanyofthesepractices species (turtles,shells,etc.)forsale © Soneva Fushi by Six Senses 45 for manufacturingsouvenirstosuitthe the artisans’productsandoffersideas Six Sensesgroupcommitstobuying In ordertoprovidethissupport,the coconut shells. materials, suchastoysmadefrom of souvenirsmadefromrecycled the hotelsalsoencouragecreation and forthehotel’sbrochures.Finally, for example,isusedtomakegift-wrap today’s requirements.Thericepaper, local productionofricepaper,to www.sixsenses.com Six SensesResorts&Spas Innovation Maintenance, Engineering& Group DirectorofProperty Juergen E.Seidel identified inthecommunity. of externalcollaboratorswhoare resort teams,orbythefinancing are carriedouteitherinternallyby and awareness-raisingactions,which tourists’ tastes.Italsoofferstraining

Part II: Taking action in the hotel Taking action in hotel grounds and gardens

WHAT ARE THE LOCAL AND and/or grow plants attractive to butterflies. Where possible, GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY ISSUES? set aside land as natural areas or reserves; even small areas Maintaining a hotel’s gardens and grounds can have negative can be valuable for wildlife. impacts on biodiversity through pollution from pesticides and • Work with local wildlife experts to ensure that hotel lighting fertilizers and excessive water consumption for watering and does not adversely affect wildlife, particularly if your hotel is irrigation. In addition, some species used in gardens are highly situated near sensitive wildlife sites, such as turtle nesting invasive and can cause substantial damage to populations of beaches. Use lighting equipment that minimises the upward native species and disrupt natural ecosystem processes, while spread of light near to and above the horizontal (e.g. by using the use of locally, regionally or globally threatened species cowlings that direct light downwards). Locate lights to reduce can put additional stress on species populations. Light and stray light and glare to a minimum; away from buildings, noise from hotel facilities can disturb wildlife, making it more luminance should not exceed five candela per square metre difficult for some species to feed and reproduce effectively. For (Cd/m2). For some species, there are specific requirements example, the reproductive success of marine turtles is greatly – e.g. for turtles, no bright lights should be visible from diminished when there are bright lights near to their nesting beaches during the breeding and hatching period. beaches, as new hatchlings may become confused and head • Use sound insulation and reduce noise at source, to limit toward the buildings instead of the sea. Conversion of natural disturbance to wildlife. habitats to recreational uses, including gardens and sports grounds, can also lead to fragmentation of local ecosystems In partnership with public authorities and local organisations and reduce the overall space available for wildlife. • Consult with local conservation organisations, universities or botanical gardens in the design of a biodiversity-friendly See TRAFFIC Factsheet 12 in Part III for more information on garden or hotel grounds. the use of horticultural plants. • Develop explanatory signs on the various species, in WHAT CAN I DO: partnership with local conservation organisations. Internally and/or with my suppliers • Engage local teachers, conservation organisations, universities • Plant local indigenous species and/or drought-resistant or botanical gardens in developing nature trails and biodiversity species wherever possible in landscaped and garden areas. edu-tainment (education + entertainment) activities for Even small gardens in city hotels can incorporate such children and their families, e.g. a game to explore and discover species. Purchase these plants from local greenhouses. different aspects of biodiversity in and around the hotel.

• If you plan to have exotic animals on your grounds, ensure • Encourage use of local indigenous species and that you have all the relevant national permits that may be incorporation of wildlife areas in gardens and public areas. required for purchasing and keeping them, and that they are • Support programmes to eradicate alien invasive species. obtained from sustainable sources. • Support the development of local biodiversity businesses, • Check that plants used in your hotel’s grounds and gardens such as indigenous tree nurseries, and incorporate the are not listed as invasive species (for more information, see products of these businesses in your supply chain. the Global Invasive Species Programme, http://www.gisp. With my clients org/species/index.asp). • Communicate with guests about how you have integrated • Plant local, native tree and bush species to create shaded biodiversity concerns in the design and management of the areas and new habitats. You can also green your roofs and grounds by: walls, which will also have a positive energy savings effect. - placing signs on trees and in flower beds with the names • Encourage wildlife in your hotel grounds. For example, of the indigenous species; consider creating a wildlife garden, or in small urban spaces - setting up nature trails for guests with interpretative provide suitable nesting places for birds and nesting boxes

46 - period, basedon pilotsatthreehotels, The guidewas writtenoveratwo-year more attractiveforwildlifeand people. transforming thelandscapeto makeit products suitedtotheseasons and the area,usingnaturaltechniques and ensure responsiblemanagementof to thelocalconditions.Theythen and chooseplantspeciesadapted by rethinkingwhattodowiththeirland two principles:thehotelshavetostart managing theirlandthatisbasedon The hotelsareofferedaguidefor environmental programme. into ashowcaseforthehotelchain’s improving theseareastoturnthem gave risetotheideaofrestoringand unattractive surroundings.Thisfact provide anaturalescapeinthese plots, theseestablishmentscan However, thankstotheirlarge and industrialzones,isdiminishing. now beenturnedintocommercial hotels, locatedinareasthathave Today, theoriginalappealofthese were veryinexpensive. which atthetimehotelswerebuilt generally constructedonlargeplots, Indeed, theseestablishmentswere the demandsofbusinesstravelers. towns, onmajorroads,tomeet hotels werebuiltontheedgeof Historically, manyFrenchNovotel Partnerships fornaturalgardens the doortogarden,andcouldalsobeprintedon The mapshouldalsobeavailableonthewallnextto hotel directorythatisavailabletoguestsintheirrooms. and opportunitiesforbirdwildlifewatching,inthe on thetrail;and leaflets andothertypesofinformationaboutbiodiversity including amapofthegarden,withvariousspecies

management. its expertiseforthisnewgreen space (LPO). ThecityofLyonalsoprovided French birdprotectionassociation, was carriedoutinpartnership withthe the all produced nestboxesandsigns.In officers, whoseworkshopshave people; andpoliceyouthintervention the workcarriedoutbydisabled after thegreenspacesandpromoting and abotanist;thecompanylooking local partners:aplantnurseryworker This operationhasmobilisedmany the company’sachievements. hotel entrance,explaintheprojectand Information boards,installedinthe that attractbutterfliesandbirds. flowers orberriesmakeuphedges with climbingplants,andshrubs along theentrance,therearetrellises scented plants.Intheflowerborders and byimaginingagardenfullof meadow, byrethinkinglawnmowing gardens bycreatinganaturalflower attractive, thehoteltransformedits green spacesandmakethemmore In ordertodevelopits7,000m²of pilot hotelsinthisnationalproject. Novotel Limogeswasoneofthe national management. and incollaborationwiththegroup’s these pilot hotels, the restoration of these pilothotels,therestorationof landtoadaptitlocalspecies 47 •

contribute totheirconservation. about localbiodiversityresourcesandhowtheycan Design signboardsonthehotelbeachtoinformguests the garden. paper usedontraystoservecoffee,teaandsnacksin wide varietyofstakeholders,who interest inthissubjectsharedbya This experiencedemonstratesthe www.accor.com Novotel France Operational MarketingManagerof & YvesLecret Manager ofNovotelLimogesleLac Daniel Cunin this tobecarriedoutmoreeasily. expertise toallowprojectssuchas between themhavethemeansand © Daniel Cunin

Part II: Taking action in the hotel Rainforest Alliance © Chris Wille 48 • With mysuppliers • • • • Internally WHAT CANIDO: competitiveness ofyourdestination. hotel’s gates,thuscontributingtomaintainingthequalityand biodiversity conservationactivitiesandprotectionoutsideyour profile oftheseissuesandincreaseyourhotel’sinfluenceon By workingwithotherpartners,itispossibletoraisethe conservation andsustainableuseapriorityforthearea. biodiversity inadestination,andmayfailtomake and communitiesmaynotbefullyawareoftheimportance resourced andunder-staffed.Inaddition,publicauthorities destination, inmanycasestheseorganisationsareunder- the conservationandsustainableuseofbiodiversityina While therearemanyhighlyqualifiedorganisationsdriving influence theoverallhealthandqualityoftheirenvironment. destinations, biodiversityprovidesecosystemservicesthat is themajorattractionfortouristsinsomeplaces,all attractiveness oftourismindestinations.Whilebiodiversity Protecting biodiversityisvitalformaintainingtheviabilityand GLOBAL BIODIVERSITYISSUES? WHAT ARETHELOCALAND conservation efforts Supporting localbiodiversity Taking actioninthedestination

protection activities. the partnersyourhotelisworking withandtheirbiodiversity Promote theirengagementby providinginformationabout conservation. to leveragecommunityinterest andsupportfornature habitats, suchasbeaches. with andtheirbiodiversityprotectionactivities. ecosystems, andaboutthepartnersyourhotelisworking destination’s needs. associations, matchingthestaff’sskillsandtalentswith Organise activitieswithyourstafftosupportenvironmental Use yourcontributionofstafftimeandotherresources Organise andparticipateincampaignstocleanuplocal Provide yourstaffwithinformationonlocalbiodiversityand

49 • In partnershipwithpublicauthoritiesandlocalorganisations • •

------authorities to: goal intopractice. use, andaskthemhowyoucanworktogethertoputthis partnerships forbiodiversityconservationandsustainable like tovisit: that improvebiodiversityandtourismatsitesyourguests Work withdestinationmanagementorganisationsandlocal Explain toyoursuppliersthatyouwantsetup Support theprojectsoforganisationsandpublicauthorities communities andbusinesses; of protectingbiodiversityforthedestination,its funding sources, includinglocalbiodiversity management and hospitality. and accountingsystems, understandingoftourism generate revenuefortheirconservation activities. and productdevelopmenttohelpthemsetuptours etc.) forlotteriesandotherfundraisingactivities. and/or in-kindprizes(dinner,weekendstayinthehotel, to celebratethesuccessoflocalconservationinitiatives, conservation initiatives,spaceandcateringforfunctions development inyourdestination. their projectsandtothosepertainingplanning Participate indecision-makingproceduresrelevantto decision makersintheprivatesectororgovernment. projects byhelpingthemtomakecontactwithkey natural landscapesinyourdestination. that willcontributetotheconservationofbiodiversityand voluntary practicesandcodesofconductforhoteliers products andservicesvaluebiodiversity; areas forbiodiversityconservation(seeBox16); encourage themtodesignateandadequatelymanage raise theirawarenessoftheimportanceandvalue Provide direct financial supportorsuggestpossible Offer trainingsessionsonbusiness skills,management Assist withinformaltechnicaladviceonmarketing Provide roomsandcateringformeetingsoflocal Create opportunitiesforyourgueststovisitthese encourage thedevelopmentandimplementationof encourage themtosupportlocalbusinesseswhose

Part II: Taking action in the hotel and conservation projects and environmental education biodiversity damage, and poorly managed tourist activities in programmes in local schools and communities. deserts can have serious adverse impacts on the fragile and sensitive desert ecosystem. With my clients • Provide information about the partnerships your hotel See TRAFFIC Factsheet 13 in Part III for more information on supports, and about the partners that you are working with activities and excursions. (posters, brochures, web pages). WHAT CAN I DO: • Offer the option to your guests to visit projects your hotel is supporting. Internally • Ensure that any activities that are provided by your hotel are • Provide opportunities for guests who wish to make well-managed in terms of protection of biodiversity, comply donations to projects, for example by including an optional with relevant local, national and international standards donation to local biodiversity conservation activities as part (e.g. marine recreation standards or local regulations on of their bills. diving on coral reefs or around other sensitive sites), and • Offer volunteer opportunities to guests who wish to are conducted by fully trained staff who are able to monitor participate in activities linked to projects with your partners the impacts of tourist activities. When in doubt about the or those that your hotel supports. standards, consult local conservation authorities and NGOs.

• Appoint and train Biodiversity Information Focal Points among your staff to provide first-hand information to your clients (especially if you are adjacent to a natural area). Activities and excursions • Offer your guests up-to-date information on opportunities offered at the tour desk for wildlife watching and visits to conservation projects, protected areas, nature reserves, or areas of high WHAT ARE THE LOCAL AND biodiversity value (see Box 17). GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY ISSUES? • Ask staff for their ideas on improving existing activities, or Biodiversity is a vital asset for tourism destinations, as high- possible new activities that you could offer. quality natural surroundings are an important element for many With my suppliers recreational activities. Well-managed tours to watch wildlife or • Work with local tour agencies and operators to offer tours visit conservation projects in areas of high biodiversity value and activities that are well-managed in terms of protection (see Box 17) are a great attraction for your guests and one of of biodiversity, comply with relevant local, national and the fastest growing parts of the tourism sector. Tours can also international standards, and are conducted by fully provide a valuable source of income that helps to protect wildlife. trained staff.

But if sites for tourism activities are overcrowded and • Encourage small enterprises to increase their benefit from damaged, the quality of the tourism experience is reduced. tourism and sustainable use of biodiversity, by building local Often in sensitive ecosystems, such as coral reefs, wetlands businesses to develop sustainable production/harvesting of or mountain areas above the tree-line, visits by tourists can biological resources that you use in your hotel and/or provide damage wildlife and biodiversity, if not properly managed. Even tours for your guests (e.g. bird watching, nature treks). modest numbers of tourists can cause disturbance to wildlife and damage vegetation by trampling and erosion of paths. For In partnership with public authorities and local organisations example, heavily used dive sites on coral reefs have fewer fish • Support tours developed and managed by community and more signs of damage compared to other parts of reefs, organisations and local enterprises (e.g. bird watching, heavily used paths and ski areas in mountains show signs of nature treks).

50 • With myclients • • •

recreational activities. that canbecaused bydiving,snorkellingand other resources, suchascoralreefs, birdlifeandotherbiodiversity resources andtheirvalue, aboutthedamagetonatural Provide guestswithinformation aboutlocalnatural variety ofsites. encouraging agreaterdiversityofactivitiesanduse avoid overcrowdingandoveruseofsites,forexampleby other serviceprovidersinthedestination. and nature-basedtourismaredisseminatedbyallhotels authorities toensurethatregulationsforwildlifewatching need forworkingwithtouristgroups. provide themwithanytrainingand/orequipmenttheymay Work withorganisationsofferingnature-basedactivitiesto Work withdestinationmanagementorganisationsandlocal Use qualifiedguidesfromlocalcommunities,andhelp © Jürgen FREUND / WWF-Canon 51 • • • • Develop the locallevel. your clientsbetter understandthevalueofbiodiversity at accompanied byguidesinsensitive areas. appreciate localbiodiversity, and requirethatguestsbe of yourguests’dives(seehttp://www.coral.org). and offerwaterproofscubacardstoenhancetheexperience activities suchastrekking,snorkellingandturtlewatching, Produce cardsillustratingbestpracticesinrecreational codes ofconductforwhalewatching,snorkellingordiving. impacts onnaturalenvironmentsandwildlife,suchas behaviour thatcanallowgueststominimisetheiradverse a responsibleway. and provideguidelinesforhowtopracticetheseactivitiesin Ensure trainedguidesareavailable tohelpguests Provide informationonenvironmentallysustainable Recommend responsibleprovidersofrecreationalactivities, ad hoc interpretationprogrammesthat willhelp

Part II: Taking action in the hotel Box 16: Sustainable tourism guidelines facilities and products, and can be used as a checklist (the Convention’s website “Biodiversity and Tourism The links between tourism and biodiversity have been Network” allows you to check your performance recognized by the Convention on Biological Diversity along the 35 main action items using a survey – see since 2004. The CBD Guidelines on Biodiversity and http://tourism.cbd.int/survey.shtml ) or as a reference, Tourism Development (http://www.cbd.int/tourism/ particularly in dealing with legal, institutional and guidelines.shtml) summarize the requirements for a community relations. As the guidelines are more general biodiversity-friendly tourism operation, from planning in scope, the CBD has developed a User’s Manual that to management, and from impact assessment to explains how the principles can be applied to tourism community relations and reporting. The guidelines and facility development (http://tourism.cbd.int/). consist of 12 steps for the adequate planning of tourism

Birds, the new guests at Etap Hotels

The low-cost hotel chain Etap Hotel in this partnership becomes a Etap Hotel decided to support six of and the French bird protection corporate benefactor member of the LPO’s bird rescue centres by donating association Ligue pour la Protection local LPO group. In return, the hotel 0.30 euro from each breakfast ordered des Oiseaux (LPO), have formed a benefits from a series of services at their hotels for two weeks. This partnership with a common goal: aimed at educating their clients, staff action provided the opportunity for to raise awareness about nature and children, including awareness- hotel collaborators and their families conservation. raising documents to display in to visit the rescue centres, learn about LPO is a French association whose hotel rooms and communal areas, their missions, and participate in the main missions are the restoration and a subscription to l’Oiseau magazine releasing of birds that had been treated conservation of the natural heritage, and Rapaces de France, two of the and were ready to return to the wild. association’s publications, educational and environmental education and Jean Hentz games for children, and guides for awareness-raising, in particular Sustainable Development locally organised nature trips. through activities aimed at discovering Coordinator nature. They saw Etap Hotels, with its Moreover, each hotel is free to carry Etap Hotel-Formule 1 280 hotels, 2,500 collaborators and 8 out other individual actions with www.accor.com million customers per year in France, its local LPO branch. For example, as a powerful lever with which to birdwatching trips during peak reach a larger number of people. Etap migration periods are organised in Hotel, meanwhile, sought to meet the the Bay of the Somme, and in some expectations of customers who are hotels in urban areas the installation of becoming increasingly aware of and nest boxes has favoured the return of interested in the discovery of their the common swift. Finally, the creation natural heritage. of a “nature area” in the hotel with In 2006, a partnership agreement bird songs playing as background was signed, and by 2007, more than music and posters of fauna and 50 percent of the hotel network had flora enhance the atmosphere of the joined forces with LPO. A target of 70 establishment, whilst at the same time percent participation was set for 2008. performing a civic-minded function.

More specifically, each hotel involved In 2007, increasing their involvement, © Pierre-Emmanuel Rastoin

52 are selectedaccording tointernationaland regional to ensurethelong-termsurvival ofthesesites.IPAs fungi andtheirhabitatsaround theworld,designed of thebestnaturalorsemi-natural sitesforwildplants, are theplantequivalentofIBAs. Theyformanetwork Important PlantAreas: http://www.audubon.org/bird/iba/index.html http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/sites/index.html organisations incountrieswhereIBAsareestablished. run byBirdLifeInternationalandnationalconservation and theCamargueinFrance.TheIBAprogrammeis The Philippines,RoyalChitwanNationalParkinNepal, Cuba. OtherexamplesworldwideareTubbatahaReef in with only1ha-to530,695hainCiénegadeZapata Bayfield PondandEastPointinBarbados-both IBAs hadbeenidentified,thesevaryinginsizefrom territories worldwide,andintheCaribbeanregion, 283 were nearly11,000IBAsinsome200countriesand species withrestricteddistributions.Asof2009,there seabirds, orwhichsupportasignificantnumberofbird concentrations ofmigratorybirds,shorebirdsor threatened species,orhouselargenumbers habitats thatsustainapopulationofaninternationally conservation ofpopulationsbirds,forexample is anareathathasgloballyimportanthabitatforthe Important BirdAreas: http://www.unep-wcmc.org/wdpa/ http://www.unep-wcmc.org/protected_areas/ science/wcpa_categories/index.cfm http://cms.iucn.org/about/union/commissions/wcpa/wcpa_work/wcpa_strategic/wcpa_ for biodiversityconservation. individuals orcompaniesmaysetasideprotectedareas protected areas.Inaddition,somelocalcommunities, (WCMC) maintainsagloballistofover100,000national sites. UNEP’sWorldConservationMonitoringCentre effective visitormanagementisvitaltoconservethese recreation andtourism,mainlyecotourism;therefore of StrictProtection),allprotectedareasallowfor categories and,withtheexceptionofCategoryI(Areas according totheirmanagementobjectivesinsix other effectivemeans’.Protectedareasareclassified cultural resources,andmanagedthroughlegalor biological diversity,andofnaturalassociated dedicated totheprotectionandmaintenanceof IUCN (1994)as‘anareaoflandand/orseaespecially Protected areas: Box 17: Areas ofhighbiodiversityvalue Aprotectedareaisdefinedby

An ImportantBirdArea(IBA) ImportantPlantAreas(IPAs)

53 sites covers39%ofthecountry,with17%considered Concerning Mexico,theareaofthesepriorityplant many environmentswithsimilardataavailabilityissues. great potentialforstimulatingfurtherIPAidentificationin These areonlypreliminarysites,butthisstudyhas identification ofsixIPAsinTurks&CaicosIslands. and conservingIPAsintheCaribbean,resulted the Caribbean.Arecentresearchprojectintoidentifying Morocco, partsoftheHimalayas,Americas,and the ASEANregion,SouthernAfrica,Cameroon, in variousplaces,suchasLebanon,NewZealand, across Europe,andfurtherIPAsarebeingestablished Conservation. Asof2010,therewere1,771IPAs coordinating Target5oftheGlobalStrategyforPlant International, whichisalsoaleadpartnerwithIUCNin IPA programmeinEuropeiscoordinatedbyPlantlife species richness/diversityandthreatenedhabitats.The guidelines basedonthreecriteria:threatenedspecies, http://whc.unesco.org/en/ Sian Ka’aninMexico. Guatemala, BelizeBarrierReef ReserveSystem,and Great BarrierReefinAustralia, TikalNationalParkin in Tanzania,theGalapagos IslandsofEcuador,the Natural examplesincludetheSerengetiNationalPark and 27mixedWorldHeritageSitesin151countries. As of2010,therewere704cultural,180natural outstanding universalculturalandnaturalheritage. the relevantcountryasformingpartofworld’s Educational, ScientificandCulturalOrganisation) is designatedbyUNESCO(TheUnitedNations World HeritageSites: http://www.ramsar.org/index_list.htm in Mexico,arepopulardestinationsfortourists. in Bahamas,CiénegadeZapataCuba,andCozumel U.S., LakeTiticacainBolivia/Peru,InaguaNationalPark 188 millionhectares.Wetlands like theEverglades in the there are1,932Ramsarwetlandsites,totallingalmost Wetlands, signedinRamsar,Iran,1971.Currently in accordancewiththeInternationalConventionon are sitesthathavebeendesignatedforconservation (Ramsar sites): Wetlands ofInternationalImportance http://www.plantlife.org.uk/international/plantlife-ipas-about.htm Strategy forPlantConservation). as ahighpriority(MexicohasalsoadoptedNational Wetlands ofInternationalImportance EachWorldHeritageSite

Part II: Taking action in the hotel Six Senses commits to protecting sharks

Six Senses is an international luxury this large predator would endanger and tour operators are given model resort and spa group. Some of their the balance of the entire marine letters to send to the local authorities establishments are located in the ecosystem. The project’s main and government about this serious Maldives, where the conservation objective is to achieve a total ban on problem, demanding that they ban and quality of the marine environment shark fishing in the Atoll and in the recreational shark hunting. Customers are essential for the future of Maldives. and tourism promoters can thus send local populations and the tourist Six Senses and its partners ban a strong message from the resorts to industry alike. tourist activities such as big game the political decision-makers in the In partnership with other resorts in fishing and hunting in their resorts, Atoll and the Maldives. the region, Six Senses began the report operators who offer tourists Juergen E. Seidel “Baa Atoll” project in mid-2007, these activities and support decision- Group Director of Property in order to find ways of improving makers to create and implement Maintenance, Engineering & environmental protection and the relevant legislation. Innovation well-being of local communities. In order to raise customer awareness Six Senses Resorts & Spas The project addresses many issues, and support the group’s advocacy www.sixsenses.com including the protection of manta rays, activities, customers, partner agencies night fishing, the minimum size of fish authorised for harvesting, and damage to the seabed caused by anchors. The project also discourages activities that are liable to disturb species in their natural habitat, such as turtle or dolphin watching tours in the breeding areas and during breeding periods. Even for educational purposes, these activities can endanger the animals and put their survival at risk. Within all these activities, priority is given to the protection of sharks, whose populations worldwide have declined dramatically over the last few years. Intensive hunting is dramatically reducing shark populations in our oceans, where the disappearance of © Six Senses

54 activities, andare responsiblefor participate inenvironmental protection chosen. Theygatherinformation and meeting, twoemployeesper hotel are raising daysforhotelstaff.At each organise jointactionandawareness- Centre-Val-de-Loire Regionregularly Likewise, the21Ibishotelsin and Mankindin2007. Fondation NicolasHulotforNature a partnershipagreementwiththe Following this,IbisFrancesigned management certificationin2004. obtained ISO14001environmental development policy,Ibishotels As partofAccor’ssustainable The beach,aplaceforraisingstaffawareness shelter, a‘bathotel’.Thebuilding undertook tobuildawoodenbat try tohelptheseanimals.Eachhotel Accor Austria’sstaffthuschoseto encroaches ontheirnaturalhabitat. threatened byurbansprawl,which of batinAustria,buttheirfutureis mosquitoes. Thereare25species useful animalsthat,forexample,eat misunderstood, theyareactuallyvery Although batsareoftenmalignedand in collaborationwithabiologist. working onabatconservationproject Since 2007,AccorAustriahasbeen Accor Austriaanditsbathotels Photos ©PeterPeer are inaccessible bycar,theresultof animal species. Althoughthedunes beach isabreedingsiteforseveral Situated onanaturereserve, the hotels. which arepaidforbythedifferent the participants’ a budgetof group. Thiskindofeventrequires with alocalenvironmentalprotection the Vendéein2006,collaboration organised tocleanupabeachin Loire Riverin2005,alocaleventwas After aclean-upofthebanks the staffintheirhotelonreturn. passing oninformationtotherestof welcome. Itwasthusanopportunity a picnic,wherechildrenwerealso forests. Thisfundaycentredaround of discoveryexploringcavesinlocal were invitedtoparticipateinaday or sevenstaffmembersperhotel) In 2008,staffvolunteers(aroundsix inhabited bybats. several oftheseshelterswerealready the project’sbiologistreportedthat by thesebats.Afewmonthslater, the boxesintrees,areasvisited on theoutskirtsoftowntoerect teams thenwentoffintoaforest 3,000 euros, excluding 3,000 euros,excluding travellingexpenses, 55

www.accor.com Accor Austria Sustainable DevelopmentManager GM ofMercureWienCityand Elisabeth Dissauer in thelocalpress. details oftheprojectwerepublished independent ofhotelcustomers, Although itwasaninternalproject, financed byAccorHospitality. This inexpensiveoperationwas hotels” thatwereerectedin2007. habitat andalsotocleanthe“bat to learnmoreaboutthebats’natural www.accor.com Hotel IbisBloisValléeMaillard Manager Laurent Guerre-Genton washing machine. plastic bags,glassbottlesandevena two tonnesofrubbish:cigarettes, day, the40participantshadcollected of theenvironment.Atend that shouldbetakenandthefragility the areainquestion,precautions the eventwitha30-minutetalkon problem. Theassociationopened pollution ofprotectedareasisareal the day’sclean-upshowedthat

Part II: Taking action in the hotel Accor commits to the ‘Plant for the Planet’ programme © SOS Sahel

In April 2008, Accor confirmed its the programme and presenting new SOS Sahel in the area of Niayes: sustainable development commitment practices for dealing with bath towels. the project is to plant small trees on by committing to the ‘Plant for the A campaign to build awareness dunes to prevent them from drifting Planet: Billion Tree Campaign’. The among customers is also planned. over nearby cultivated lands with the initiative, which was launched by Customers are encouraged to take wind. Overall, 300.000 trees are to be the United Nations Environment part in the programme through a new planted within 3 years, hence preserving Programme under the sponsorship message posted in their bathrooms: a strategic farm area of Senegal. of Prince Albert II of Monaco and “Here, YOUR towels plant trees.” Hélène Roques Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Director, Sustainable Development Nobel Peace Prize, planted more than Following a pilot phase that has Accor 1.6 billion trees in 2007. involved all brands on all continents, this project is financing the planting of www.accor.com Accor aims to engage both hotel three million trees by the end of 2012. operators and customers in this Accor hotels in 100 countries will innovative global reforestation project. take part in projects in seven of the Through the project, the hotels pledge world’s forest regions, working closely to finance tree planting projects with with seven associations chosen the money that they save on laundry for their ability to manage planting costs when guests keep their bath programmes that are particularly towels for more than one night. relevant for environmental protection To support the project, Accor is and biodiversity preservation, while offering special training for floor staff. also developing local business With the assistance of a large number opportunities. of housekeepers from different hotels These projects include planting across all the brands, an educational programmes in key regions such as film was made to present the Brazil, Indonesia or Senegal. As for importance of reforestation for local the latter, Accor is teaming up with communities, while also explaining

56 57

© Adrian REUTER Part II: Taking action in the hotel 58 © Mauri RAUTKARI / WWF-Canon or adiverserange ofproductsneededorprized byhumans— resources bypeople. Thiscaninvolveliveanimals andplants Wildlife tradeisanysaleorexchange ofwildanimalandplant What isthewildlifetrade? to adviseonwherefindout aboutdomesticregulations. information onspeciestradedinternationally,andshouldbe able worldwide). TheNationalCITESmanagementauthorityprovides authorities –includingtheScientificandLawEnforcementones- cms/index.php/lang-en/component/cp/ togetherwithallCITES found inAppendix3ofthisGuide,andathttp://www.cites.org/ details oftheCaribbeanCITESmanagementauthoritiescan be contact isthe products discussedhere,asappropriate.Ausefulpointof and internationalregulationsrecommendationsonthe have changedsincethen.Hoteliersareadvisedtochecklocal believed correctatthetimeofgoingtopressin2012,itmay While theinformationpresentedinthesefactsheetswas simply donotbuyit. products. Ifyouareindoubtaboutthelegalityofaproduct, get generaltipsonpromotingsustainablepurchasesofwildlife to illegalordetrimentaltradeinwildlife.AlsoseeAppendix4 think carefullybeforebuyingand,therefore,avoidcontributing products. Theinformationinthesefactsheetswillhelpbuyersto positive andnegative,onthesupplydemandofwildlife legal ones.Hotelbuyerscanhaveamajorinfluence,both can filterintothemarketandbecomeindistinguishablefrom Thus, illegallysourcedproductsfromprotectedwildpopulations many speciesexists,reliabletrackingsystemsoftendon’texist. have asignificantconservationimpact food, tonics,medicine,timber,clothing,ornamentsorpets— The products andservicesbasedonbiologicalresources. guide hoteliersinmakingsustainableandresponsiblechoicesof project byTRAFFIC The following use ofbiologicalresources Factsheets onthesustainable TRAFFIC Recommends– Part III: purchase ofwildanimalandplantproducts nationalCITESmanagementauthority 13 factsheets were developed as part of this 13 factsheetsweredevelopedaspartofthis , the wildlife trade monitoring network, to , thewildlifetrademonitoringnetwork,to

. While legal trade in . Whilelegaltradein —whether for —whether for (contact (contact can can 59 Why iswildlifetraded? internationally. national borders,butthereisalargevolumeofwildlifeintrade and otherfoodproducts.Mostwildlifetradeisprobablywithin including skins,medicinalingredients,touristcurios,timber,fish Collections: • Religion: • Healthcare: • Sport: • Clothingandornaments: • Buildingmaterials: • Fodder: • Fuel: • Food: • Wildlife istradedformanyreasons,including: by museumsand privateindividuals. religious purposes. care. population reliesontraditional medicinesforprimaryhealth pharmaceuticals. Anestimated80percentoftheworld’s and traditionalmedicinestoingredientsforindustrial trophy hunting. feathers. gums andresins. housing toingredientsinmanufacturingprocesses,suchas forest productinaridregionsofAsiaandAfrica. cooking andheating,especiallyinruralareas. response toincreasedhumanpopulationsandpoverty. on wildmeatisgrowinginEasternandSouthernAfrica, 60 countries.ATRAFFICstudydemonstratedthatreliance least afifthoftheanimalproteininruraldietsmorethan many ruralareas.Wildanimals(includingfish)contributeat particularly importantresourcesforsustaininglivelihoodsin Trees and plants are an important source of fuel for Treesandplantsareanimportantsourceoffuelfor Fruits, mushrooms, nuts, leaves and tubers are Fruits,mushrooms,nuts,leavesandtubersare Wildlife is collected for sports ranging from falconry to Wildlifeiscollectedforsportsrangingfromfalconryto Fodder is considered a very important non-wood Fodderisconsideredaveryimportantnon-wood Many animals and plants or derivatives are used for Manyanimalsandplantsorderivatives areusedfor Wildlife provides everything from herbal remedies Wildlifeprovideseverythingfromherbalremedies Many wildlife specimens and curios are collected Manywildlifespecimens andcuriosarecollected These range from timber for furniture and Theserangefromtimberforfurnitureand These include leather, furs, Theseincludeleather,furs,

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends A note about fisheries and certification schemes several fisheries rating systems. These schemes, and their ranking systems, are presented here, to help you Factsheets 1-6 in this section discuss various fish and better understand what each label means. seafood products. For each type of product, TRAFFIC recommends which species to choose and which to WWF be wary of when making purchasing decisions. Much WWF, TRAFFIC’s joint programme partner (alongside of this information includes not only Caribbean data, IUCN) helps promote sustainable fishing and seafood but also from Europe and the North Atlantic because supplies. In 1996 WWF together with Unilever, one of information from these regions is more readily available. the world’s biggest buyers of frozen fish, successfully Hotels and buyers elsewhere should try and find out as established the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) much as possible about the sources and methods of to change the way fish are caught, marketed and harvesting or farming products that are available, and bought. MSC is now a global non-profit organisation then use the general guidance in the seafood factsheets working with fisheries, seafood companies, scientists, to make their choices. conservation groups and the public to promote the best Whilst every effort has been made to give clear and environmental choice in seafood (more information on practical advice, the choice of which species to buy MSC provided below). Using methodology developed or not is often a complex one. Some species may together with the Seafood Choices Alliance be subject to local protection, or may have particular (www.seafoodchoices.com/), WWF has created seasons when they can be harvested—this applies information guides on which fish species to buy, which particularly to some shellfish species. Hoteliers should buyers are encouraged to consult: (www.panda.org) therefore try to find out from their suppliers, or other These include a guide by WWF Hong Kong which aims sources, if and when such restrictions apply. Equally to provide credible information on the environmental important is to ensure that suppliers are reputable and impact of consuming seafood commonly available can vouch for the source and identity of their wares. By in Hong Kong and South China, a region which is asking relevant questions and challenging suppliers over otherwise poorly covered by seafood guides. the origin of their goods, buyers can have a significant influence over how such products are ultimately sourced. Marine Conservation Society (MCS)

For many species, the factsheets also include The MCS Sustainable Seafood Guide (www.fishonline. references to different certifications or rankings from org) allows users to search by the name of the fish

60 2. 1. marine environment.MSC’skeyactivitiesare: bio-diversity, productivityandecologicalprocessesof the fishing practicesaroundtheworld,whilemaintaining appropriate, sociallybeneficial,andeconomicallyviable certify, andpromoteresponsible,environmentally fisheries, retailers,andotherstakeholderstoidentify, rigorous environmentalstandard.TheMSCworkswith sustainable andwell-managedfisheriesthatmeettheir non-profit organisationthatawardscertificationto The MSC(www.msc.org)isanindependent,global, Marine StewardshipCouncil(MSC) Rating5isgiventofishbeavoided. • Ratings2,3and4indicateincreasingcausefor • Rating1isawardedtothemostsustainablyproduced • eat. Eachspeciesisgivenaratingfrom1to5: There arealsolistsofspeciestoavoidand environmental impactsofthefishingmethodsused. on itsstockstatus,fisheriesmanagementandthe they areinterestedin.Eachfishisgivenaratingbased concern; and seafood; certification against theMSCfisheriesstandard; party, independent certificationbodiesoffering Sustainable Fishing); standard (TheMarineMSC Principles andCriteriaFor to operateanaccreditation programme forthird to produceandmaintainafisheriescertification 61 3. Avoid. • Goodalternatives;and • Bestchoices; • according tothreelevels: publishes regionalseafoodguidesthatrankspecies of afishtodetermineitssustainability.Theinitiativealso seafoodwatch.asp) allowsuserstosearchbythename MBA’s SeafoodWatch(www.mbayaq.org/cr/ Monterrey BayAquarium(MBA) MSC-labelled sustainableseafoodtotheirendconsumers. certified seafoodintotheirsupplychainsandpresent retail storesandfoodserviceoutlets–toincorporateMSC sectors –processors,packagers,distributors,suppliers, for LatinAmericanandCaribbeanseafoodcommercial fisheries becomecertified,itwillenhancetheopportunity certification undertheMSCstandard.Asadditional with anumberoftheregion’sfisheriesastheyexplore exporters offishandtheMSChasbeguntowork Latin AmericanandCaribbeancountriesaresignificant 4.

fishing onthewidermarineenvironment. raise awarenessoffisheriesissuesandtheimpact logo comefromacertifiedsustainablesource;and fish consumerthatandproductscarrying to provide a logo scheme that demonstrates to the to providealogoschemethatdemonstratesthe to developaneducationprogrammeinorder

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends The primary motivating factor for wildlife traders is economic, Value from small-scale local income generation to major profit-oriented There is a huge trade in wildlife goods world-wide, with China, business, such as marine fisheries and logging companies. the United States and the European Union making up the Between collectors of wildlife and the ultimate users, any number majority of the global consumer market. Trade is international of middlemen may be involved in the wildlife trade, including and domestic, with large volumes of the latter particularly specialists involved in storage, handling, transport, manufacturing, within developing nations. The European Union (EU) tops the industrial production, marketing and the export and retail list for major importer by value for many wild animal and plant businesses. In fact, most of us are involved in wildlife trade in products, including tropical timber, caviar, reptile skins and live some way, even if it is just as end consumers of wildlife products. reptiles. The legal trade of wildlife products into the EU alone was worth an estimated €100 billion in 2009. Scale In the early 1990s, TRAFFIC estimated the value of legal wildlife The wildlife trade involves hundreds of millions of individual products imported globally to be around US$160 billion per plants and animals from tens of thousands of species. Timber year. Others have estimated that legal wood product exports in and seafood are the most important categories of international 1999 were more than US$132 billion and legal seafood exports wildlife trade, in terms of both volume and value. According to in 1998 around US$50 billion. In 2009, the estimated value of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), global imports was over US$323 billion. more than 145 million tonnes of fish were caught in 2008, from By the very nature of the illegal wildlife trade, it is almost which 38 % (i.e., 55 million tonnes; www.aquafeed.co.uk) impossible to obtain reliable figures, but it is estimated that were traded internationally, and, in 2007, international trade totals run into the hundreds of millions of dollars. The value of of forest products was worth US$257 billion (www.fao.org), illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fisheries alone has giving an average annual growth of 6.6% throughout the last been estimated as between US$10-23 billion per year (MRAG 20 years. In 2009, FAO estimated more than US$100 billion of & FERR, 2008), while the value of the illegal international timber fish were traded and nearly US$200 billion timber. To put this trade has been estimated as US$7 billion per year, and the illegal into perspective, in the same year, the global trade value of tea, wildlife trade, excluding timber and fisheries as US$7.8-10 billion coffee and spices all together was US$24.3 billion. per year (GFI, 2011). According to the Interpol Working Group on TRAFFIC estimates that from 2000–2005, 3.4 million lizard Wildlife Crime, illegal trafficking in wildlife is linked to violence, skins, 2.9 million crocodile skins and 3.4 million snake skins, all corruption, fraud, smuggling, conspiracy, robbery, health species listed under CITES, were imported into the EU, along violations, drug trafficking and weapons trafficking. There is also with 300,000 live snakes for the pet trade. In 2004 alone, the EU significant money laundering and tax evasion involved. imported more than 10 million cubic metres of tropical timber from Africa, South America and Asia, worth US$1.9 billion. Problems Currently, it is estimated that 70,000 species of plants are used As human populations have grown, so has the demand for for medicinal purposes alone. Additionally, approximately 25% wildlife. People in developed countries have become used to of ‘modern’ pharmacy medicines have been developed based a lifestyle that fuels demand for wildlife; they expect to have on the medicinal properties of wild species. Little is known access to a variety of seafoods, leather goods, timbers, about the status of many of these species, although those that medicinal ingredients, textiles, etc. Conversely, extreme poverty have been assessed show a concerning picture (TRAFFIC, of others means they regard wildlife as a means to meet their 2011). International trade in species of conservation concern short-term needs and will trade it for whatever they can get. is monitored by CITES. From 2005 - 2009, CITES recorded Over-exploitation of wildlife is a major concern: an annual average of more than 317,000 live birds, just over 2 million live reptiles, 2.5 million crocodilian skins, 1.5 million lizard • Wildlife is vital to a high proportion of the world’s population. skins, 2.1 million snake skins, 73 tonnes of caviar, 1.1 million People depend directly on wildlife for consumption and as a coral pieces and nearly 20,000 hunting trophies. way of earning cash. However, irresponsible wildlife trade is threatening this resource, and those most affected tend to be the poorest people, in developing nations.

62 © Anthony B. RATH / WWF-Canon • • and manyplant species. invasive species, suchasAmericanMink,Red-eared Terrapin extinctions. Wildlifetradershave purposelyintroducedmany out-compete nativespeciesis amajorcauseofrecent The introductionofinvasivespecies thatpreyuponor in lostearnings. resources sustainablyandcausesmassiveeconomiclosses trade underminesnations’effortstomanagetheirnatural use cyanidetokillfish,orloginprotectedareas),andillegal care howtheydamagetheenvironment(forexample are oftenappalling,operatorsunscrupulousanddonot extinction, conditionsunderwhichwildlifeistransported traded areoftenalreadyhighlythreatenedandindangerof Illegal wildlifetradecausesadditionalproblems.Thespecies 63 Republic inshuttingdownmuch oftheillegalmarket. from TRAFFICassistedthegovernment oftheDominican products forsaletocruiseship tourists.Researchandsupport open illegalmarketsforseaturtle parts,mostlyturtleshell the DominicanRepublic(until recently) hadoneofthelargest Guinea, andtheSolomonIslands.InCaribbeanforexample, Mexico, partsoftheCaribbean,IndonesiaandNew the easternbordersofEuropeanUnion,somemarketsin borders, tradehubsinEast/SouthernAfricaandSoutheast Asia, as “wildlifetradehotspots.”TheseincludeChina’sinternational Areas wherewildlifetradeisparticularlythreateningareknown Hotspots

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends TRAFFIC RECOMMENDS Factsheet 1: Tuna

Tuna are large oceanic fish in the family Scombridae. They • Skipjack (Euthynnus or Katsuwonus pelamis): Found are seasonally migratory, travelling hundreds of miles and throughout the world’s tropical and warm temperate sometimes making trans-oceanic journeys. They may waters, catches of this species account for half the be found in variable numbers in almost every temperate, annual global tuna supply. Also marketed as aku, canned sub-tropical or tropical waters. Compared to some fishes, light tuna, arctic bonito, striped tuna, these fish may be tuna are late to mature and can reach ages of 10-25 years, mixed with other species when processed. It is most depending on the species. Blue-fin tuna are slower growing often sold as canned light tuna (much of which is caught than the smaller albacore, skipjack and yellow-fin tunas. by purse seine), but is sometimes sold fresh and frozen. An adult Atlantic blue-fin can be more than 2 m long and • Yellow-fin (Thunnus albacares): Found throughout weigh 500 kg. All commercially important tunas need warm the world’s tropical and subtropical seas, except the water to breed, although several species are warm-blooded, Mediterranean, this species is also marketed as ahi enabling them to live in cooler waters. They are fast when fresh and frozen, and canned light tuna. It is the swimmers and, unlike most fish whose flesh is white, tuna main species for canning and is caught mainly by purse flesh is pink to dark red. seine fleets. Tuna fisheries include both low-value (less than US$1/kg), high-volume fisheries that supply the canneries, and high- Conservation issues value (more than US$500/kg), low-volume fisheries that All commercially fished species of tuna are listed on the specialize in fresh tuna. There are seven commercially fished IUCN Red List: species, including: • Northern or Atlantic blue-fin (Endangered); • Southern blue-fin (Thunnus maccoyii): Found in • Southern blue-fin (Critically Endangered); temperate and cold seas of the southern hemisphere, these fish migrate to the tropics to spawn. They are • Big-eye (Vulnerable); and fished mainly by Japan, Korea, Australia and New Yellow-fin and albacore tuna are considered Near Zealand, and consumed mainly by Japan. Threatened, and the rest are listed as Least Concern. • Pacific northern blue-fin (Thunnus orientalis): Several conservation issues affect all seven commercially Found mainly in subtropical regions of the north fished tuna species, principally: Pacific Ocean, this species is both fished and Overfishing: World catches of tuna have doubled in the last consumed mainly by Japan. decade. All species, except some stocks of skipjack, are • Northern or Atlantic blue-fin (Thunnus thynnus): This considered fully exploited, over-exploited or depleted. The species is found in the northern half of the Atlantic popularity of sashimi and sushi is one cause of overfishing, Ocean, the Mediterranean and the southern Black Sea. especially of the three species of blue-fin tuna (also known as kuromaguro, atun de aleta azul, thon rouge and horse • Big-eye (Thunnus obesus): Also known as Ahi, Po’onui, Patudo, this is a tropical and subtropical species with mackerel), which are the most valuable fish in the world. separate stocks in the Atlantic, Indian, Western and Overfishing is made worse by the fact that juvenile tunas Central Pacific, and Eastern Pacific Oceans. (e.g. big-eye) are often caught as by-catch in the purse seine fisheries targeted for adult tuna. The long-term effects (Thunnus alalunga): Also known as Tombo, • Albacore on marine ecosystems of removing large fish such as tuna canned white tuna, longfin tunny, and albacora, this is a are not fully understood. highly migratory fish found in all oceans but less common in the tropics. It is available as canned “white” tuna and By-catch of non-target species: There are three main fresh and frozen. fishing methods for catching tuna: purse seine, pole and line, and long-line (which is widely used in the Caribbean).

64 • • according tothegeartype: off thecoastofNorthAmerica.Thelevelby-catchvaries in theMediterraneanandeastAtlantic,byharpoons used, forexampleAtlanticblue-fintunasaretakenintraps In afewhigh-valuefisheries,traditionalmethodsarestill Other methodsincludetrolllines,handlinesanddriftnets.

nets, whichinthe pasthaskilledmillionsof dolphins. beneath them.Bothdolphins andtunaarecaughtinthe tuna (particularlylargeyellow-fin) thattendtoschool by encirclingdolphinsonthe surface inordertonet particularly damagingiftuna schools aretargeted long-liner fleetsaresubjecttostrictby-catchregulations. endangered species.TheU.S.AtlanticandHawaiian the long-termdeclineofsomethesethreatenedor International long-linefleetsarecontributingheavilyto the by-catchofsharks,seaturtles,billfishandseabirds. for catchingalbacore,big-eyeandblue-fin,resultsin Purse-seining, whichisusedforseveralspecies, Long-line fishing,whichisthemostcommonmethod 65 place onthehigh seas,whereitismanaged byregional fished withintheirownwaters, muchtunafishingtakes responsible formanagingtuna stocksthatoccurandare Management problems: •

lack ofnetsensuresthefishery is‘dolphinfree’. and landedindividually.Barblesshooksareused,the which arethenhookedwithajiggingpoleoffthestern and withpoleline,orbyusingbaittoattractthefish, either bytrollingwithartificialluresonornearthesurface have verylittleby-catch.Forexample,albacoreisfished and sharks. young big-eyeandyellow-fintuna,otherpelagicfish aggregating devices’(FADs),theby-catchcaninclude the problem.Iftheyaresetonfloatingobjectsor‘fish slackening netstoallowdolphinsescapereduces large amountsofby-catch,althoughthetechnique safe tuna’below),butpurseseinenetsmaystillcatch This practicehasbeenmuchreduced(see‘dolphin- Hook andline,poleharpoon,trapfishing Althoughindividualcountries are

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends Factsheet 1 continued

fisheries management organisations (RFMOs). In practice, • British Columbia (troll/pole) and Hawaii (troll/pole/hand- however, the advice of these RFMOs is sometimes line/long-line). MBA ranking: Best choice. disregarded. Japan, for example, has caught double its • South Pacific stock (troll). MCS rating: 2 (cause for concern) quota of Southern blue-fin tunas for the last 20 years and some Mediterranean countries appear to have disregarded Big-eye: quotas, too. • Worldwide (troll/pole/line). MBA ranking: Good alternative.

Sea-ranching: The migratory, fast swimming life-style • US Atlantic (troll/pole and line). MBA ranking: Best choice of tuna means that they are not suitable for farming. – although the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) rates However, sea ranching is carried out for blue-fin tuna in the Atlantic stock (troll) fishery 4, or cause for concern the Mediterranean, Mexico and Australia. This involves because populations have not still recovered after fattening wild caught fish in floating cages for a few depletion due to longline fisheries. months to two years. The technique has had significant Skipjack: management issues, with environmental problems and an • Pole and line, and troll fisheries worldwide. MBA ranking: increase in fishing effort, leading to calls for a moratorium Best choice – although the Marine Conservation Society on the practice and better enforcement of minimum size for (MCS) rates this fishery 2, or cause for concern (except catches of juvenile tuna. for pole and line in the Indian Ocean stock, which is rated 3, or cause for concern). Species to choose • Hawaii, hand-line. MBA ranking: Best choice. Albacore: • Hawaii, long-line. MBA ranking: Good alternative (due to • American Albacore Fishing Association (AAFA) pole and strict by-catch regulations). line and troll fisheries in the North and South Pacific. Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified in 2007. Yellow-fin: • Pacific and U.S. Atlantic Ocean, pole and troll. MBA ranking: Best choice.

• U.S. Atlantic Ocean and Hawaii, long-line. MBA ranking: Good alternative.

• Pole and troll worldwide. MBA ranking: Good alternative – although MCS rates this fishery 3, or cause for concern (and 4 for the Indian Ocean stock).

• Hawaii, hand-line. MBA ranking: Good alternative - the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) rates this fishery 3, or © Michel GUNTHER / WWF-Canon cause for concern.

‘Dolphin-safe or –friendly’ canned skipjack, albacore and yellow-fin: This is tuna caught using methods that do not involve the deliberate hunting, capture and death of dolphins, e.g. trolling, pole or hand-line, or with purse seine nets, according to a strict set of standards including:

• No intentional chasing, netting or encirclement of dolphins;

• No use of drift gill nets to catch tuna;

66 • • • • • • • Species ofparticularconcern turtles andmarinemammals. Low levelsofby-catchandlowinteractionwithmarine in theAtlantic: Purse seinefisheriesforskipjackandyellow-fintuna • • •

rating: 5(avoid);MBAranking:Avoid. species reliesoncaptureofjuvenilesfromthewild. ranking: Avoid. Avoid. (avoid); MBAranking:Avoid. the casepriortofilletingandprocessing. virtually impossibleforconsumerstoknowifthatwas legally andover30kginsizemaybesustainable,itis on board. vessels ofacertainsizetohaveanindependentobserver boat wells,orinprocessingstoragefacilities;and during netsets; Ocean stock;long-lineskipjack notrated). (MCS ratingforlong-lineyellowfin 4and5fortheIndian and U.S.Atlanticforbothspecies): (Cause forconcern). the southAtlanticandPacific(includingHawaii)as tombo orahi. light brown.ItisoftenmarketedunderitsHawai’ianname, other albacoreanditsmeatispinkishredinsteadof MBA ranking:Avoid. Long-line caughtalbacoreintheSouthPacific: the U.S.Atlantic,whichisconsideredaGoodalternative. Eastern Pacific;MBAranking:Avoidforallstocksexcept and CentralPacificstock,4totheAtlanticstock3 depending onthestock;5(Avoid)referringtoWestern Long-line caughtskipjackand yellow-fin(exceptHawaii Long-line caughtBig-eye: Farmed orranchedblue-fintunas: Pacific NorthernBlue-fin: Southern Blue-fin: Northern orAtlanticBlue-fin: Fishing tripsintheeasterntropicalPacificOceanby No mixingofdolphin-safewithothertunainindividual No accidentalkillingorseriousinjurytoanydolphins

MCS rating:5(avoid);MBAranking: This fish is usually larger than Thisfishisusuallylargerthan MCS rates

MCS rating: from 3 to 5 MCS rating:from3to5 MCS rating:5(avoid);MBA Whilstindividualscaught albacore from albacore from Farmingofthese

MBA ranking:Avoid. MCS rating:5

MCS

67 Commission fortheConservationofSouthernBlue-finTuna: www.blueocean.org/seafood Blue OceanInstituteGuidetoFriendlySeafood: http://www.amcs.org.au/ Australian MarineConservationSociety: Australia’s SustainableSeafoodGuide–availablefromthe Sources offurtherinformation more information,seewww.oceansalive.orgorwww.edf.org as theseinvolveyoungertunawithlowermercurylevels.For mercury. Thereisnohealthadvisoryfortroll/pole-caughtfish caught tuna,andforallcannedduetoelevatedlevelsof organisation, hasissuedahealthadvisoryforalllong-line- Environmental Defense,aU.S.non-governmental recommendations ontheproducts discussedhere. advised tochecklocalandinternationalregulations 2012, itmayhavechangedsincethen.Hoteliersare believed tobecorrectatthetimeofgoingpressin While theinformationpresentedinthisfactsheetwas Switzerland: http://www.panda.org/ Netherlands, Norway,Poland,SouthAfrica,Spain,Sweden, Finland, France,Germany,HongKong,Indonesia, WWF SeafoodGuides–availableforBelgium,Denmark, Seafood ChoicesAlliance:www.seafoodchoices.com org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp Monterrey BayAquariumSeafoodWatch:www.mbayaq. Marine StewardshipCouncil:http://eng.msc.org/ www.fishonline.org Marine ConservationSociety’sSustainableSeafoodGuide: International andWWFAustralia. failures intheglobalmanagementofbig-eyetuna.TRAFFIC Lack, M.(2007).Withaneyetothefuture:addressing dolphinSafeTuna/consumer/ “dolphin-friendly or-safe”tuna:www.earthisland.org/ Earth IslandInstitute’sinformationoncertified www.ccsbt.org

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends TRAFFIC RECOMMENDS Factsheet 2: Salmon © Kevin SCHAFER / WWF-Canon

Salmon spawn in fresh water rivers. The young migrate to quantities of these fish are exported from Russia to China sea after one to three years and return after up to three for processing. years at sea to spawn in their natal rivers. • Coho or silver salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch): Pacific salmon occur from California north along the Pacific This species, which averages 5.5 kg (12 pounds), is coast to the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean waters adjacent to caught from Oregon to Alaska and accounts for less than Alaska, and throughout the far eastern waters of Russia and 10 percent of U.S. wild salmon catches in most years. Japan. There are five species of Pacific salmon: • Sockeye or red salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka): • Chinook or king salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): These fish make up the second-largest, and most The largest Pacific species, these fish weigh an valuable, wild salmon fishery in North America, with 75 average of five-to-eight kg (11-18 pounds), live four to percent of the global catch originating in Alaskan waters. nine years, and are found from the Yukon River in Alaska A major sockeye fishery in Russia supplies Japan and to central California. other Asian countries.

• Chum, dog or keta salmon (Oncorhynchus keta): • Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha): This species weighs an average of 3.5 kg (eight pounds), The most abundant species, pink salmon usually account and is found in Japan, Russia and along the Pacific coast for more than half of the U.S. commercial wild salmon of North America from Washington state to Alaska. Large catch. Large quantities are exported from Russia to China for processing.

68 markets inAsia,EuropeandNorth America. stocks. ThenortheastPacific fisheriessupplycommercial as theymixwithorarefound closetosalmonfrom‘healthy’ thus maynotbefished;howevertheyareregularlycaught Endangered undertheU.S.SpeciesActand Units (ESUs),wheresalmonarelistedasThreatenedor there aresome30locationscalledEvolutionarilySignificant management. Thus,inCaliforniaandthePacificNorthwest, are oftencaughtatthesametime,whichcomplicates from afewviablelargeruns.Salmondifferentareas Oregon andWashingtonaresignificantlydepleted,apart Chinook, coho,sockeyeandpinksalmonstocksinCalifornia, dam construction,deforestationandurbandevelopment. freshwater andspawningrearinghabitatscausedby declined dramaticallyduetooverfishinganddamagetheir Pacific salmon: habitat damage. sea floor;thesemethodshavelowby-catchandcauselittle trolling gear(orhook-and-linegear),whichrarelytouchthe used atseaincludesdriftandsetgillnets,purseseines, is currentlytheprimarythreattotheirsurvival.Thegear makes themparticularlyvulnerabletohabitatloss,which The dependenceofsalmononspecificfreshwaterareas Conservation issues U.S., andseveralAsiancountriesincludingJapan. and coho)isfarmedinCanada,Norway,theUK,Chile, salmon isAtlanticsalmon.Pacific(mainlychinook percent ofallfarmedsalmon.About89 the UKaremainproducers,togetheraccountingfor86 (some 1.4millionmetrictonsannually).Norway,Chileand About 60percentoftheglobalsalmonmarketisfarmed very popular. mainly atsea,althoughsportfishingforsalmoninriversis market. Commercialfishingofwildsalmontakesplace North AmericaandtheFarEast,withJapanlargest There isavastdemandforsalmoninEurope, salar The maincommercialspeciesof , whichoccursthroughoutEuropeanwaters.

Populations ofPacificsalmonhave Atlantic salmon

is Salmo

69 salmon farminginclude: with themforfoodandspawninggrounds.Theimpactsof hatchery-reared fishcanthreatenwildstocksbycompeting be locatedinornearwildsalmonruns,andescapesof environmental problemsinmanyareas.Hatcheriesmay Farmed salmon: the NorthEastAtlanticasathreatenedanddecliningspecies. Convention fortheProtectionofMarineEnvironment migration routes.AtlanticsalmonislistedbytheOSPAR overfishing, pollution,aquacultureandimpedimentsto throughout muchoftheirnativerange,duetohabitatloss, Atlantic salmon: operations. systems inthisstate;theyare alsoaugmentedbyhatchery healthy, partlyduetothecomparatively pristinefreshwater product isbecomingmorewidely available.Populationsare mainly toEuropeandtheU.S., whilethefreshandsmoked product isexported,mainlytoJapan.Cannedsalmongoes chinook salmon).About75percentofthefreshorfrozen 25 percentsockeye,withtheremainderchum,cohoand U.S. Pacificsalmon(over50percentispinksalmon,and Alaskan salmonfisheriescomprisethevastmajorityof Pacific salmon(allfivespecies)fromAlaskanwaters,U.S.: WILD CAUGHT Species tochoose • • • • •

currently representone-thirdoftheglobalfishharvest. farmed salmonexacerbatesoverfishing;fishmealandoil altering theoverallpoolofgeneticdiversity;and interbreed withlocalwildstocksofthesamepopulation, fish, andbetweenfarms; can subsequentlynegativelyaffecthumanhealth; pesticides tocontroldiseasethatspreadseasilyinfarms and wastethatdamagetheseabeditscommunities; The useoffishmealandfishoilfromwildtofeed Escaped farmedsalmoncompetewithwildfishand Viruses andparasitestransferbetweenfarmedwild The excessiveuseofantibiotics,antifoulantsand Pollution fromchemicalsandexcessnutrientsfood Marine StewardshipCouncil(MSC) certified StocksofAtlanticsalmonarethreatened Salmonhatcheriesandfarmshavecaused in

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends Factsheet 2 continued

2000, and recertified in 2007. MBA – Best Choice, MCS general, but farmed salmon certified as organic or from 2 (cause of concern). Note: there are concerns about the well-managed farms (see above) is considered a very long-term health of wild salmon populations in California, good choice. Washington and Oregon. In particular, the chinook fishery in California was closed in 2008 due to a recent population Sources of further information crash (Californian chinook is marketed widely in California Australia’s Sustainable Seafood Guide – available from the and exported to other parts of the U.S., Japan, Germany Australian Marine Conservation Society: and the UK). http://www.amcs.org.au

FARMED Blue Ocean Institute Guide to Ocean Friendly Seafood: MCS advises choosing Atlantic salmon certified by the Soil www.blueocean.org/seafood Association – a membership charity in the U.K. campaigning Clarke, S. (2007). Trading tails: Russian Salmon fisheries for planet-friendly food and farming- as organic, and/or and East Asian markets. TRAFFIC East Asia. by the RSPCA/SSPCA (Royal/Sacramento Society for the Knapp, G., C. Roheim and J. Anderson. 2007. The Great Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Freedom Food labelling Salmon Run: Competition Between Wild and Farmed scheme, which focuses on improving the welfare of farm Salmon. TRAFFIC North America. Washington, D.C.: World animals reared for food. Wildlife Fund. WWF advises choosing salmon from farms that: Marine Conservation Society’s Sustainable Seafood Guide: • are located away from protected areas, important wild www.fishonline.org salmon rivers, and other threatened wildlife; Marine Stewardship Council: http://eng.msc.org/ • have a good history of preventing and minimizing the Monterrey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch: www.mbayaq. impacts of escapes; org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp • have low levels of disease; Seafood Choices Alliance: www.seafoodchoices.com • minimize the use of antifouling chemicals through the WWF Seafood Guides – available for Belgium, Denmark, use of double nets and mechanical cleaning (followed by Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, water treatment) or cleaner fish/wrasse; Netherlands, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, • fall under a traceability scheme; Switzerland: • do not use fish meal/fish oil feed ingredients from http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/marine/ overexploited, depleted or recovering fish stocks; and our_solutions/sustainable_fishing/sustainable_seafood/ seafood_guides/index.cfm • use feed that maximizes the use of marine by-products (i.e. overall compositions of fishmeal less than 35 percent, WWF Salmon Aquaculture Dialogue: fish oil less than 27 percent, and a feed conversion ratio www.worldwildlife.org/aquadialogues less than 1.15). While the information presented in this factsheet was Species of particular concern believed to be correct at the time of going to press in 2012, it may have changed since then. Hoteliers are • Wild-caught Atlantic salmon: MCS rating: 5 (Avoid). advised to check local and international regulations and • Non-organic farmed Atlantic or Pacific salmon: recommendations on the products discussed here. The MBA recommends avoiding farmed salmon in

70 71

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends TRAFFIC RECOMMENDS Factsheet 3: Molluscs

Hundreds of mollusc species are consumed as seafood. SCALLOPS Most species are fast-growing and produce large numbers There are over 360 species of scallops, which are distributed of young, and thus potentially can withstand considerable broadly throughout the world. They are popular in many harvesting. The three main groups involved in the countries, typically served cooked in or out of the shell or international seafood trade are: raw as sushi, and available fresh or frozen. • Bivalves – filter feeding molluscs with two shells, e.g. Sea scallops are an economically important species in mussels, scallops, oysters; the Atlantic Ocean, with fisheries in the United States and • Gastropods – snail-like animals, e.g. Queen conch; and Canada. The majority consumed locally are wild-caught.

• Cephalopods – soft-bodied, mobile animals, Scallops are farmed in 20 countries, the main producers e.g. squid, octopus. being China and Japan, followed by Chile and Peru. About 15 species of scallop are farmed and account for some 60 Although some species are taken from the wild, molluscs percent of world scallop production. Farmed scallops are are particularly important as they make up about 25 percent available year-round, but fresh scallops may be limited in of the world’s aquaculture production. China is the top specific regions for food safety reasons. producer, with just over 80 percent of world production, followed by Japan, the U.S., France, Thailand, Spain, New Zealand and Italy. Most molluscs used as seafood are Conservation issues bivalves, which are filter feeders that obtain their nutrition by The sea scallop population in the North Atlantic is relatively removing suspended particles from water. This makes them healthy and abundant and is well-managed, but the highly suitable for farming as they do not require feeding. population in the Mid-Atlantic region (North Carolina to New Wild spat or juveniles are collected in areas of natural York) is overfished. spatfalls or produced in hatcheries, and then ‘grown-out’ Scallops are usually caught by dredging, and to a lesser to marketable size on a variety of surfaces (trays, ropes, extent trawling, both methods that cause severe damage to rafts, etc.), either on the bottom or suspended in the water. the sea floor, and may result in by-catch of marine turtles Bivalve farming has a low impact on the marine environment and fish. Closed areas, gear modifications, and catch limits as there is no feeding with fishmeal or fish oil and hence no can be used to reduce fish by-catch, but high numbers pressure on other fisheries, and no increased nutrient input of loggerhead turtles are still injured and killed in the Mid- to coastal waters. Bivalves may even make surrounding Atlantic. Hand-collection by divers is the preferred method waters cleaner by filtering out nutrients and organic matter. for harvesting wild scallops, since diving is restricted by Fertilizers, antibiotics and other chemicals are seldom used. depth to less than 30 m, which means that populations in There are, however, a few potential negative impacts to deeper water are protected and act as breeding stock. In mollusc farming, including effects on the nutrient balance Europe, scallops hand-collected by divers are generally of the seabed, introduction of disease in wild populations larger and of better quality than dredged scallops. and escape of non-native species that may out-compete The spat for farmed scallops are collected from the wild or wild stock. produced in hatcheries and transplanted to sites in coastal In the UK, the Soil Association has developed standards waters. They are either suspended in the water-column to certify several bivalves as organic, including mussels, (for harvesting by hand) or laid on the seabed for grow-out scallops and clams. Certification will provide assurance (harvested by dredging, which can damage the seabed). The that farming causes minimum negative impacts on use of wild scallop spat does not appear to harm natural the surrounding environment, that wastes are re-used scallop populations, because it is transplanted to locations and recycled wherever possible, and that harvesting is that are generally superior to those where it would settle environmentally-friendly (e.g. no dredging for scallops). naturally. However, in China the abundance of scallops in

72 73

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends © Hartmut JUNGIUS / WWF-Canon the wild is generally low, and wild spat collection may have • Diver-caught Mexican Sea Scallops (Nodipecten a negative impact. subnodosus). MBA ranking: Best choice.

• Diver-caught Mexican Bay scallops (Argopecten Species to choose ventricosus). MBA ranking: Good alternative.

WILD-CAUGHT SCALLOPS FARMED SCALLOPS • Patagonian scallop (Zygochlamys patagonica). Marine • Europe. Responsibly managed farmed scallops (e.g. King Stewardship Council (MSC) certified in 2006. The fishery Scallops), and those certified as organic. is mainly in Argentinean waters, but the product is • Farmed Bay scallops (Argopecten irradians). MBA available “frozen-at-sea” in Europe, the U.S. and Canada. ranking: Best choice when produced by off-bottom • Wild-caught hand-collected scallops in Europe: techniques. On-bottom, dredged scallops are considered - Atlantic scallop (Placoplecten magellicanus). a Good Alternative. MCS rating: 3 (cause for concern), MBA ranking: Good • Farmed scallops from China. WWF Hong Kong: alternative. recommended. - Queen scallop (Aequipecten opercularis). MCS rating: 3 (cause for concern). Species of particular concern

• Wild-caught Giant Sea Scallop from northeast U.S. and • Wild-caught scallops harvested by dredging, such as Canada. MBA ranking: Good choice. those from the U.S. Mid-Atlantic.

• Wild-caught Australia scallop. WWF Hong Kong: • King scallop (Pecten maximus). MCS rating: 4 (cause for recommended. concern).

74 Factsheet 3 continued

OYSTERS oysters to non-native areas can introduce diseases, and Oysters are filter-feeding bivalves found in most of concerns are growing about the impacts of genetically the world’s oceans, except near polar extremes. They altered oysters being raised in the wild. reproduce quickly and prolifically, but overharvesting, habitat destruction, and the introduction of diseases have Species to choose severely reduced their populations in the wild. Wild-caught • Farmed Pacific oyster: MCS rating: 1 (good); MBA oysters are not very common, and farmed oysters account ranking: Best choice. for 97 percent of the world’s total oyster consumption (4.6 • Farmed oysters from China: WWF Hong Kong: million tonnes annually). China produces over 80 percent recommended. Choose products from farms that use off- of the world’s farmed oysters but these are for domestic bottom culture techniques and hand-harvesting, rather consumption. The other main producers of farmed oysters than dredging. are Korea, Japan, France and the United States. The majority of farmed oysters (97 percent) are Pacific oysters • Wild-caught U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Canada oysters: (Crassostrea gigas), which originated in northeastern Asia. MBA ranking: Good choice. These oysters reach market size in three to four years, compared to five to six years for some other species. MUSSELS Some 90 percent of world mussel production is from Conservation issues aquaculture, and the main producers are China, Spain, Pollution of nearshore waters and destruction of habitat Italy, Thailand, France and New Zealand. The United States have made wild oysters scarce in some areas. In addition, produces less than 0.1 percent of global aquaculture dredge-harvesting of oysters can damage seafloor habitat. production and relies on imports primarily from Canada The European flat or native oyster (Ostrea edulis) is depleted and New Zealand. Mussels are the most common species in the wild throughout most of its range. Areas once noted of shellfish farmed in the UK, where a number of species for their large natural beds are now being used for oyster are used. Farmed mussels are available year-round, but farming. fresh mussels may be limited in specific regions for food Most oyster farming operations are privately owned and safety reasons. well-managed. Oysters are bred in hatcheries and then grown on in intertidal waters, usually in semi-rigid plastic Conservation issues mesh bags, supported by steel trestles or placed in Farming methods for mussels are generally environmentally elongated cages suspended between a series of poles sound, as suspension methods are usually used. Spat for submerged in seawater during high tide. Larger oysters off-bottom culture, which accounts for about 85 percent of may be re-laid loose onto the seabed where there is firm production, are normally captured from the water column gravel ground. The best farming areas are sheltered sites with spat collectors. In on-bottom culture, spat are dredged with some mixing of marine and fresh water. Pacific oyster from natural sites and placed on the seabed, and after producers in temperate areas rely on spat from oyster grow-out are harvested by dredging, which can damage hatcheries, as this species generally does not spawn in the seabed. Increased organic matter concentration, lower cool waters, although recent warmer weather is inducing redox potential, and decreased benthic diversity may be reproduction. The native European oyster is also farmed. found beneath and around the edges of suspended mussel Manual harvesting methods cause less disturbance to aquaculture sites, but this tends to be relatively minor. sediment than mechanical methods, but are less suited Escape of mussels is uncommon. Because diseases are Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends to deeper water for practical reasons. The introduction of rare, mussel producers are less affected by outbreaks than

75 Factsheet 3 continued

other bivalve producers, and so antibiotics are rarely used. Abalone is farmed in California under strict regulations to Best Management Practices (BMPs) for mussel farming control disease and pest problems (sabellid worm and have been developed in Canada and New Zealand. withering foot syndrome). The farm-raised abalone have a maximum harvesting size of four-inch long shells; abalone Species to choose larger than this are likely to be illegally sourced. Abalone are fed on algae, although a manufactured feed is also used. An • Farmed worldwide: MBA ranking: Best. Seek out abalone aquaculture industry is developing around Europe, mussels that have been grown in suspended culture mainly in Ireland where H. discus hannai and H. tuberculata (MCS rating: 1 (good)), rather than on the seabed (MCS have been imported, and there are prospective aquaculture rating: 2 (cause of concern)). developments in France, England, Spain and Scotland.

ABALONE (ormer (France), perlemoen (South Africa)) Species to choose Abalone are herbivorous gastropods in the genus Haliotis, found throughout much of the world (including Europe, • Wild-caught abalone from Australia. WWF Hong Kong: South Africa, along the Pacific coast of North America, recommended. Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand). They are highly • Farmed Red, Green and Pink Abalone from the U.S.. prized, particularly in Asia where the meat may fetch up to MBA ranking: Best choice. US$1,000/kg during Chinese New Year. Wild and farmed • Farmed abalone from China. WWF Hong Kong: abalone from Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, recommended. Japan and China fulfil most of the global demand. There are commercial fisheries for Haliotis tuberculata in France Species of particular concern and Spain, and a small abalone aquaculture industry in California, with most of the product exported to Asia. • Wild-caught abalone from South Africa and California —until effective measures to tackle excessive poaching Conservation issues are put in place. Many wild populations of abalone have been depleted QUEEN CONCH due to over-harvesting. Abalone stocks have plummeted in South Africa, where most of the abalone harvested is A large marine gastropod mollusc found only in the exported to East Asia, particularly Hong Kong. Continued Caribbean, queen conch (Strombus gigas) is slow-moving illegal harvesting and trade could have a severe impact on and easy to pick up by hand, or with simple fishing gear the survival of the species. All five major abalone fisheries (poke poles). Conchs are especially vulnerable to fishing on the Pacific coast of California are depleted as a result of during the spawning season, when they gather in large over 50 years of heavy fishing (both sport and commercial), numbers. They are long-lived and mature late, making them poaching, predation by an increasing population of sea vulnerable to fishing pressure. otters, pollution of mainland habitat, disease and inadequate The queen conch is distributed throughout the Caribbean, wild stock management. In an effort to rebuild stocks, from Florida (US) to the northern coast of South America. It the commercial fishery was closed in 1997, although a is one of the seven species of the family Strombidae, and it sport fishery remains open north of San Francisco. The is known by various names throughout its range, including: French abalone fishery is regulated by a permit and quota Botuto or Guarura (Venezuela); Cambombia (Panama); system, but this is poorly enforced. Stocks in Brittany have Cambute (Costa Rica); Caracol abulon (Guatemala); Caracol only partially recovered since a severe bacterial disease gigante (Honduras); Caracol pala (Colombia); Caracol devastated them in 1996/7. In Spain, the fishery has had to rosado (Mexico); Carrucho (Puerto Rico); Cobo (Cuba); close on at least two occasions due to pollution. and Lambi (Hispaniola and French Antilles). They primarily

76 to theincreasedinternationalanddomesticdemandfor developed onlyinthelastfewdecades,mainlyresponse centuries, however,alargecommercialfisheryhas Queen conch(conch)hasbeenharvestedforfood currently classifiedasthreatenedbyIUCN. in the1994IUCNRedListofThreatenedSpecies,itisnot and althoughitwasclassifiedasCommerciallyThreatened (with someexemptionsonshellstradeexplainedbelow), that CITESpermitsbeissuedforallcommercialexports included inAppendixIIofCITESsince1992,whichrequires occur indepthsofupto100m.Thespecieshasbeen inhabit sandyseafloorsinclean,shallowwaters,butalso 77 commercial andrecreationalfisheriesinanumberof consequently thetotalortemporaryclosureofboth has ledtopopulationdeclines,stockcollapsesand Over thepastfewdecades,intensivefishingpressure for centuries. been animportantculturalreferenceforindigenouspeople a uniquelyCaribbeanfoodsoldtotouristsandconchhas of theCaribbean,dishessuchasconchfrittershavebeen considered aby-productofthemeattrade.Insomeparts used andtradedascuriotouristsouvenirs,butare fishery resourcesintheCaribbean.Theshellsarealso the meat.Today,speciesisoneofmostimportant

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends Factsheet 3 continued

locations, for example in Bermuda, Cuba, Colombia, Florida, Mexico, the Netherlands Antilles, the Virgin Islands, Venezuela, and recently Honduras and the Dominican Republic. Up until 2003, available information suggested that the majority of S. gigas populations had continued to decline since the species was listed in CITES, and in some areas, populations were so low that it was a serious risk to local fisheries. Overfishing for domestic and international trade is the primary factor for these population declines, although pollution and habitat loss may also be a factor. The use of scuba and hookah gear (compressor diving) has become widespread and as near-shore areas are increasingly overfished, former deep-water refugia (>20 m) have also become subject to intense exploitation in some areas. In a number of countries, the status of local conch populations is either poorly known or not known at all. With the exception of Haiti and the Turks and Caicos Islands (GB), all conch range States are Parties to CITES, and almost all of them have imposed some regulations relating to the management and/or conservation of the conch fisheries. The most common measures include minimum size restrictions, closed seasons, closed areas or no-take zones, harvest quotas or daily bag limits and gear restrictions. Harvest and/or export quotas are used by various countries, as well as daily bag limits. However, enforcement is poor in some countries and regulations are often ignored. Farming has been attempted, but to date has not been commercially successful, although there is a farm in the Turks and Caicos. For many of the above reasons, the conch was selected for a detailed review by CITES that resulted in the Dominican Republic and Honduras stopping –in 2003- the export of conch. They also committed themselves to fully implementing a recovery programme, which includes more rigorous population surveys and more effective regulation of the national fishing industry. In addition, and as a result of the review, CITES asked all member governments of CITES to suspend the importation of conch from Haiti until it improved the species management. Trade suspensions had also been in place for Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, and Trinidad and Tobago. © Michel GUNTHER / WWF-Canon

78 which isnotnecessarily duetooverfishing. Some fisherieshaveexperienced largefluctuationsincatch, ocean conditionssuchastemperature andpreyavailability. varies overtimeandaccording tolocation,asitdependson them highlyresilienttofishing pressure.Butabundance Squid growquicklyandreproduce atayoungage,making ‘squid’ byexportingcountries. for squidsoldasseafood;mostislabelledsimply difficult todeterminespeciesnameandfisheryoforigin concerns aboutpossibleoverfishing.Furthermore,itisoften little ornomanagementandunreliablefisherydata,raise fluctuations ofabundance.Thesefactors,combinedwith of generationsandhighlyerraticrecruitment,showwide Squid haveshortlifecycles(sixto18months),littleoverlap Conservation issues development forcephalopodshastakenplace. both squidandoctopusoccurintheCaribbean,littlefishery and theMediterranean.Althoughcommercialspeciesof widespread speciesfoundthroughouttheNortheastAtlantic There isamajorfisheryinAtlanticsquid( solely fromtheIndianOcean. nearly 80percentofU.S.squidimports.Indialands Taiwan, India,SouthKoreaandThailandaccountingfor More than30countriesorterritoriesfishsquid,withChina, argentinus ( commercially, twospecies,theJapaneseflyingsquid Although almost100speciesofsquidarefished SQUID ORCALAMARI to higherlevels,consumersshould“Avoid”thisspecies. fisheries canbereliablymanagedandconchpopulationsreturn The MonterreyBayAquariumrecommendsthat,untilconch CITES (www.cites.org). Grenada stillfaceatradesuspensionasrecommendedby suspension recommendationhasbeenlifted.OnlyHaitiand still workingtocomplywiththem,butforwhichCITEStrade of meat),asopposedtotheDominicanRepublic,whichis and currentlywithanannualquotaforexporting210,000kg mendations, Hondurashasresumeditsexports(since2006; Currently, andaftercomplyingwithallCITESrecom- Todarodes pacificus ), accountforoverhalftheworld’ssquidharvest. ) andtheArgentineshortfinsquid Loligo forbesi ), a (Illex 79 • Species tochoose areas whereotherspecieshavedeclinedduetooverfishing. of concernas,increasingly,squidarebecomingthetargetin for marinemammalssuchasspermwhales.Thisisamatter both predatorandpreyareanimportantsourceoffood unknown. Squidplayanimportantroleinmarinefoodwebsas high seasarenotmanaged,andstockabundanceislargely trawls, bothofwhichhavelowby-catch.Squidfisheriesonthe In internationalwaters,squidismostlycaughtusingjigsor • • Species tochoose weight of750grammesforcommonoctopus. size forthelesseroctopus,butthereisaminimumlanding management inplace,exceptanEUminimumlanding to stockassessmentorquotacontrols;thereisnofishery enter instinctivelyinordertohide.Octopusarenotsubject fisheries. Theyarealsotakeninearthenwarepotswhich octopus ( which isalsopresentintheCaribbeansea,and In Europe,boththecommonoctopus( laying eggs,guardingthemanddyingoncetheeggshatch. behaviour ofsquid,octopusreproductioninvolvesfemales old whensexuallymature.Unlikethemassspawning Octopus growrapidlyandareprobablythreetofouryears OCTOPUS • • •

alternative; WWFHongKong:,recommended. Wild-caught squid,worldwide. MBA ranking:Goodalternative. Wild caughtoctopus (cause forconcern). Pot andtrapcaughtoctopus species. ranking: Goodalternative. Wild-caught jumbosquid,GulfofCalifornia. ranking: Goodalternative. Trawl-caught shortfinsquid,U.S.AtlanticOcean. ranking: Bestchoice. Trawl-caught longfinsquid,U.S.AtlanticOcean. Eledone cirrhosa fromHawaiiandGulfofCalifornia ) aretakenasby-catchin

MBA ranking:Good Octopus vulgaris

MCS rating:3 the lesser the lesser

MBA

trawl trawl

MBA

they they ) .

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends Factsheet 3 continued

Species of particular concern Species to choose

• The MCS recommends avoiding eating baby octopus, • Burry Inlet Cockle Fishery (Cerastoderma edule): A as they will have had no chance to breed. traditional fishery in South Wales where cockles are gathered by hand-raking and sieving and sold locally • Demersal otter trawl and beam trawl caught octopus to UK retailers, although some are exported to Spain, species. MCS rating: 4 (cause for concern). Holland, France and Portugal. MSC certified. • Wild caught common octopus. MBA ranking: Avoid. • Wild-caught soft shell/steamers (longneck, fryer), U.S. • Cuttlefish from the South China Sea. Atlantic Ocean. MBA ranking: Best choice. WWF Hong Kong: Avoid. • Wild-caught Atlantic surf clams, U.S. Atlantic Ocean. OTHER MOLLUSCS MBA ranking: Good alternative. A vast array of other molluscs are used in seafood. Clams, • Wild-caught hard clams (little neck, cherrystone, a generic name used for a wide diversity of bivalves, are chowder), U.S. Atlantic Ocean. particularly popular. The most common wild-caught clams MBA ranking: Good alternative. in the eastern U.S. are the Atlantic surf clam (used in soups • Wild-caught ocean quahog (black clams), and chowders), ocean quahog, softshell clam and hard U.S. Atlantic Ocean. MBA ranking: Good alternative. clam. The population of Atlantic surf clams is healthy and • Wild-caught giant clam/geoduck, U.S., Canadian abundant, but they are commonly harvested by hydraulic Pacific: MBA ranking: Best choice. dredging, which uses pressurized water jets to wash clams out of the sediment and results in considerable damage to • Farmed clams (steamers, littlenecks, cockles). the seabed. A cockle fishery has been certified by the MSC MBA ranking: Best choice. (see below). Many species are farmed. • Farmed clams, China. WWF Hong Kong: recommended. / WWF-Cannon ROGGO © Michel

80 Seafood Choices Alliance:www.seafoodchoices.com www.mbayaq.org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp Monterrey BayAquariumSeafood Watch: Marine StewardshipCouncil: http://eng.msc.org/ www.fishonline.org Marine ConservationSociety’ssustainableseafoodguide: industry inEurope.J.ShellfishResearch. Huchette, S.M.H.andClavier,J.2004.Statusoftheormer www.blueocean.org/seafood Blue OceanInstituteGuidetoFriendlySeafood: http://www.amcs.org.au/ Australian MarineConservationSociety: Australia’s SustainableSeafoodGuide–availablefromthe Sources offurtherinformation

81 recommendations ontheproducts discussedhere. advised tochecklocaland international regulationsand 2012, itmayhavechanged sincethen.Hoteliersare believed tobecorrectatthe timeofgoingtopressin While theinformationpresentedinthisfactsheetwas Sweden, Switzerland:http://www.panda.org/ Netherlands, Norway,Poland,SouthAfrica,Spain, Finland, France,Germany,HongKong,Indonesia, WWF SeafoodGuides–availableforBelgium,Denmark, www.worldwildlife.org/aquadialogues WWF MolluscAquacultureDialogue: www.worldwildlife.org/aquadialogues WWF AbaloneAquacultureDialogue:

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends TRAFFIC RECOMMENDS Factsheet 4: Crustaceans

Numerous crustaceans are popular as seafood, ranging southern shrimp, mainly in the genus Penaeus (50 percent from large lobsters to small shrimp, and the fisheries of the global harvest); and farmed shrimp (25 percent of the themselves are equally diverse, involving various gears global harvest). Freshwater species are also often used but and ranging from small-scale, local enterprises to large are not addressed in this factsheet. commercial industries. Few fisheries have been fully About ten species are farmed, most of which are warm- assessed for their sustainability, particularly the small-scale water penaeid shrimp, because of their quick growth and ones and those in developing countries. This fact sheet large size. Some Penaeid species can adapt to water much provides a brief guide to some of the more popular species less saline than seawater, which means they can be farmed involved, including: in brackish and freshwater systems. These include the • Prawn and shrimp; Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei), which is farmed widely in western countries, the Chinese white shrimp (P. • Lobster; and chinensis); and the tiger prawn (P. monodon), which reaches • Crab. harvest weight in four months and is widely cultivated Information on North American and European crustacean in Asia. All these species grow fast, can be cultured at fisheries is more easily available (see seafood guides listed high densities, and have become the mainstay of shrimp under Sources of further information). We recommend hotels farming worldwide. Developing countries account for 99 and buyers in the Caribbean to try and find out as much percent of production of farmed shrimp, most coming from as possible about the sources and methods of harvesting China, followed by India, Thailand, Indonesia, Ecuador, or farming products that are available, and then use the Brazil, Bangladesh and Vietnam. The majority is exported general guidance in the factsheets on seafood to make to the United States, European Union and Japan. Farming their choices (for example, choose locally caught seafood methods range from simple ponds in coastal areas to that is harvested in an environmentally sound way or uses high-tech inland systems that filter and re-circulate their good farming techniques, such as minimising impacts on water. These methods can be divided into three categories: mangroves and other important habitats). extensive/traditional, semi-intensive and intensive.

PRAWN AND SHRIMP Conservation issues The names prawn and shrimp tend to be used Many stocks of shrimp have been overfished. Determining interchangeably, although, technically, shrimp are which products are sustainable is made difficult by the fact distinguished from prawns by the structure of the gills. that the global shrimp market makes no distinction between In Europe (particularly the UK), Australia and other warm-water and cold-water shrimp, or between farm-raised Commonwealth countries, prawn is used more often than or wild-caught, and the confusion of common names makes shrimp, which is the more common term in North America. it difficult to know the origin of a product (e.g. imported To add further confusion, some species are marketed under shrimp is sometimes repacked as domestic product). In many different names (e.g. the circumpolar species Pandalus some countries, there is now a requirement for food items to borealis may be called pink shrimp, northern shrimp, be labelled with their country of origin. northern pink shrimp, Pacific pink shrimp or salad shrimp). Northern prawn or shrimp: These are small (maximum There is a huge and growing market for shrimp. About 40 length about 15 cm), short-lived, fast growers that produce shrimp and prawn species have commercial value. They many young. The status of stocks is generally unknown can be categorised into three main types: wild-caught and subject to large natural fluctuations. In North America, cold-water or northern shrimp in the family Pandalidae species such as pink and northern shrimp are typically (25 percent of the global harvest); warm-water, tropical or caught by bottom trawls, which often damage the sea

82 loss anddegradationofwetlands, mangrovesandother Farmed prawnorshrimp: of finfishandinvertebratesremains high. vary widelyand,evenwhere TEDs areemployed,by-catch and enforcementofcatchquotasTEDrequirements reduce by-catchsignificantly,butmanagementmeasures exclusion devices(TEDs)andsquaremeshpanelsthatcan of prawnlanded.Measurestoreduceby-catchincludeturtle up to10kgofby-catchmaybediscardedforeverykilogram large numbersofseaturtles,aswellfishandinvertebrates; levels ofby-catch(27percentglobalby-catch),including bottom trawling,whichdamagestheseabedandtakeshigh lived andveryprolific.Mosttropicalshrimparecapturedby Tropical orsouthernprawnshrimp: of groundfish. mammals, seabirds,etc.)buttherestilltendstobeby-catch reduced accidentaltakeofendangeredspecies(seaturtles, by shrimp.By-catchreductiondeviceshavesignificantly bed, particularlythesandyandmuddyhabitatspreferred Muchprawnfarmingcauses Theseareshort-

83 • • • • • • • social issuesrelatedtoshrimpfarmingare: because oftheirbadreputation.Thekeyenvironmentaland Farm-raised shrimparesometimeslabelledaswild-caught, habitats, aswellpollutionanddepletionofwildstocks.

for food,transferdiseasesand interbreed. wild; and formulated feeds; seeps outoftheponds; mangrove forests,tocreateponds; Escape offarmedshrimpthat competewithwildshrimp Decline ofhealthybroodstockthroughcollectionfromthe Depletion ofwildstocksfishforusein Drainage ofaquiferstosupplywater; Pollution fromorganicwaste,chemicalsandantibiotics; Salinization ofgroundwaterandagriculturallandaswater Clearance ofecologically-sensitivehabitat,suchas

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends © Edward PARKER / WWF-Canon

84 • • • • • • further information),orfromsourcescertifiedasorganic. Principles forResponsibleShrimpFarming(seeSourcesof those fromfarmsmanagedaccordingtotheInternational fairtrade andorganiclabels.Forfarmedprawns,choose prawns labelledwithrecognised,credible,environmental, to reduceby-catchofnon-targetspecies,andalsoshrimp/ Try tochooseprawnstakeninfisheriesusingsortinggrids Species generallytochoose Factsheet 4continued

Washington State assessment ormanagementofpinkshrimpstocksoff MBA ranking:Bestchoice, west coastbutsomeareexported. jordani) Pink/salad/cocktail shrimpfromOregon,U.S. Good alternative. effects, andaddressingby-catchissues. fairly effective,maintainingstocks,researchinghabitat Atlantic. Overall,managementofthesehasbeen commercially intheU.S.GulfofMexicoandSouth shrimp fisheries. South AtlanticandGulfofMexicowarmwater Canada andU.S.Atlantic (cause forconcern). North Atlantic,PacificandArcticOceans. Canadian andU.S.waterstoreduceby-catch.From grids arecompulsorilyfittedinnetsNorwegian, Northern prawnorcrevette shrimp. which makesthemagoodalternative toimportedfarmed farms aresubjecttolawslimiting environmentalimpacts, Farmed shrimpfromtheUnited States. available fromthesecountries. carefully, asnon-organicfarmedprawnsarealso no pesticidesorantibiotics).However,checklabelling These areproducedinVietnamandEcuador(using Organically farmedtigerprawns choice. U.S.–MBAranking:Goodalternative. they arehauledin. traps aremovedbylargeoceanswellsandtides,orwhen to fragileglassspongesandcorals,maybedamagedif little by-catch,althoughtheirhard-bottomhabitats,home prawns areonlycaughtwithpotgear,whichresultsin Pot-caught spotprawn(orprawn,shrimp). . OregonshrimparesoldprimarilyontheU.S. MBA ranking:Goodalternative. Sevenspeciesofshrimparefished . MBAranking:Avoid. British Columbia–MBAranking:Best Wild-caught NorthernShrimpfrom . MBAranking:Goodalternative. but notetherehasbeenlittle (Pandalus borealis) (Penaeus monodon) MSC certifiedin2007; U.S.shrimp MBA ranking: MCS rating:3 . (Pandalus Sorting

Spot

85 • • • Species ofparticularconcern native crayfish stocks. populations thatdisruptaquatic ecosystemsandthreaten resulting regularlyinescapes thathaveledtoinvasive not coveredinthisfactsheet. Thelatterareoftenfarmed, Slipper andsquatlobsters, freshwatercrayfishare • • lobster speciescommonlyindemandrestaurants: and artisanally.Thisfactsheetaddressestwogroupsof oceans andatalldepths,arefishedbothcommercially are involved.Theyfoundinalltemperateandtropical crustaceans thatarepopularasseafood;about150species The name‘lobster’isusedforseveraldifferentgroupsof LOBSTER

WWF HongKongrecommends to theby-catchproblem. shrimp arelikelytohavebeentrawled,thuscontributing ‘Hite shrimp’,importedintotheUnitedStates. rating: 5(avoid);MBAranking:Avoid. farms dependonjuvenilescaughtfromthewild. generally fedonpelletsmadefromwildcaughtfish,and loss ofmanymangroves.Inaddition,farmedshrimpare southeast Asia.Theshrimpfarmpondshaveledtothe water shrimp,andthemostcommonlyfarmedshrimpin above). Thisisthemostcommonwild-caughtwarm- any purchasesareoforganicallyfarmedanimals(see tiger prawnorshrimp) Tiger prawn(alsoknownasgiant,blackandjumbo water. Theyarecommonlysoldjustfortheirtails. among rocks,kelpandcoral,fromshallowtodeep in tropical,semitropicalandtemperatewaters,hiding array ofspines.Theyaretypicallyfoundontheseafloor muscular tailandthickhardshellsprotectedwithan Palinuridae Spiny/rock orwarmwaterlobsters refers tothecookingmethodandmayinvolveshrimp). as langoustineorscampi,althoughtheterm“scampi” Maine lobster,andtheNorwaylobster(commonlyknown include thecommonEuropeanlobster,Americanor front clawsandmainlyfoundintemperatewater.They and Clawed or‘true’lobsters Sea, andmantisshrimpfromtheSouthChinaSea. from China,wild-caughtshrimptheSouthChina Homaridae . Thesehavenoclawsbutathick . Thesearedistinguishedbytheirlarge (Penaeusmonodon). fromthefamilies MBA ranking:Avoid. avoiding fromthefamily farmed shrimp Nephropidae Try toensure These MCS

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends Factsheet 4 continued

The Caribbean Spiny lobsters are eagerly looked for by both commercial lobstermen As their name suggests, spiny lobsters are covered with and sport divers in the region. spines, which repel predators. They have two pairs of Caribbean spiny lobsters originate from coastal antennae, one of which, also spine-covered, can be fisheries, rather than fish farms, due to the difficulty longer than their body and unlike northern lobsters, they of culturing them because of their long larval life do not have claws. The edible tails are often the only stage (which lasts 6 to 7 months). They are primarily of lobsters sold, making identification of the species caught with pots and traps. Additional types of fishing difficult but not impossible to a trained eye. gear include bottom trawls, dip nets, handlines and The tails are most commonly available frozen, and spears; they are also handpicked. In the Bahamas are sometimes subdivided into “warmwater” and and Caribbean, they are often also speared or gigged, “coldwater” tails, depending upon the species/fishery which is prohibited in Florida. of origin. Warmwater tails originate from the tropical The prolonged pelagic stage of spiny lobsters larvae fisheries of the Caribbean, California and both coasts means they can disperse over unusually wide areas. of Central and South America, while coldwater tails This has profound implications for spiny lobster come from the temperate-water fisheries of Australia, management, because the management of a fishery New Zealand and South Africa. In their frozen state, in one country can have significant effects on lobster warmwater tails are coated with a glaze of ice, while populations in another country. coldwater tails are frozen without a glaze. Seafood traders consider tails removed from live lobsters As with other crustaceans, it is impossible to age superior to those collected after the animal’s death; accurately a wild-caught lobster. Therefore, estimates therefore, premium lobster tails are trap- or diver- of “age at maturity” are replaced by “size at maturity”, caught, not spearfished. Coldwater tails are considered which can actually vary significantly within a species, superior in flavour and texture to warmwater tails, and making it difficult to establish minimum size limits to their costs reflect this. manage a fishery. In the Caribbean a minimum size limit of close to 9 cm (3.5 inches) has been established. The Caribbean spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, can be Other management measures in the region include found at depths of up to 90 metres (300 ft) from Brazil gear restrictions, closed seasons, the prohibition of to North Carolina, including the entire Gulf of Mexico retaining egg-bearing female lobsters aboard a vessel, and Caribbean Sea, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and a commercial trap reduction program, and recreational eastern South America. It is a popular seafood item trip limits. for human consumption, and is the number one food export of the Bahamas and rivals the shrimp industry in Source NOAA: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/species/car_spiny_lobster.htm Florida in commercial value. Caribbean spiny lobsters

86 as langoustine,jomfruhummer, buchstabenkrebs,cigala, The Norwaylobster right whaleissometimesaccidentally entangledinpots. in pots;NorthAmerica,the endangeredNorthAtlantic lobsters maylive50yearsormore.Bothspeciesarecaught quarter oftheirpotentiallevelintheunfishedstate.These thought tobelow,whilestocksofthelatterarebelowa The populationstatusoftheformerislargelyunknownbut common lobster( lobster ( for popularspecies,suchastheAmericanorMaine Clawed ortruelobsters: Indian andPacificOceans,manystocksareoverfished. both commercialandartisanal,forspinylobstersinthe Florida fisheryiswell-managed.Thereintensivefishing, presence ofregulationandmanagementschemes;the reach reproductivematurityorcaughtillegally,despitethe of theCaribbeanareoverfished,capturedbeforethey diving arealsoused.LobstersinBrazilandsomeparts in shallowwater,butnets,pots,spears,scubaandskin and California.Spinylobstersarecaughtmainlyintraps Nicaragua), andtherearedomesticfisheriesinFlorida Brazil, andtheCaribbeancountries(ledbyCuba suppliers ofspinylobster( Spiny/rock orwarm-waterlobsters: Conservation issues Homarus americanus H. gammarus Nephrops norvegicus Manytraditionalfishinggrounds Panulirus argus ) inNorthAmericaandthe ) inEuropearedepleted. The world’slargest (alsoknown ) areAustralia, 87 of thetrawlfisheriesresultsin largequantitiesofby-catch, available forphotosyntheticorganisms. Thesmallmeshsize sediment thatsmothersfilter feeders andreducesthelight sometimes toadepthof30cm ormore,andalsore-suspend considerable damagetotheseabed anditscommunities, called creels.Theheavyotterandbeamtrawlscause otter trawls(mainmethod),seinenets,andbaitedtraps sediments ontheseafloorandarefishedwithbeam Norway lobsterliveinburrowsdugintosoft,muddy individuals; mostareunlikelytosurvive. minimum landingsizeorbecausethemarketpreferslarger thrown overboard,eitherbecausetheyaresmallerthanthe the NorthSeaand50-60percentinBayofBiscayare and NorthPortugal.About30percentofNorwaylobsterin are depletedinWestandNorthGalicia,theCantabrianSea depleted speciessuchascodandhake.However,stocks cases increasing,perhapsduetodecreasedpredationby unknown, butsomeappeartobesustainableandin scampi productionintheUK.Thestatusofmanystocksis in southernEurope,andthereissignificantuseoftails Bay ofBiscay.Marketsforwhole North Sea,thewatersaroundUKandIreland, Mediterranean Sea,withmostcatchescomingfromthe because ofitshighdemand.ItisfishedfromIcelandtothe prawn, Norwegischerhummer,sjøkreps)isbetterstudied, keisarihummeri, karavída,nephrops,Noorsekreeft,Norway Dublin Bayprawn,havskräfta,kaisergranat,kaiserhummer, Nephrops areprincipally

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends © David Stuart MELVILLE / WWF-Canon

including juvenile fish of commercial species such as cod, - nets with sorting grids, larger mesh sizes, or escape sole, plaice, haddock, whiting, and hake, up to 70 percent of panels to allow juvenile fish to escape and reduce which are discarded as they are below the minimum landing by-catch of non-target species (e.g. some fisheries size. This has led to concerns that some Norway lobster in Sweden). fisheries may be affecting the recovery of cod stocks and • Red rock or California spiny lobster (Panulirus the sustainability of whiting and haddock fisheries. interruptus), Baja California, Mexico. This fishery is on One Norway Lobster fishery has MSC certification (see the Pacific coast of Northwest Mexico between California below) and others are undergoing assessment. and the Mexican Gulf of Tehunantepec. The lobsters are mainly exported to Asia, France and the United States; 10 Species generally to choose percent are sold domestically, mainly to restaurants. MSC certified in 2004; MBA ranking: Best choice; • Trap-caught American/Maine lobster, Northeast U.S. MCS rating: 1 (good). and Canada. MBA ranking: Good choice. • Western Australian rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus). • Pot-caught common lobster, Europe, provided it is This fishery, which is located from Cape Leeuwin to above the legal minimum landing size, is not egg-bearing Shark Bay in Western Australia, harvests lobsters using and is not a large female. Lobster potting is the most baited pots with escape gaps. This is the most valuable selective fishing method. single-species fishery in Australia, representing about • Loch Torridon Nephrops (Norway Lobster) Creel 20 percent of the total value of Australia’s fisheries; the Fishery. This fishery in northwest Scotland, UK, uses catch is largely exported to Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, baited creels/pots deployed on lines, and adheres to the China, the U.S. and Europe. MSC certified in 2000; MBA voluntary Torridon Management Plan. Most of the catch ranking: Best choice; MCS rating: 1 (good). is exported to Spain. MSC certified in 2003. • Eastern Australia rock lobster: WWF Hong Kong • Norway lobster - those caught using: recommended.

- traditional creels that have less impact on the marine • Rock/warm-water lobster, U.S. trap caught. U.S. environment, lower rates of by-catch than trawl rock lobster fisheries have strict guidelines, attentive fisheries, and return unwanted catch back to the sea management and extensive scientific assessment. unharmed; or MBA ranking: Best choice.

88 • • When buyingcrab,avoidthefollowing: where by-catchmaybeaproblem. damage totheseabed.Somespeciesaretakeninnets, be returnedtotheseaalive,trapsandpotscancause have littleby-catchandallowundersizedsmallcrabsto Although mostcrabsarecaughtintrapsorpotsthat MSC, andsomeothersareundergoingassessment. Three crabfisherieshavecurrentlybeencertifiedbythe crabs, ratherthanspecificguidelinestoparticularspecies. hence guidelinesaregivenonwhattoavoidwhenbuying and thusitisdifficulttorecommendsustainablefisheries, there islittleinformationonpopulationsizeandstatus, Many crabspeciesareusedinseafood.Formostspecies, CRAB • • Species ofparticularconcern Factsheet 4continued

MCS rating:4(causeforconcern). size, egg-bearing(i.e.‘berried’)orlargefemales. Common lobsterbelowthelegalminimumlanding Alternative”. spiny lobsterfromtheBahamasiscurrentlya“Good and itisrankedas“BestChoice”,whileCaribbean is strictlymanagedandscientificallywell-assessed, choose theonescomingfromFlorida,asfishery Caribbean spinylobsterfromBrazil.However,youcan Concerning to determinegoodfisherymanagementpractices. available aboutpopulationhealthandabundance maturity orcaughtillegally.Thereislittleinformation overfished, capturedbeforetheyreachreproductive Fisheries inNicaragua,Honduras,andBrazilareoften as therearevastdifferencesamongexistingfisheries. It isimportanttochecktheoriginofspinylobster, Spiny/rock/warm-water lobsterfromtheCaribbean. breeding time; blue crabsinsomeareas)or egg bearing(berried)crabs; minimum landingsizes(e.g., 5 inches(almost13cm)for Crabs caughtduringtheirwinter spawningor Immature andundersizedanimals belowthelegal MBA rankings,youshould“Avoid”

89 found forsaleinrestaurants: The followingspeciesarecommonly • • • Good Alternative rates Canadian Atlanticpopulations areconsideredhealthy. measures, butitistoosoonto telliftheyareeffective. abundance. Fisherymanagers haveimplementedrebuilding classified asoverfishedinAlaska,becauseoftheirlow Snow crabs alternative, andfromtherestofworld,Avoid. and contracts.TrappedfromtheU.S., vulnerable tofishing.Theirabundancenaturallyexpands brood theireggsforaboutayear,alltraitswhichmakethem generally healthy.Kingcrabsmoult,aggregatetomate,and like crustaceans,foundoffshoreindeep-seahabitatthatis be confusedwiththeFloridastonecrab).Theyarespider- which aresometimesalsoknownasstonecrabs(notto King crabs: Gulf ofMexico, west coastcrabfishery.Trap-caughtinU.S.Atlanticand Southeast U.S.andsuppliedpredominantlybytheFlorida Stone crabs MBA rating:Bestchoice. twice maybetaken.UnitedStatesandCanadatrap-caught, taken, andonlymaleslargeenoughtohavematedatleast difficult toassess.IntheUnitedStates,nofemalescanbe oceanic conditions,andconsequentlypopulationsare from AlaskatoMexico.Theirabundancefluctuateswith commercial crab,thesearefoundinshallowcoastalwaters crab, SanFranciscoPacificedibleand Dungeness crabs

body discardedatsea. have beenremovedfromlivecrabsandtherestof removed fromthecrabduringprocessing,asclawsmay species andareas; spawning season,whichvariesaccordingtodifferent Crab claws,unlessitisknownthattheyhavebeen Fresh (notpreviouslyfrozen)crabscaughtduringthe Crabs caughtinnets; AlaskanandCanadianwild-caught snowcrabsas Therearearound40speciesofkingcrabs, (Chionoecetesopilio) (Menippe mercenaria) MBA rating:Bestchoice. . (Cancer magister) : Thesecrabsare arepopularinthe : Alsocalledmarket MBA rating:Good

MBA a

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends Factsheet 4 continued

Blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus): Also called hardshell of fish that may or may not be caught using environmentally crab, softshell crab, or blue-claw crab, these crabs mature responsible fishing methods. Other fish used include early and carry their eggs for a short period of time, making sardines, mackerel, barracuda, striped mullet, threadfin them more resilient to fishing pressure than some other bream, Atka mackerel, hoki, blue whiting, Pacific whiting crab species. The blue crab is native to the coastal waters and cod. Imitation crab made from wild-caught MSC- of the western Atlantic, from Nova Scotia to northern certified Alaska pollock is a good alternative to crab meat. Argentina, including Caribbean waters around the Antilles, WWF Hong Kong recommends that wild-caught red crab and in the Gulf of Mexico. Traditionally taken from the and horseshoe crab from the South China Sea should not Chesapeake Bay area, equal amounts now come from the be chosen. Carolina coast and the Gulf of Mexico. Abundance varies, but many populations are declining due to habitat loss Sources of further information caused by pollution and coastal development. In the Gulf Australia’s Sustainable Seafood Guide – available from the of Mexico, shrimp trawlers take juvenile crabs as by-catch Australian Marine Conservation Society before they have the chance to mature and reproduce; and http://www.amcs.org.au even when most of that catch is discarded, released crabs may die after release from injuries or capture-related stress. Blue Ocean Institute Guide to Ocean Friendly Seafood: U.S. trap-caught, MBA rating: Good alternative. www.blueocean.org/seafood

European spider crab (Maia squinado): The largest crab in Marine Conservation Society’s sustainable sea food guide: British waters, these crabs are caught mainly with tangle www.fishonline.org nets, which result in more by-catch than pots. Marine Stewardship Council: http://eng.msc.org/ Brown or edible crab (Cancer pagurus): These crabs, found Monterrey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch: in Europe, can grow up to about 300 mm carapace width. www.mbayaq.org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp Found in waters down to 100 m, they are highly fecund and Seafood Choices Alliance: www.seafoodchoices.com spawn mainly in the winter months. Many populations are overfished. Well-managed pot fisheries: MCS recommended. WWF Seafood Guides – available for Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mangrove/mud crabs (Scylla serrata): Widespread in the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, tropical waters of Africa, Australia and Asia, these crabs Switzerland: http://www.panda.org are popularly eaten in Australia and South Asia. Little information is available on population size, but this species Shrimp is increasingly being ‘ranched’ (with juveniles fattened in Environmental Justice Foundation Consumer Guide to pens) in small-scale, community-managed projects. Product Prawns: http://www.ejfoundation.org/ from such sources is a better choice than wild-harvested mud crabs. FAO/NACA/UNEP/WB/WWF. 2006. International Principles for Responsible Shrimp Farming. Network of Aquaculture Imitation crab or lobster: Also called surimi, this is a Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA). Bangkok, Thailand. 20 pp. minced fish paste made from pollock mixed with other kinds

90 csfbvi.com/ Caribbean SustainableFisheries Corporation:http://www. Agency/International Centrefor OceanDevelopment,Canada. management. InstituteofPacific Studies/ForumFisheries South Pacific:informationforfisheriesdevelopmentand A. andHill,L.(Eds).NearshoreMarineResourcesofthe Pitcher, C.R.1993.SpinyLobster.Chap.17.In:Wright, TRAFFIC East/SouthernAfrica,Nairobi,Kenya. seashells andlobstersinKenya,TanzaniaMozambique. Seas forMarineInvertebrates:tradeinseacucumbers, Marshall, N.,S.A.H.Milledge,andP.S.Afonso.2001.Stormy Lobsters www.worldwildlife.org/aquadialogues WWF ShrimpAquacultureDialogue: Society forNatureConservation. Thailand fortheSwedishmarket.Finalreport Miller P.1999.Investigationoftheshrimpindustryin php?cid=142&lid=735 http://www.enaca.org/modules/wfdownloads/singlefile. International PrinciplesforResponsibleShrimpFarming:

91 recommendations ontheproductsdiscussedhere. advised tochecklocalandinternationalregulations 2012, itmayhavechangedsincethen.Hoteliersare believed tobecorrectatthetimeofgoingpressin While theinformationpresentedinthisfactsheetwas gov/fishwatch/species/car_spiny_lobster.htm (NOAA): http://www.noaa.govandhttp://www.nmfs.noaa. The NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration duke.edu/dspace/handle/10161/1008?show=full to sustainablefisherymanagement:http://dukespace.lib. The CaribbeanSpinyLobsterFisheryinCuba:Anapproach

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends TRAFFIC RECOMMENDS Factsheet 5: Other fish

Overfishing is one of the greatest threats to the marine Conservation issues environment and its wildlife. The Food and Agriculture Most shark populations worldwide are heavily overfished Organization (FAO) reports that almost 70 percent of global for their meat and fins and from accidental capture. About marine fish stocks are overfished or depleted, and in some 20 percent of the 547 species of sharks on the IUCN Red cases completely fished-out. This can perhaps be seen most List are threatened. Basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus), dramatically in the North Atlantic – cod stocks in Canada’s whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and great white sharks Grand Banks are still nowhere near to recovering some 15 (Carcharodon carcharias), although not in demand for years after the collapse of the fishery during the early 1990s. seafood, are listed in Appendix II of CITES. Hotel restaurants can help by sourcing fish from responsibly An estimated 100 million sharks are caught each year, and managed fisheries, and by choosing fish that are caught the global catch has increased by 300 percent since 1950. or farmed in a way that minimises damage to the marine Since sharks grow slowly, mature late and give birth to only environment. One of the best-known certification schemes a few young at a time, they decline rapidly in the face of that aims to ensure fish are sourced sustainably is operated intense exploitation. The loss of Asian shark stocks has led by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Certified product Asian fishing operators to target sharks farther away, e.g. in is marked by the scheme’s distinctive blue label. the Pacific, and has also contributed to the development of The issue of the sustainability of fish supplies is exceedingly specific shark fisheries. complex and constantly evolving, therefore the advice here has to be general, and clearly cannot be comprehensive for all species currently traded. Some species may be rare in The Caribbean Reef Shark one locality and abundant elsewhere. Several organisations have produced ‘best fish guides’ in an attempt to rate various The commonest shark in the Caribbean Sea is the fish species according to the sustainability of their harvest. Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi), which has Links are provided in this document to several of these a long, powerful, stream-lined body, a large dorsal guides, and local advice should be sought where possible. fin, and greyish upperparts and a white underside. It is found in the Western Atlantic from the U.S. SHARKS throughout the Caribbean Sea, south to Brazil. Despite About 30-40 species of shark from over 120 countries are its widespread distribution and apparent abundance fished for both their meat and fins, the fins being the most in some areas, this large, inshore shark has suffered valuable product, particularly in Asian countries. significant declines due to intensive fishing in the Shark meat does not travel well without refrigeration and is last century and it is classified by IUCN as Near generally of low value. It is eaten in a few countries but is Threatened. Dedicated shark fisheries once operated rarely seen on restaurant menus. The exception is dogfish throughout the Caribbean, driven by the demand shark which is sometimes used as a substitute for cod in for shark fins in Asia, where they are considered a fish and chips and sold as ‘rock salmon’. delicacy. Although many operations closed down in Sharks have an important tourism value in countries that the late 1990s as sharks became scarcer, pressure have a diving industry, such as in the Caribbean region, but on the surviving vulnerable populations persists. In population declines are threatening this value. For example, the 2000s, Asian traders would purchase fins for up a single live reef shark is estimated to be worth US$250,000 to US$82/kg, with shark meat being sold at a fraction a year through dive tourism in the Bahamas, whereas a dead of this price to Belize, Mexico and Guatemala. Sharks reef shark has a onetime value of $50-60 to a fisherman. are also caught as sports fishing trophies, for their skin

92 fisheries intheCaribbean-predominantlyartisanal,small- overharvested andarenowacauseforconcern.Coralreef fished forfoodintheCaribbeanregion,andsomehavebeen ( species, includingcertaingroupers( This groupoflarge-bodiedcoralreeffishinvolvesabout100 LIVE REEFFOODFISH(LRFF) seafood initiative. fin soupaspartoftheircorporateactivities,undertheWWF some 30organisationshavepledgednottobuyorsellshark extracts andanimaltendon,areavailable.InHongKong, eaten. Artificialsharkfinsubstitutes,suchasseaweed (MBA) andWWF,recommendthat Conservation Society(MCS),MonterreyBayAquarium All seafoodguides,includingthoseoftheMarine Species ofparticularconcern carcharhinus-perezi/ is at:http://www.arkive.org/caribbean-reef-shark/ More informationabouttheCaribbeanreef shark its maintenanceinourtropical oceans. protect coastalhabitatsandwildlifeare contributingto relatively abundantandwidespread, andmeasures to (MPAs). Fortunately, theCaribbeanreef sharkisstill is alsoprotected inseveralMarineProtected Areas prohibited insomewaters.TheCaribbeanreef shark and Cuba,consequentlysharkfishinghasbeen in someareas, suchasFlorida,Belize,Bahamas The sharksare amajortouristattractionfordivers through coral bleaching, disease and physical impacts. their reef habitatsintheCaribbeanare beingdamaged snapper fisheries(particularlyinBelize).Additionally, gillnet fisheriesandinhooklinegrouper and however, isfrom accidentalbycatchinlonglineand The greatest threat totheCaribbeanreef shark, beauty products) andasfishmeal. (leather), fortheirliveroil(usedtomakeleatherand Lutjanidae ), andparrotfishes( Scaridae shark Serranidae ). Manyoftheseare shouldnotbe ), snappers 93 are vulnerabletooverfishing,astheygrowslowly,late Many ofthespeciesusedasLRFFarecoralreeffishand Conservation issues sources (WorldResourcesInstitute;http://archive.wri.org). economy, supplyingdemandfarawayfromthesetropical and conchgeneratesmillionsofdollarsforthenational market insnapper,grouper,andreef-associatedlobster restaurants. ForsomeCaribbeancountries,theexport exist. Intouristareas,manyfisharesolddirectlytolocal protein andprovideemploymentwherefewalternatives scale, subsistencefisheries-areaninexpensivesourceof (World Resources Institute;http://archive.wri.org). remove theentirepopulationof aspeciesinjustfewdays know thelocationofsuchspawning aggregations,theycan once ortwiceayeartospawn invastnumbers.Wherefishers grouper andsnapperspecies congregate atknownlocalities the targetingofspawningaggregations. Manyofthelarger damaging formofoverfishingintheCaribbeanhasbeen to catchfishformonthsorevenyears).Anotherparticularly and wasteful(whentheyarelostunderwaterascontinue (when fishersdropthemontothereef,breakingupcorals) Caribbean. Unfortunately,suchtrapscanalsobedestructive and effective,arethemostwidelyusedfishinggearin cause habitatdamage.Portablefishtraps,whicharecheap the cyanideandlargetrapsthatareusedinsomeareascan Although hookandlineisoftenusedrelativelybenign, sustainability ofthespecies). source countryhasmanagementmeasurestoensurethe with anexportpermit,whichmayonlybeissuedifthe in CITESAppendixII(i.e.internationaltradepermittedonly listed bytheIUCNasendangered,isonlyLRFF humphead wrasse( snapper ( itajara IUCN RedList,includingthegoliathgrouper( may bepreferentiallyremoved.Severalspeciesareonthe thus, ifaparticularsizeistargetedbyfishery,onesex ranges. Somechangesexaspartoftheirlifehistory,and and canbeeasilydepleted;othershaveverysmallhome also spawninsmallaggregationsthatareeasytofish to matureandarenaturallyuncommon.Certainspecies ), whichiscriticallyendangered,andthemutton Lutjanus analis Cheilinus undulatus ), whichislistedasvulnerable.The ), anAsiaticspecies Epinephelus

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends Factsheet 5 continued

There is some hatchery production of the young of a few • Hake. Many stocks of European hake from the eastern grouper species, but most LRFF come from the wild, either Atlantic and Mediterranean are in decline through as juveniles or as adults, depending on the species. overfishing. In the U.S., the white hake is similarly overfished. More sustainable alternatives include the Species of particular concern silver and red hake (northeast Atlantic) and the shallowwater cape hake of southern Africa. Another species, the • Patagonian toothfish - also known as Chilean sea bass, southern hake, off New Zealand, is also under threat. merluza negra (in Latin America) and mero (in Japan). This large, slow-growing southern hemisphere species • Monkfish. European monkfish from north and is caught by long-line fishing, some of it undoubtedly northwestern Spain and the Portuguese coast are carried out illegally. The long-lining taking place without overfished. U.S. stocks are thought to be recovering after mitigation measures in place is responsible for a large a period of over-harvest. amount of incidental by-catch of endangered seabirds • Snappers. Many species of snapper are overfished, and (mainly rare albatrosses and petrels), sharks and even the IUCN classifies two species from the Caribbean and marine turtles. Of the world’s 22 species of albatross, Americas – the mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) and the 18 are globally threatened with extinction, mainly due to cubera snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus) – as Vulnerable. long-line fishing. Avoid eating these and try to ascertain the origin of any • Orange roughy. Orange roughy is a slow-growing, long- other snappers which you source. Red snappers caught lived fish (it can reach ages of more than a hundred off the northern coast of Western Australia currently years) that is very vulnerable to over-exploitation, with come from healthy stocks, for instance. some populations decimated by overfishing. It is often • Hoki. In recent years, hoki has been increasingly sold caught by bottom-trawling, a method that damages the away from its New Zealand range as a sustainable cod seabed and may have a significant effect on the ocean substitute. Although certified by the MSC, the New ecosystem. The species is also thought to contain high Zealand conservation organisation Forest & Bird claims levels of mercury, another good reason not to serve it. there is a significant by-catch of fur seals, albatrosses • American plaice (dab). Despite its name, the and other seabirds, as well as overfishing of hoki itself. American plaice is also available on European menus. • Groupers. Once considered a byproduct of the red It is a slow-maturing flatfish that is vulnerable to snapper fishery, grouper, in recent years, has become overfishing. Preferable alternatives include MSC-certified quite popular among seafood consumers. Historically, European plaice from the Irish Sea, or Alaskan Plaice recreational catches were much higher than commercial from the Pacific. landings, but that situation has reversed in recent • Atlantic cod. Atlantic cod has been heavily exploited for decades. Many groupers are important food fish, and the past 50 years, leading to huge population declines some of them are now farmed. Unlike most other fish (around 90 percent). Alternatives include MSC-certified species which are chilled or frozen, groupers are usually pollock, hake, hoki, Pacific cod, sablefish or mackerel sold live in markets. icefish. Particularly of concern in the Caribbean region, is the • Atlantic halibut. The Atlantic halibut is another species goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara), found in tropical of flatfish that is overfished. An alternative would be and subtropical waters of the Atlantic and eastern Pacific MSC-certified North Pacific halibut. oceans, and caught widely in the Gulf of Mexico and throughout most of the Caribbean. This species is of • Black scabbardfish (espada). This strange-looking significant commercial and recreational interest, and its deep-sea fish is heavily fished, and therefore is perhaps life history characteristics make it highly vulnerable to best avoided. Only go for mature fish (longer than 80cm) overfishing. Although there are now several regulations caught by traditional fisheries. which prohibit it from being harvested (e.g., USA since • Blue ling. This is a deep-water North Atlantic species, 1990; US Caribbean since 1993; Brazil since 2002), it is vulnerable to excessive trawling.

94 • Swordfish. fisheries. Harpoon andhandline-caughtswordfish from rest oftheMediterranean)isan issueformanyswordfish turtles (inillegaldriftnets,mainly offNorthAfricaandthe such assharks(onlong-lines), dolphinsandmarine reaching consequences.By-catch ofnon-targetspecies, ecosystem, sotheirexcessive removalmayhavefar- food chainandplayanimportantroleinthemarine declines insomeareascausedbyoverfishing. a similarsituationwithparticularlymarkedpopulation also distributedthroughouttheCaribbean,whichfaces Red List,asistheredgrouper( are currentlyclassifiedasNearThreatenedontheIUCN to theconstantincreaseinfishingefforts.Blackgroupers and otherareas(e.g.theMexicanCaribbean),attributed there hasbeenasignificantreductionofyieldsinthese any othergrouperforexampleinFloridaandCuba, Commercial landingsofthisspeciesexceedthose fisheries. Ithasbeenheavilyfishedthroughoutitsrange. Ocean, andarealsoverycommoninrecreational fisheries intheGulfofMexicoandsouthAtlantic groupers arecommonlylandedincommercialgrouper most abundantlargegrouperofshallowwaters.Black the Caribbeanregion.Thisspecieswasformerly Bermuda andMassachusetts(USA)toBrazil,including black grouper( List. AnotherrelevantspeciestotheCaribbeanis still classifiedasCriticallyEndangeredontheIUCNRed Thesespectacularfishareatthetopof Mycteroperca bonaci Epinephelus morio ), distributedfrom ), 95 •

as DataDeficientintheIUCN RedList. indicate adecreaseinthepopulation. Itisthereforelisted However, therearenocatch landings dataavailablethat in partsofitsrange(i.e.,Antilles andBarbados). is anecdotalevidencesuggestingpopulationdeclines fishery existsforsomeofthelargerindividuals,andthere third largestparrotfishintheCaribbean.Acommercial Bermuda andSouthFloridatoVenezuela.Thisisthe parrotfish ( prohibited forcertainparrotfish,suchasthemidnight Management Councilhasrecommendedthatfishingbe gone. ThesciencecommitteeoftheCaribbeanFishery food inthisregionbecausealltheotherspeciesare their diet.Thespeciesareincreasinglybeingfishedfor from beingovergrownwithseaweedasthisispartof is proposedasawayofsavingCaribbeancoralreefs rocky coastsandseagrassbeds.Protectingparrotfish The approximately90speciesarefoundincoralreefs, is consideredadelicacyinsomepartsoftheworld. species, particularlyintheIndo-Pacific.Theirmeat commercial fisheryexistsforsomeofthelargertropical and subtropicaloceansthroughouttheworld.A Parrotfish reduce theby-catchofendangeredmarineturtles. fisheries arewell-managedwithmeasuresinplaceto the U.S.NorthAtlanticarebestchoice,asthese . Theyarefoundinrelativelyshallowtropical Scarus coelestinus ), whichisfoundfrom

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends © Darren JEW / WWF-Canon

96 Species tochoose http://www.panda.org/ WWF’s sustainableseafoodguides: http://www.sierraclub.bc.ca/seafood-and-oceans Sierra ClubofCanada–guide toseafood: Seafood ChoicesAlliance:www.seafoodchoices.com publications/the-best-fish-guide fish guide:http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/ New ZealandForestandBirdProtectionSociety–best http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp Monterey BayAquarium–SeafoodWatch: Marine StewardshipCouncil(MSC):http://www.msc.org/ http://www.fishonline.org Marine ConservationSociety’ssustainableseafoodguide: http://www.fishbase.org/ FishBase –scientificreferenceguidetofishspecies: http://www.blueocean.org/seafood Blue OceanInstituteGuidetoFriendlySeafood: http://www.audubon.org/ Audubon’s SeafoodLover’sGuide: Sources offurtherinformation • • • • • • Mackerels. good alternativetoAtlantichalibut. sole. Pacifichalibutstocksarealsowell-managedanda (MSC-certified fisheries),andU.S.Canadianrock flatfish such as American plaice. These include Dover sole flatfish offermore-sustainablealternativestopopular considered healthyandsustainable. seabird by-catch. particularly asthisfisheryhasmanagedtoreduceits Sea andAleutianIslandsfisheryareagoodchoice, incidental by-catch.MSC-certifiedfishfromtheBering cod, astheAlaskanfisherymanagescatchnumbersand be sourced. certified fisheriesarebest,ifhandline-caughtfishcannot and Spanish.Line-ornet-caughtmackerelfromMSC- well-managed andsustainable.ChooseMSC-certifiedfish. populations arethoughttobesustainable. recovered fromoverfishinginthe1960s,andEuropean populations intheUnitedStatesandCanadahavefully United States,ascannedsardines). Various flatfish. Coley (Saithe). Pacific cod. Alaskan orwalleyePollock. Herring (alsosoldaspilchards,sild,kippersand,inthe Variousspecies,includingchub,king,Atlantic PacificcodisabetteralternativetoAtlantic Manypopulationsofthisspeciesare Anumberofpopulationsvarious Alaskanpollockfisheriesare

AtlanticHerring

97 trade, Vol.AsianDevelopmentBank,Manila. B. Yeeting(2003).Whilestockslast:thelivefoodreeffish G.J. Muldoon,M.J.Phillips,M.A.Rimmer,A.Smithand Sadovy, Y.J.,T.J.Donaldson,T.R.Graham,F.McGilvray, http://www.wwf.org.hk/en/whatwedo/footprint/seafood/ IUCN RedList:http://www.iucnredlist.org/ species-reports/ TRAFFIC FishSpeciesReports.http://www.traffic.org/ ARKive, ImagesofLifeonEarth:http://www.arkive.org/fish/ LRFF org/what_we_do/footprint/smart_fishing/ Smart FishingNetworkInitiative(WWF):http://wwf.panda. sustainable_fishing/sustainable_fishing_lac/ panda.org/what_we_do/how_we_work/conservation/marine/ WWF- SustainableFishing-LatinAmerica:http://wwf. http://www.gcfi.org/index.php Gulf andCaribbeanFisheriesInstitute(GCFI): Network andForum:http://campam.gcfi.org/campam.php Caribbean MarineProtectedAreasManagers(CaMPAM) recommendations ontheproducts discussedhere. advised tochecklocaland international regulationsand 2012, itmayhavechangedsincethen.Hoteliersare believed tobecorrectatthetimeofgoingpressin While theinformationpresentedinthisfactsheetwas FAO Fish.Tech.Paper,389,Rome. Vannuccini, S.(1999)Sharkutilization,marketingandtrade. Conservation HeadOn!TRAFFICInternational. Lack, M.andG.Sant.(2006).ConfrontingShark acanthias: aroleforCITES?TRAFFICInternational. Lack, M.(2006).ConservationofSpinyDogfishSqualus group finningpositionstatement. Fowler, S.M.andJ.A.Musick(2002).IUCNsharkspecialist Conservation andManagementofSharks.FAO,Rome. FAO (2000a).TheInternationalPlanofActionforthe Survival Commission20. conservation. OccasionalPaperoftheIUCNSpecies Fordham (1998).Sharksandtheirrelatives:ecology Camhi, M.,S.Fowler,J.Musick,A.Bräutigamand Sharks Trade Initiative:http://www.seaweb.org/home.php The SecretariatofthePacificCommunity(SPC)LiveFish

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends TRAFFIC RECOMMENDS Factsheet 6: Caviar © Emma DUNCAN / WWF-Canon

Caviar, the unfertilized roe (eggs) of sturgeon and concerns about their over-fishing became widespread. paddlefish, is one of the world’s most recognisable and However, the illegal trade in caviar is rife, and thought to luxurious gourmet delicacies. Overfishing and poaching, include links with organised crime. as well as pollution, habitat loss and other environmental All caviar sold in the European Union (since 2006) and all factors, have led to large declines in the populations of caviar imported into the United States (since 2007) has had these fish, which are killed in order to extract their roe. to include special non-reusable CITES labels containing Twenty-seven species of this ancient group of fish live in standardized information including, for example, the species both coastal and inland waters across Europe, Asia and of fish involved and the country of origin. These CITES- North America. Historically, the Caspian Sea—shared labelled tins aim to ensure crime-free caviar. Note that the between Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and United States labelling requirement does not cover caviar Turkmenistan—is home to the largest numbers and the produced and consumed domestically, only caviar imported most highly prized sturgeon species. Many of these are now (or exported or re-exported) from the United States. threatened with extinction. In general, travellers are currently allowed to bring small The EU is thought to be the world’s largest consumer of amounts of caviar (up to 125g per person) back into their caviar, with over 600 tonnes imported between 1998–2005, home country for personal use without the need of a CITES compared to over 300 tonnes to the United States over permit, although some countries have adopted stricter the same period. However, large domestic markets exist in measures and do prohibit the import of any caviar from range states (those countries where the sturgeon are usually particular species or populations (e.g., the U.S. Government found), which is also a contributing factor in the decline of has banned the import of wild beluga caviar from the many sturgeons. Caspian and Black Seas, excluding ossetra or sevruga Trade in sturgeon/paddlefish products, including caviar, has caviar, or caviar from farmed sturgeon). been internationally regulated since the late 1990s, when

98 • Caviar varieties(oralternatives) generallytochoose • • • • Caviar varietiesofparticularconcern

caviar comesfromanotherendangeredCaspianSea stellatus 2.3 metresandweighupto100kg. be CriticallyEndangered.Itcangrowtolengthsofup 2009 assessmentbythreefishexpertsconsidereditto classified asEndangeredin1996bytheIUCN,anda The Russiansturgeonfromwhichitisobtainedwas expensive, isstilloneofthemosthighlyprizedcaviars. in texturethanBelugacaviar,andalthoughnotas ( from countriesborderingtheBlackandCaspianSeas. United StateshasbannedimportsofBelugaproducts considered ittobeCriticallyEndangered.Since2005,the by IUCN,anda2007assessmenttwofishexperts Beluga sturgeonwasclassifiedasEndangeredin1996 reaching uptoUS$500for100gofroeby2008.The Beluga producesthemostexpensivecaviar,withprices of age.ItisfoundprimarilyintheBlackandCaspianSeas. large individualsarenowrare)andlivetoahundredyears 2,000 kgandlengthsofmorethanfivemetres(though The Belugasturgeoncanreachweightsofmorethan cheaper sturgeon caviaralternativehasasimilar taste. product names, includingas‘Avrugacaviar’. Thismuch- in manypartsoftheworldand soldunderavarietyof avoided duetopopulationconcerns. product. Wild-caughtpaddlefishcaviariscurrentlybest programmes underway,whichofferamoresustainable stocks, therearenowanumberoffarmedpaddlefish there hasbeenover-exploitationofwildpaddlefish Sevruga caviarmostclosely).Althoughhistorically caviar isverysimilartosturgeon(saidresemble related tothesturgeonsofEuropeandAsia,paddlefish both inthefreshwatersystemsofNorthAmerica.Closely 2.2 metresinlengthandweighupto80kg. species, theStellatesturgeon,whichcangrowtoup Beluga caviar–fromthesturgeon( Herring roe. Paddlefish caviar Sevruga caviar-fromtheStellatesturgeon( Ossetra caviar–fromtheorRussiansturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii ). Thethird-mostsought-aftercaviar,Sevruga Herringroeisapopularalternative tocaviar . Twospeciesofpaddlefishoccur, ). Ossetracaviarisfirmer Huso huso Acipenser ).

99 • • • recommendations ontheproductsdiscussed here. advised tochecklocaland international regulationsand 2012, itmayhavechanged sincethen.Hoteliersare believed tobecorrectatthe timeofgoingtopressin While theinformationpresented inthisfactsheetwas wildlifetrade/faqs-caviar.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/globalmarkets/ WWF caviarFAQs english-2.pdf http://www.traffic.org/species-reports/caviar-factsheet- english-1.pdf http://www.traffic.org/species-reports/caviar-factsheet- http://www.traffic.org/species-reports/ TRAFFIC caviarinformationleaflets http://www.fishbase.org/ FishBase –scientificreferenceguidetofishspecies Sources offurtherinformation

(aquaculture) isagrowingbusiness.Variousspecies rarity ofwildsturgeonpopulations,fish-farming Lompe’ inFranceand‘HuevasduLompo’Spain. alternative tosturgeoncaviar.Itissoldas‘Caviarde where itisrenownedforbeingatastyandaffordable quantities ofroe.ThisroeisapopulardelicacyinDenmark, lumpus salmon areavailable. Both roefromwildPacificsalmonandfarmedAtlantic another roealternativefromnon-endangeredspecies. United StatesandEurope. native NorthAmerica,butpopularlyfarmedinpartsofthe from theAmericanwhitesturgeon,ararespeciesinits main Caspiancaviars.‘TransmontanusCaviar’comes Siberian sturgeon)issaidtobeverysimilarthethree populations. InEurope,farmed‘Baeriicaviar’(fromthe such. Farminghelpseasethepressureonwildsturgeon are farmed—allofwhichshouldbeclearlylabelledas Farmed sturgeoncaviar Lumpsucker caviar Salmon roe ) isaNorthAtlanticfishthatproduceslarge

. Colourfulorangesalmoneggsare . TheLumpsucker( . Withthedeclineandensuing Cyclopterus

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends TRAFFIC RECOMMENDS Factsheet 7: Woods for furniture and construction

The trade in timber and wood constitutes a massive global used for furniture-making and various joinery elements, trade in natural resources. Wood and timber products are and is globally Threatened according to the IUCN Red used in furniture, construction, flooring and paper (in fact List, which classifies 4 species of Khaya as Vulnerable, pulp products constitute by far the largest overall usage). and another one as Endangered. Many species of tree are utilised in this production, some of • Afrormosia (Pericopsis elata): This West African tree, which are globally threatened (particularly tropical hardwood which is used for furniture and in joinery, is classified as species) and subject to international trade restrictions. Many Endangered. As with Big-leaf Mahogany, the species forest ecosystems are declining and their integrity is in is also listed in CITES Appendix II, and therefore trade danger, also due to timber harvesting. controls are in place and CITES permits are necessary to A number of hardwood species are categorised as threatened export it. by IUCN and listed in the Convention on International Trade • Afzelia (Afzelia spp.): This West African tree, which is in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). used for high-quality exterior joinery, is classified as This affords them varying levels of protection once the Vulnerable. appropriate national legislation has been enforced. • Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata): From South and As well as the effect on the threatened tree species Central America, this tree, which is used in cabinet themselves, over-exploitation can have a knock-on effect on making and light construction, is globally threatened the wider environment, causing the declines of other plant (IUCN’s Red List classifies it as Vulnerable). Brazil, and animal species. Unsustainable management of forests Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala and Peru listed the species also has social and economic implications for local people. in CITES Appendix III, which then requires a permit for Despite this, when making choices as to the purchase of exports from these countries. Cedar trade rose as a furniture, or undertaking building improvements to the hotel, substitute to the declining supply of Big-leaf Mahogany. there are a number of decisions that can be made to limit However recent trade data show that also the legal Cedar the environmental impact. trade is dropping dramatically. Depletion of the natural stock is potentially the reason the supply is declining, but Hardwood species of particular concern this remains to be proven.

• Big-leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla): Big-leaf or • Andoung (Monopetalanthus spp.): Various African Brazilian mahogany is one of the world’s most valuable species of this tree, which is used for furniture and light and in former times extensively traded hardwoods. It is construction, are Vulnerable concerning the IUCN Red found in Central and South America and used to make List, and one of them (i.e., M. hedinii) is classified as furniture, wood panelling and musical instruments. The Critically Endangered. species has been commercially decimated throughout • Ebony (Diospyros spp.): Various species of ebony much of its range and is listed in Appendix II of CITES, from Asia and Africa are used to make items such as which means that countries require a permit to export it. doorknobs, cutlery handles, musical instruments, etc. This permit requires a scientific assessment that the trade Several species are considered to be globally threatened will not be detrimental to the species’ survival. Due to the by the IUCN. high price of the wood, much illegal logging of this species • Honduras and Nicaraguan Rosewood (Dalbergia takes place while legal trade has declined significantly retusa and D. stevensonii): This timber is very beautiful since its CITES listing. and valuable and the commercial stock has declined • African mahogany: Mahogany (Khaya spp.) from West substantially. The species are threatened, and listed in Africa is almost as prized as its big-leaf equivalent. It is the CITES III Appendix by Guatemala.

100 • • •

the preferredqualities. timber shipmentsarelessred andlessdensewhichare comes onthemarketislower thanthatpreviously.Many decline ofnaturalstock,thequality ofMerantiwhichnow Many Shoreaspeciesareglobally threatened.Dueto such asdoorandwindowframes, gardenfurniture,etc. various southeastAsianShoreaspeciesusedinjoinery Meranti /SerayaLauan Endangered accordingtoIUCN. African treeisusedforjoineryrequiringtoughness.It Makore /Douka reflected intheIUCNRedList. decking. Manyspeciesaregloballythreatened,whichis hardwood usedinconstructionandforfeatureslike in MalaysiaandIndonesia,thisisamediumdense Keruing /YangCurjun ( Tieghemella afriana ( Dipterocarpus ( Shorea spp ): ThisWest .): Theseinclude spp .): Found 101 and mightbeon thevergeofbeinglistedas threatened, There aresomemorespecies, whicharetradedheavily • • •

the CITESIIIAppendixbyGuatemala. substantially. Thespeciesare threatened,andlistedin and valuablethecommercial stockhasdeclined retusa Honduras andNicaraguanRosewood Vulnerable accordingtotheIUCNRedList. tree, whichisusedinfurniture,joineryanddecorations, Sapele Appendix II,sothatexportersneedtoapplyforapermit. skirting boards.ItisgloballythreatenedandlistedinCITES carvings, venetianblinds,panelling,pictureframesand this woodisusedinmouldings,aswelldecorative Ramin and ( ( Gonystylus Entandrophragma cylindricum D. stevensonii spp.): From Malaysia and Indonesia, spp.):FromMalaysiaandIndonesia, ): Thistimberisverybeautiful ): ThisWestAfrican ( Dalbergia

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends Factsheet 7 continued

such as Cumaru or Alemendrillo (Dipteryx odorata) or illegal logging even taking place in some protected areas. A Jatobá or Paquió (Hymenaea courbaril). Both species are second relevant source for timber utilizing common species harvested in South American rainforests and are very hard, (such as Eucalyptus or Acacia), are plantations producing but decorative and durable timbers species, often used for timber. While there are in some cases bad practices to outdoor purposes (decking). establish or maintain a plantation, such as using only one species or on land used by marginalized rural people, also Timber certification good practices have been defined (such as FSC certified A number of timber certification schemes, which plantations) and purchasers should choose such sources. independently inspect forest operations and verify that the Therefore, even when purchasing non-tropical timber timber has come from well-managed forests, are now in products, the safest way to ensure that only wood from existence. These give buyers confidence when purchasing properly-managed forests is being used is to choose timber products – those labelled as part of such a scheme FSC-certified timber (or timber from another can be purchased safe in the knowledge that good practice certification scheme). was being followed and endangered tree species were not being felled. Buying second-hand, recycled or reclaimed timber and Probably the most familiar scheme is that of the Forest antique furniture Stewardship Council (FSC). Certified wood is marked with Antique and reclaimed timber often comes from trees that the FSC logo – the outline of a tree and the letters FSC. today are globally threatened, or protected by international This is a globally recognised scheme that uses rigorous, trade restrictions. However, it is perfectly acceptable to independent assessments. purchase these sources of timber/furniture in antique form. Other schemes include the North American Sustainable In fact, in many ways it is preferable, since the wood has Forestry Initiative (SFI), the Canadian National Standard on already been harvested. Older sources of timber are also Sustainable Forest Management, and the Programme for often of higher quality than today’s timber, since they were Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). Many large harvested from dense first-growth forests. However, there is retailers are now trying to ensure that their products are a lot of furniture on the market that pretends to be antique, sourced from well-managed, certified forests. but is not. It became a fashion from mainly Indian, and also Chinese, furniture producers to mimic old, used surfaces Despite the benefits of these schemes, it should be noted on furniture. So, whenever these types of furniture are that certified forests currently account for only a small purchased, make sure of its origins and that it is a genuine percentage of the international timber trade. Of these, many antique. more FSC-certified forests are found in temperate, rather than tropical areas. In the Caribbean currently there are only Bamboo and rattan certified forests under the FSC scheme, none certified under other systems. There are about 1,200 species of woody bamboo around the world, many with extraordinary life cycles. Some of these Unsustainable use of more common species species are thought to be at risk from forest destruction. Bamboos support many different animal species, including The vast majority of wood products do not come from high-profile mammals, such as the giant panda, mountain the above tropical hardwoods, but from non-endangered gorilla, and species of lemur in Madagascar. But most of the temperate species. However, even some of these forests are bamboo on the market comes from plantations, and is less badly managed and unsustainably harvested, particularly of a concern. Bamboo has a large range of subsistence and in Eastern Europe and the Russian Far East. A number commercial uses. Although the majority of the estimated $2 of important areas of old-growth forest are affected, with billion annual trade is local, much bamboo is also exported

102 http://www.fscus.org/paper Data sourcesonFSCpaper: http://www.fsc-paper.org or of variouswoodandpaperproducts. information onFSC-certified manufacturers anddistributors The FSCproductsdatabase(http://info.fsc.org)has Forest StewardshipCouncil(FSC):http://www.fsc.org/ CITES: http://www.cites.org/ Management: http://www.certificationcanada.org/english/ Canadian NationalStandardonSustainableForest Sources offurtherinformation are theGerman‘BlauerEngel’orNordic‘Swan’. International knownlabelsforgoodrecycledpaperproducts option thatcomesfromsustainableforestmanagement. that hasbeenproducedfromrecycledfibre,orassecond chemicals. Itthereforealsomakessensetochoosepaper standards, itisbetterintermsoftheuseenergyand the world’sforests,butifdoneunderhighenvironmental that itcanberecycled.Recyclingofpapernotonlyprotects wood-based products.Aspecificcharacteristicofpaperis so itisimportanttoapplythesamecriteriaasother timber isusedasfibresourceforpulpandpaperproducts), industry (roughly1/3oftheglobalcommercialharvest source. Paperformsamassivepartoftheglobaltimber certified, aslongtheoriginalwoodcamefromacertified Any productmadefromwood,includingpaper,canbe Paper certified manufacturersthaninthecaseofBamboo. dramatically overthelast50years.ThereareevenlessFSC managed. Consequentlyrattanresourceshavedeclined does notgrowataveryfastrateandisseldomsustainably Rattan isexportedforfurnituremaking.Unlikebamboo,rattan climbing palmsfoundinAsiaandAfrica,oftenalongrivers. Rattan referstoroughly600speciesoftropicalspiny, products, whicharesafeoptionsforpurchase. manufacturers anddistributorssellFSC-certifiedbamboo timber duetoitsfastgrowthrates.Currentlyonlyafew as anenvironmentallyfriendlyalternativetotropical for furnituremaking,flooring,etc.Bambooisoftenmarketed

103 http://www.sfiprogram.org/ North AmericanSustainableForestryInitiative(SFI): http://www.iucnredlist.org/ IUCN RedListofThreatenedSpecies: plant types. http://www.inbar.int hasmuchusefulinformationonthese International NetworkforBambooandRattan(INBAR): co.uk/campaigns/biodiversity/resource/good_wood_guide/ Friends oftheEarth–GoodWoodGuide:http://www.foe. nordic-ecolabel.org On recycledpaper:http://www.blauer-engel.de/en/orwww. recommendations ontheproductsdiscussedhere. advised tochecklocalandinternationalregulations 2012, itmayhavechangedsincethen.Hoteliersare believed tobecorrectatthetimeofgoingpressin While theinformationpresentedinthisfactsheetwas http://sourcing.gftn.panda.org/ WWF –TheGFTNGuidetoLegalandResponsibleSourcing souvenirs: http://worldwildlife.org WWF –BuyerBeware,aguidetoprohibitedwildlife http://www.traffic.org/ TRAFFIC –thewildlifetrademonitoringnetwork: http://www.pefc.org Programme forEndorsementofCertification:

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends TRAFFIC RECOMMENDS Factsheet 8: Medicinal and aromatic plants for amenities and spa products

An enormous range of plants (and animals) is used in Plants (ISSC-MAP). This Standard was published in 2007, medicines, cosmetics and perfumery. Many, particularly and was developed by the Medicinal Plant Specialist those used in traditional and phyto medicines, are collected Group of IUCN, WWF, TRAFFIC and the German Federal from the wild. If managed sustainably, collection of wild Agency for Nature Conservation BfN, with support from plants for these purposes can provide an important livelihood a multi-stakeholder group. It is currently being tested for people in rural areas where there may be few other ways of in a variety of field projects and the ISSC-MAP merged making a living. Often, however, collection is not managed on with the FairWild Standard to include social aspects. a sustainable basis, leading to deterioration of the populations The standard applies to wild plant collection operations of the species concerned (sometimes to the point where wishing to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable populations are no longer viable) and loss of livelihoods and collection, social responsibility and fair trade principles. the basis for the healthcare for many local people. Its purpose is to ensure the continued use and long- It is difficult, however, to provide clear-cut guidance on term survival of wild species and populations in their which products to avoid and which to use. This is because: habitats, while respecting the traditions and cultures, and supporting the livelihoods of all stakeholders, in particular • With many finished products, particularly natural collectors and workers. See http://www.fairwild.org. medicines, it is commonly not possible to tell what the constituents are. Even where products are labelled with Species of particular concern their constituents, the labelling may give insufficient A number of plant and animal species that are mainly in information, be hard to understand or be misleading – international trade as perfumes, medicines or aromatics are although in the last case often because rarer or more included in the CITES Appendices. Almost all are in Appendix expensive constituents, which may be a cause for II, which means that commercial international trade is legal concern, have been substituted by commoner, cheaper but regulated, with exporting countries having an obligation ones, which are unlikely to be so. Often, it is not stated to ensure that harvest for trade is sustainable (although, for whether the ingredients are from cultivation or wild most species, finished products packaged for the retail trade collection, nor from which country they originate. are exempt from CITES regulations). However for many such • Even where the identity of the constituents can be species there is good evidence that harvest and trade are ascertained, we often do not know enough to be able poorly regulated and often not sustainable. Some of these to say whether their harvest and use (if they are wild- species, such as the Asiatic yews (Taxus spp.) and the African collected) is sustainable or not. cherry (Prunus africana), and currently, to a lesser extent –but from the Caribbean region- lignum-vitae (Guaiacum spp.) are • Some standards/guidelines exist in the fair trade, organic used primarily by the pharmaceutical industry to produce and forest sectors. While some of them address wild drugs for clinical treatment and are very unlikely to be met collection to some degree, mostly they neglect the with in a hotel context. Others, however, may well feature in ecological aspects of sustainability, such as resource toiletries and cosmetics, or in general tonics that may be sold assessment. However, attempts are being made to over the counter. remedy this, most significantly the FairWild Standard Version 2.0” that is based on an International Standard CITES-listed species that provide products that might be for Sustainable Wild Collection of Medicinal and Aromatic used, and that should be treated with caution include:

104 105

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends Factsheet 8 continued

ANIMALS species such as G. officinale (distributed throughout the • Marine Turtles (Cheloniidae spp.), whose oil is often Caribbean) is used as a laxative, an antidote for poison, offered in souvenir shops, or stalls and businesses selling to improve the appetite, a remedy for gonorrhoea, traditional medicine products in the Caribbean. It is used syphilis, coughs, tuberculosis and to treat gout and as an ingredient in cosmetics, skin creams and soap, rheumatism. The medicinal products of Guaiacum as a treatment for respiratory ailments, aphrodisiac, as are generally by-products of the timber trade, and the well as to treat skin conditions and other illnesses. This medicinal market for these species has significantly should be avoided and may be illegal in many Caribbean decreased in recent years. However, if included as countries. an ingredient in medicinal products such as “celery complex” and “Rheumatic Pain”; verify if it comes from a • Iguanas (Iguana spp. and Ctenosaura spp.), both the sustainable source. meat and eggs are used for food, and considered to have aphrodisiac and medicinal properties. The legal and • Agarwood (Aquilaria spp. and Gyrinops spp.), which is sustainable origin of any green iguana (Iguana iguana) oil used in perfumery, is often overharvested, although some found for sale should be questioned: it is used to treat now comes from plantations. Use only if verified from a rheumatism, bone strengthening, and bruises and is sustainable source. commonly found in local markets in the Caribbean region, • Kutki (Picrorhiza kurrooa), which is used in herbal less frequently in the tourism industry. Iguana spp. medicines, is quite resistant to overharvest. and four Ctenosaura species (spiny-tailed iguanas) are However, Picrorhiza kurrooa royle is closely related included in CITES Appendix II. to Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora, both of which are • Coral (Scleractinia spp.) Coral calcium is best avoided. It traded under the same name (kutki). Today, the bulk of has been promoted as an alternative treatment or cure for international trade in kutki is said to be mainly air-dried a number of health conditions, including cancer. There is rhizomes of Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora originating no medical evidence to support these claims, and coral from Nepal, where it is classified as Highly Vulnerable, calcium has been identified by the US Food and Drug although the government there recently lifted a ban on Administration as a “Fake Cancer ‘Cure”. The National its collection under strict guidelines. Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine • Aloe (Aloe spp. - except Aloe vera). Aloe extract is used has issued a consumer advisory concerning false and in a wide range of skin lotions and treatments. The great misleading marketing claims associated with coral majority comes from cultivated Aloe vera and is of no calcium supplements. Coral calcium is marketed also as conservation concern. In Eastern and Southern Africa, a dietary supplement, but its benefits over other calcium some wild aloe is harvested for processing, and care supplements are unproven and several traders have been should be taken with products from this region to ensure found guilty of fraud. Furthermore, an estimated 60% that they originate from a sustainable source. of the world’s coral reefs are at risk (http://pdf.wri.org/ • Ginseng (Panax ginseng – only the Russian population reefs_at_risk_revisited_executive_summary.pdf). is listed under CITES – and P. quinquefolius). This plant PLANTS is very widely used in its pure form and as a mixture • Spikenard (Nardostachys grandiflora), which is in tonics and herbal medicines. It originates from used in perfumery, incense and herbal medicines, wild-collected (the most sought-after and often over- is often overharvested. Use only if verified from a harvested), ‘wood-grown’ (stock grown semi-naturally) sustainable source. and cultivated plants. The American Herbal Products Association (www.ahpa.org) has guidelines for harvest. • Lignum-vitae (Guaiacum spp.) is claimed to have Suppliers from North America should only be used if they medicinal properties. The heartwood and isolated resin of adhere to these guidelines.

106 programmes or small-scaleprivateenterprise initiatives positively. Inanumberofcountries, therearefunded There mayalsobeopportunities toinfluencethings sustainability, andparticularly sourcingofingredients. influence suppliersbyasking questionsaboutenvironmental issues, butlarge-scalebuyershavetheopportunityto policies maybestrongeronsocialthanenvironmental be assessedbeforeenteringintocontractswiththem.Such environmental impactsoftheirbusinesses.Theseshould suppliers havetheirownpoliciesconcerningthesocialand suppliers. Severalofthehigh-profilenaturalproducts The bestapproachatpresentistouseonlyreputable products theymightuse. sustainability ofharvestalltheconstituents it issimplynotpracticableforend-userstoensurethe national protectedspecieslistsandlawscanbechecked, Although CITESregulations,globalornationalredlistsand Practical advice • •

trade currentlyappearinadequate. encountered butavoiditifso,ascontrolsonharvestand used asafoodcolorant.Thisplantisunlikelytobe Red sanders appropriate CITESdocumentation. trade in regulation hasyettobefinalised.Currently,international South Africa,althoughthelegislationtointroducethis CITES ManagementAuthoritiesofBotswana/Namibia/ harvesting andproductionincollaborationwiththe Hoodia eventually belabelledtosaytheywereproducedfrom to ensureasustainableharvest.Anyproductsshould to cultivationwithgovernment-supportedschemes wild collectedinsouthernAfrica,therehasbeenashift many earliertradedproductsareprobablyillegal.Mostly a dietarysupplementtopromoteweightloss,although Hoodia ( spp Hoodia Hoodia . materialobtainedthroughcontrolled ( Pterocarpus santalinus spp spp . . mustbeaccompaniedby ) isincreasinglywidelyavailableas ) , whichischiefly

107 field officesofintergovernmentalorganisationssuchasFAO basis. LocallybasedconservationordevelopmentNGOs enterprise wouldhavetobejudgedonacase-by-case and providingoutletsfortheproducts.However,eachsuch valuable partnersforsuchenterprises,raisingtheirprofile livelihoods forlocalpeople.Hotelscanpotentiallyserveas essential oils,soapsandperfumes)asawayofproviding that promotedevelopmentofplant-basedproducts(often recommendations ontheproducts discussedhere. advised tochecklocaland international regulationsand 2012, itmayhavechangedsincethen.Hoteliersare believed tobecorrectatthetimeofgoingpressin While theinformationpresentedinthisfactsheetwas http://www.fairwild.org/ various languagesincludingSpanishandEnglish): FairWild FoundationandStandard(availablein TRAFFIC: www.traffic.org http://www.iucn.org/themes/ssc/sgs/mpsg/ IUCN MedicinalPlantSpecialistGroup: http://www.iaim.edu.in experience thatcouldbeusefulelsewhere: Indian NGOofmostrelevancetothatcountry,butwith Institute ofAyurvedaandIntegrativeMedicine(I-AIM)–an CITES: http://www.cites.org http://www.ahpa.org American HerbalProductsAssociation: Sources offurtherinformation more thanoneopinionshouldalwaysbesolicited). and UNDP,maybeinapositiontoofferadvice(although

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends TRAFFIC RECOMMENDS Factsheet 9: Live animals

There are many species that are illegal to purchase and keep • Seahorses: With their fascinating biology and unusual in live animal displays. Some will be illegal under national appearance and behaviour, seahorses are popular for legislation, whilst international trade in some species may be aquariums. However, they are difficult to keep, and in contravention of CITES. generally require experience and attention in order for them to thrive. The large demand for seahorses for GLOBAL AQUARIUM TRADE traditional medicine and the pet trade, and various The majority of the global aquarium trade is legitimate. environmental factors, have led to the serious decline of However, an illegal trade in these often-expensive marine many seahorse species. Most seahorses kept in aquaria creatures does exist. It is difficult to identify many of the are taken from the wild, putting further pressure on species involved, and buyers should pay particular attention these populations. In November 2002, CITES included to the following groups of species, and make sure that they all seahorse species in Appendix II, meaning any are buying from reputable suppliers who can vouch for their international trade is strictly regulated and requires the stock’s provenance. The Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) appropriate CITES documentation. In addition, many provides a certification system that provides the industry countries have stronger domestic measures in relation to with a set of internationally approved environmental and the seahorse trade (see the Project Seahorse website for quality standards. Where possible, try to use suppliers who further information, http://seahorse.fisheries.ubc.ca). are part of this scheme. In the Caribbean there are two species of seahorses that are collected for the trade in live ornamental reef fish for The Caribbean has a wealth of marine species suitable for international and domestic use in aquaria. Many seahorse the live ornamental reef trade, and many species collected species are classified as globally Threatened, and the in the wild for this trade are found in the region. Caribbean keeping of these species should be avoided. reefs are among the most degraded worldwide, and such collection could lead to a further decline of reef health, and • Giant clams and corals: Indonesia and Fiji are the largest perhaps accelerate the transition from a coral-dominated suppliers of live coral. Over-harvesting of corals is a to algal-dominated reef. Currently the Caribbean region problem in some areas, and an illegal coral trade exists. supplies a small percentage of the international demand As for giant clams, although wild populations are in decline, for ornamental reef species in aquaria, although there is farmed specimens are becoming increasingly available. evidence the trade is rising in the region. It is vital any such All giant clams and hard corals are listed in CITES development of the industry is carried out sustainably, with Appendix II, which means their international trade is development of appropriate management strategies. regulated and permitted only when the country of origin can determine and demonstrate adherence to a quota, such • Tropical fish: More than 500 million live tropical fish are that the trade doesn’t impact negatively on wild populations. traded each year as part of the aquarium trade, largely Although most Caribbean nations prohibit the collection from the Pacific and Asia. The most traded marine of stony corals for trade, some species from the region aquarium fish are the damselfishes (Pomacentridae), occasionally appeared in U.S. markets during the 1990s. surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae), wrasses (Labridae), gobies In the Caribbean there is evidence of coral trade collected (Gobiidae) and angelfishes (Pomacanthidae). Indonesia locally, sometimes illegally. Most of the corals collected are and the Philippines supply more than half of the global not for live specimens, but for dried ornamental use or for marine ornamental fish trade. The most important fishes jewellery. A coral farm was established in 2000 to propagate from the Caribbean that are collected for live trade are stony corals and sea fans collected from Dominica, with the angelfish (six species), royal gramma, jawfish, queen first exports occurring in 2003. triggerfish, redlip blenny, puddingwife, bluehead wrasse, and blue chromis.

108 • are listedin.Thesespeciesinclude: regulated ornotpermitted,dependingwhichAppendixthey Appendices, meaninginternationaltradeinwildspecimens is countries. ManybirdspeciesarelistedintheCITES in MexicoandmanyCentralAmericanCaribbean psittacines (parrots,amazons,macawsandparakeets) in somecountriesforwholegroupsofbirds,example States andtheEuropeanUnion,aswellexportbans there areimportbansonwild-caughtspeciesintotheUnited traded legallywithinthecageandaviarymarket.However, Wild birds: AVIARIES

In somecountrieslikeMexico, thecollectionandtrade hollandicus ( rosy-faced lovebird( from theparrotfamilythatare notlistedunderCITESare amazons, cockatoosandmacaws.Theonlyspecies Almost allspeciesofparrot,includingparakeets, Melopsittacus undulates Millions of birds, both wild and captive-bred, are Millionsofbirds,bothwildandcaptive-bred,are ) androse-ringedparakeet( Agapornis roseicollis ), cockatiel( Nymphicus Psittacula krameri ), budgerigar ). 109

chicks arecollected (usuallyillegally)fromnests tosell and captivebred.Additionally, sometimeswildparrot that wildcaughtbirdsarebeing soldaslegallyowned some parrotsarecaptivebred, thereisalwaysaconcern origins ofsuchbirdstoensure theyarelegal.Although many lawsthatwouldneedto becheckedregardingthe in thelobbyorgardensasafeatureofinterest.Thereare is besttoavoidbuyingnativeparrotsdisplayinhotels into tradeandsometimessmuggledoutofthecountry.It sometimes capturedillegallytobekeptaspetsorsold rare andendemicbirdssuchasAmazonparrotsthatare psittacine species.ManyCaribbeannationsarehometo prohibited thecollectionandexportofwild-caught countries, suchastheDominicanRepublic,have region; recentlyseveralCentralAmericanandCaribbean native specimensarecurrentlybanned. and fromtothecountry)concerningcaptive-bred transactions (bothatanationalandinternationallevel, in allparrotspecies–ifnativeisforbiddenandeven This approachisbecomingmorewidespreadinthe

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends Parque Nacional de Isla Mujeres y Cancún

110 back with them onto a cruise ship. If iguanas or other reptiles back withthemontoacruise ship. Ifiguanasorotherreptiles sometimes pretendtobetourists andsmugglethereptiles species aretargetsforillegal collectors andtraders,who pinguis them criticallyendangered,like theAnegadaIguana( range ofthreatenedanduniqueiguanaspecies,some sustainable. However,theCaribbeanishometoawide in hoteldisplays,andtradethemisusuallylegal and spiny-tailediguanas( region, speciessuchasgreeniguanas(Iguanaiguana) high forthelargerandrarerspecimens.InCaribbean owners orzoosandresoldintothetradeaspricescanbe legal supply.Tortoisesarealsoregularlystolenfromtheir are popularpetsanditisincreasinglydifficulttofinda of theseanimalstradedillegally.Tortoisesinparticular tortoises forthepettradeisaparticularconcern,withmany the tradeinwildbirds.Thefreshwaterturtlesand The livereptiletradeishuge,andlessregulatedthan REPTILES birds wereimportedincompliancewithCITESrequirements. species isincludedintheCITESAppendices,makesure species/). Ifbirdsoriginatedinanothercountryandthe threatened species(seehttp://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ from alegalandsustainablesource,avoidpurchasing try toonlysourcebirdsthatareknownbecaptive-bredor bird trade.Consequently,ifpurchasingbirdsforanaviary, Despite existinglegislation,thereisstillalucrativeillegal • • • • popular forthisactivityinclude: tourists totaketheirpicturewiththebird(s).Othergroups on occasionsareexhibitedincageshotelgardensorfor birds ofpreysuchashawksandeaglesarecaptured The tradedoesnotjustaffectparrots:manyspeciesof Factsheet 9continued

i.e. appearontheIUCNRedList. and CentralAmericatheCaribbean; through lackofadequatecare. to tourists,oftenresultinginthedeathofsomethem Many speciesthatareregardedasgloballythreatened, Cranes; and Toucans, theunmistakeablelarge-billedbirdsfromSouth Turacos, colourfulfruit-eatingbirdsfromAfrica; ) andBlueIguana( Ctenosaura Cyclura lewisi spp.) are often used spp.)areoftenused ). Some of the rarer ). Someoftherarer Cyclura 111 with factsheets:http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/ BirdLife International,listofgloballythreatenedbirdspecies http://www.environment.gov.au Australian wildlifeimport/exportguidelines: Sources offurtherinformation comply withthenecessaryrequirements. in CITES,soifbroughtfromanothercountry,verifythey national legislation.Someofthesespeciesareincluded or fromasustainablesource,andthattheycomplywith they comeeitherfromanapprovedcaptivebreedingfacility are tobeusedfordisplaysoranotherpurpose,makesure recommendations ontheproducts discussedhere. advised tochecklocaland international regulationsand 2012, itmayhavechanged sincethen.Hoteliersare believed tobecorrectatthe timeofgoingtopressin While theinformationpresentedinthisfactsheetwas LeyesBiblio/pdf/146.pdf Congreso delaUnión):http://www.diputados.gob.mx/ Mexican wildlifelegislation(CámaradeDiputadosH. Wildlife tradeintheEU:http://www.eu-wildlifetrade.org/ http://www.fws.gov/permits/faqs/FaqA.shtml http://www.fws.gov/permits/ US FishandWildlifeService–permits,FAQs,etc.: http://www.traffic.org/ TRAFFIC –thewildlifetrademonitoringnetwork: Project Seahorse:http://seahorse.fisheries.ubc.ca/ Marine AquariumCouncil:http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/ http://www.iucnredlist.org/ IUCN RedListofThreatenedSpecies: http://importdetails.defra.gov.uk/ DEFRA –UKimportrulessearch: http://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.shtml CITES –listedspecies: CITES: http://www.cites.org/

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends TRAFFIC RECOMMENDS Factsheet 10: Wildlife-based souvenirs

Certain souvenirs and fashion items that could potentially • Carved items such as piano keys from elephant ivory. be stocked in hotel shops may contain mammal and bird Items made from elephant tusks (ivory of both Asian and products such as ivory, fur, feathers or turtle shell (see African elephants) are normally illegal to import and export Factsheet 11). In addition to the more obvious products commercially unless it can be proven to be antique and have made from threatened animals, there are also a large CITES permits. However, there are exceptions to this rule: number of souvenirs and other items made from protected in Namibia, local sale and international export in individually reptiles, fish and plants. Many of these products are illegal, marked and certified ‘ekipas’ incorporated in finished because the species they are made from are protected jewellery is legal, as is sale and export of ivory carvings in under national or international laws (such as CITES). Zimbabwe— provided it is non-commercial in both cases Consequently, trade in many of these species is restricted and has CITES permits for export. Note that trade in items or prohibited, often with tough penalties for breaching these made from other elephant parts (hides, hair, leather goods) laws. Other products may require the importer (in the case is allowed for sale and export, under certain provisos, in of travellers, the person who purchased the item) to have the Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Many of correct to have the correct export permits. However, there the toothed whale species used for carvings into curios and are some exemptions under CITES for personal items such art pieces are prohibited from commercial trade. as some tourist souvenirs that will not need a CITES permit, Besides the “real” ivory products made from the teeth of but please check it is still legal under national legislation. elephants and hippos, there are also sustainable natural It is important to mention that domestic regulations in this ivory substitutes that are sometimes used to produce similar regard often vary from one country to another, and some products. An example of these is the vegetable ivory, or could prohibit any exports under this exemption, while ivory nuts, which are primarily the nuts of the Tagua palm others could have a lower limit on the quantity allowed by tree (Phytelephas macrocarpa). Tagua trees are distributed CITES to be exported (as each country has the right to apply in northern South America, and the mature nut, which can stricter domestic measures to those of CITES). An example reach the size of an apple, has an extremely white, very is that CITES recommends that tourists can export up to 3 hard cellulose kernel, which is worked like ivory. Products conch shells as personal items to take home following their made out of the Tagua palm nuts are sometimes offered to international vacation. Some countries support this policy tourists in the Caribbean region, and a CITES permit is not but others don’t, so it is difficult for the tourist to be sure required to transport them into a different country. However, without checking all the laws of the country they are visiting caution should be taken to make sure they are truly made and their home country too. out of Tagua nuts. Other ivory substitutes that could be In addition, the importation into the United States, for found in Caribbean markets are bones and shells, as well as example, of any wildlife and their parts or products is synthetic ivory. prohibited if the animal was captured, taken, shipped or possessed in any manner violating the laws of the country in FUR which it was taken. International trade in items made using the skins or fur of the world’s wild cats, including tigers, jaguars, leopards, IVORY PRODUCTS ocelots, margays and leopard cats is either strictly regulated Ivory-based items might include: or, in many cases, prohibited under CITES and under • Ivory jewellery; national legislation. Fur from other threatened animal species is often illegal too, although the situation can be • Carvings or figurines made from elephant ivory and quite complex. There are a range of legal and sustainably hippopotamus teeth; sourced furs used for the coat and fashion industry (such • Carved and etched whale teeth (scrimshaw); and as mink and rabbit), although many people have moral

112 shahtoosh wool areillegal.Alegalalternative toshahtoosh listed inAppendixIofCITES in 1979,anditemsmadefrom a massivedeclineinthespecies’ wildpopulation.Chiruwer animals arekilledtoobtainthe wool,andthedemandledto Shahtoosh isthewoolof Chiru orTibetanantelope.The SHAHTOOSH ANDOTHERWOOLS whether feathersarefromprotectedspecies. feathers. Anadditionalproblemisthatitdifficulttotell to stuffedspecimensanddecorativeobjectsthatinclude eggs) cannotbeimportedintomanycountries.Thisapplies feathers orpartsofprotectedspeciesbirds(including Of morerelevancetothehotelshop,however,isthat species) andareaccompaniedbythecorrectpaperwork. approved managementplansforthesustainableuseof countries (e.g.theUnitedStatesiftheyarepartoffederally- species ofwild-caughtbirdscanbeimportedintocertain take backhomewiththemtoanothercountry.However,some In mostinstances,travellerscannotpurchaseawildbirdto WILD BIRDS from andifitisregulatedininternationaltradeorlocally. worthwhile checkingwhichspeciesofanimalthefurcame in thepastcriticizingfurusefashion.Itisalways concerns overfurfarmingarisingfromdedicatedcampaigns e

113 insects/arachnids ofprotectedspecies. hotel shops.Notethatsimilar guidelines applytomounted law andit’simportanttocheck beforesellingtheseitemsin In somecountries,allbutterflies areprotectedundernational even areliableorganization,you canproceedandbuythem. CITES permit,anoriginalcertification fromthegovernment,or be assured,forexamplebybeingalreadyaccompanied a support somelocalcommunitieslivelihoods.Ifthesourcecan can comefromlegalandsustainablesourcesactually protected ornot.However,somemountedbutterflysouvenirs in identifyingindividualspeciesanddeterminingwhichare often soldasdecorativeitems,buttherecanbedifficulties is eitherrestrictedornotallowed.Mountedbutterfliesare Appendices, andconsequentlycommercialtradeinthem (birdwings andswallowtails)arelistedintheCITES Many speciesofbutterfliesinthefamily BUTTERFLIES As aresult,tradeincertifiedVicuñawoolitemsispermitted. animals arenowroundeduptobeshornratherthankilled. conservation measures,numbershaverecoveredwelland century becauseanimalswerekilledfortheirwool,butfollowing coat. Thespeciessufferedmassivepopulationdeclineslast Vicuña, awildsouthAmericacamel,hassimilarly-prized mountain goatalsorenownedforthequalityofitswool. is pashmina,atypeofcashmerewoolfromHimalayan (Lepidoptera) Papilionidae

CAVIAR inadvisable. For more information on identifying corals see: Caviar is the unfertilized roe (eggs) of the sturgeon and http://www.arkive.org/coral/Coral/identifying_corals.html. paddlefish. The most highly prized is Beluga caviar from the TRAFFIC North America published a guide to identification Beluga sturgeon (found largely in the Caspian Sea), which of precious corals in trade in 2011, see www.traffic.org. fetches extremely high retail prices (thousands of dollars TRAFFIC surveys in recent years in several tourism centres per kilogram). As well as the legitimate trade, there is also in the Caribbean found that coral was the most common a huge illegal trade, thought to be largely controlled by wildlife product for sale in the hundreds of stores surveyed. organised crime syndicates. Consequently, governments Jewellery fashioned from pieces of worked, polished coral at a CITES meeting in 2000 agreed to a universal labelling were observed in hundreds of stores and pieces could system: all sturgeon caviar now has to bear a non-reusable cost up to several hundred dollars depending on the size label detailing the source and country of origin. Travellers of the beads or coral pieces. A wide variety of necklaces, are generally allowed to bring small amounts of caviar (up to 125g per person) back into their home country for Corallidae personal use without the need of a CITES permit in these It has become highly fashionable in recent years cases. However, in 2005 the U.S. Government banned the import of wild beluga caviar from the Caspian and Black to wear red and pink coral jewellery. The coral has Seas. The ban does not cover ossetra or sevruga caviar, or a characteristic shape, with branched structures. caviar from farmed sturgeon. Caviar for sale should bear the Another commonly observed coral, often referred appropriate labelling, and customers should be advised as to as red sponge coral or red soft coral, is from the to their probable customs allowance. A number of cheaper genus Melithaea. Its skeleton is often spongy and caviar substitutes from non-threatened species (such as brittle and is usually impregnated with a resin of some Avruga, made from herring roe) are also available. For more type to give it a smooth and slight shiny surface. information on caviar, please go to Factsheet 6. Bamboo coral (Isis) is a gorgonian coral, named because it grows in a joined form that resembles the CORAL canes of bamboo. It is often dyed a rich red colour or Many corals are prized for the beautiful colours and shapes sometimes light pink. of their skeletons (corals are not plants, but marine animals closely related to sea anemones and jellyfish). Coral Black corals in the genus Antipathes are widely skeletons are widely sold in coastal resorts as decorative distributed globally and although generally known as souvenirs, or as part of other products, such as jewellery. deep sea corals, they are found at all depths within There is also a large trade in live specimens for aquariums. reefs. All the black corals (Order Antipatharia, some Some coral species are classified as threatened and listed 66 species) are listed in CITES Appendix II, including in CITES, and coral reefs are an increasingly threatened two species found only in the Caribbean: Antipathes habitat. The sale of coral products may hasten the decline of caribbeana and Antipathes pennacea. Any tourists these delicate ecosystems, thereby endangering the tourist purchasing black coral items will normally need a trade that comes to visit these spectacular natural wonders. CITES permit to take them back home, although some This, coupled with the complication of identifying the coral countries may have exceptions for a small number of species involved, means the sale of coral souvenirs is

114 sometimes offeredillegallyforsaleinclude: protecting thesespecies.Marineturtleproductsthatare trade isprohibited.Therearealsonumerousnationallaws all arelistedinAppendixIofCITES,meaninginternational There aresevenspeciesofmarineturtlesworldwide,and MARINE TURTLEPRODUCTS the Caribbean(i.e.naturallydistributedinregion). Of thesefourtypes,onlyspeciesofblackcoralarenativeto ( available: Redandpinkcorals( stalls. Therearefourgeneraltypesofcoraltypically stores rangingfromhighendjewelleryshopstosidewalk bracelets, rings,earringsandpendantsareavailablein Factsheet 10continued harmful totheenvironment. asgiftsorsouvenirsthataren’talternatives potentially may beillegal.There are many wonderfulsustainable sustainable sources andfurthermore, theirexport in theregion, thatdoesnotindicatetheyare from products maybeopenlyandwidelyoffered forsale Tourists shouldbeaware thatalthoughcoral being metorisregulated from localsources. from Asia(Indonesia,Taiwan etc.)asdemandisnot including blackcoral,are importedintotheCaribbean Research byTRAFFIChasshownthatmanycorals, were nolongervalid. such certificationschemes,asinthiscasethetags in blackcoral.However, itisrecommended tocheck for authenticatingandcontrolling theamountoftrade demonstrate theywere from amanagementscheme hologramstickerto bearing atagwithgovernment some blackcoralnecklaces,braceletsandfigurines survey intheMexicanCaribbean2007,found the relevant nationalregulations. ATRAFFICmarket rules, soitisrecommended tofindoutmore about person). Nevertheless,somecountriesdohavestricter exemption allowsforamaximumof2specimensper specimens ifyoupersonaluseonly(e.g.inMexicoan Melithaea ), Bamboocoral( Isis ) andBlackcoral( Corallidae ), Spongecoral Antipathes ). 115 the differentspeciesinvolved,stockingofallturtle/tortoise tortoises isalsoprohibited.Duetothedifficultyinidentifying Note thattradeinmanyspeciesoffreshwaterturtlesand • • • • • • plant diseases, or because the species involved is known to plant diseases, orbecausethespeciesinvolved isknownto being importedbysomecountries tostopthespreadof to alsobeawarethatplantspecies arealsobannedfrom terms ofsize,shapeandquality. Itisimportantfortravellers damage, lookveryhealthyand theyoftenalllookthesamein in thewild.Thepropagatedones generallydonotshow are usuallyquiteeasytorecognizefromthosecollected regulations andsustainabilityissues.Plantsgrownartificially grown artificiallyarenotaconcernintermsofcontrolsand too difficulttodeterminewhattherulesare.Ingeneralplants complicated andfortheaverageinternationaltravelleroften from them,suchasorchidsgrowninnurseries.Itisquite exemptions fortradeincertainplantsandproductsmade not beremovedfromthewild.InCITES,therearesome species thatareprotectedundernationallawsandshould to beinternationallytraded.Therearealsomanywildplant under CITESandrequiretheappropriatedocumentation both asdriedspecimensandliveplants,areprotected But certainwildplants,particularlyorchids,cactiandcycads, trade arenotaconcernintermsofsustainabilityorlegality. majority ofplantsandproductsmadefromthemfoundin and fastrulesonwhatisbesttobuyoravoid.The diverse sourcesthatitisverychallengingtoprovideanyhard Plants areusedinsomanyproductsandcomefrom PLANTS marine turtles. See Factsheet11formoreinformationonCaribbean be legitimate(e.g.alicensedsupplieroffarmedanimals). products shouldbeavoidedunlessthesourceisknownto

made fromtortoiseshell; Oil formoisturizeretc. Eggs forfooditemsandfolkloreremedies; Stuffed wholemountedturtlespecimens; Whole shells; Trinkets (suchascigarettelightercovers) Jewellery (suchasbracelets,necklaces,earrings,etc.);

be invasive. All imports of plants must therefore be free of REPTILE SKIN pests-, soil- and disease. There are many great examples of Some reptiles (e.g. various crocodilian species) are used plants and plant products that are sustainable and wise to to supply leather for fashion items such as shoes, wallets, sell and buy. The best advice is to avoid wild collected plants handbags and watchbands. Many manufacturers work with and products made from them unless there is information skins from sustainably managed reptile species such as the about their sustainability and legality or it is clear that what is American alligator, but some snakes, crocodiles and lizards for sale is commonly available and is not problematic. are protected and may be subject to trade restrictions. In addition to CITES regulations, some countries also have RAMIN strict import or export controls on certain species – for Ramin is a tropical lowland hardwood from southeast Asia, instance goods made from native reptile skins would be prized for its fine grain and easy wood-working qualities. illegal in India, and the EU has a number of regulations The tree is a key plant in the survival of orang-utans and is pertaining to the import of reptile skin products. now listed by CITES. As such, permits are required to import Suppliers should therefore check before buying and it. Ramin is commonly used in items such as snooker cues, stocking reptile products that they have come from a blinds, picture frames and tool handles, as well as furniture. legitimate source. Theoretically, luxury reptile-skin products Where possible, when sourcing wood products, retailers (such as handbags and shoes) should come from legitimate should attempt to find out which woods are featured, and captive-bred or ‘ranched’ (eggs or hatchlings taken from the whether they came from a sustainable source. There are wild) sources. However, tourists taking such items back into a number of sustainable timber certification programmes, their own country always face the risk of having such items including the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), briefly confiscated by customs officials unless accompanied by the explained in Factsheet 7. proper export documentation. Shop managers should look into local regulations so that customers can be reassured that they are purchasing legitimate items.

116 Factsheet 10continued SEAHORSES through over-fishing,eitheras by-catchorthroughtargeted around theworld.Manyspecies ofsharkaredeclining shark jaws,arecommonsouvenirs inmanycoastalresorts Shark teethmadeintonecklaces orpendants,mounted SHARK TEETH non-protected species. out ifseashellproductscomefromsustainablestocksof per person).Nonetheless,itishighlyrecommendedtofind this respect(e.g.,Mexico,whichallowsonly2specimens some countriesmighthavestricterdomesticmeasuresin CITES exemptionforuptothreeshellsperperson,although appropriate CITESdocumentation.However,thereisa the shellasacurioforexportwouldbeprohibitedwithout fishing (theconchisapopularseafoodproduct),thesaleof rapid decline.Althoughtheshellislargelyaby-productof shellfish fromtheCaribbean,waslistedin2003,duetoits them. Forexample,thequeenconch,abeautifulrose-pink in AppendixII,therebyregulatinginternationaltrade decorative touristitems.SomespeciesarelistedbyCITES Seashells areharvestedingreatquantitiestobesoldas SEASHELLS seahorse.fisheries.ubc.ca/ information, seetheProjectSeahorsewebsite:http:// containing seahorseproducts,isbestavoided.Forfurther the saleofdriedseahorsecurios,aswellmedicines import declarationsforwholedeadseahorses.Asaresult, only allows2specimensperperson).TheEUrequires additional lawsinrelationtothisexemption(e.g.,Mexico per person.However,manycountrieshavetheirown exported aspersonalitems,notexceedingfourspecimens on permitrequirementsifthedriedseahorsesaretobe wild populations.UnderCITES,thereisanexemption can provideevidencethatsuchactivitieswillnotthreaten international trade.Tradeisallowed,butonlyifacountry all speciesofseahorsetoAppendixII,therebyregulating decline. Consequently,inNovember2002,CITESadded Numbers ofmanyspeciesarethoughttobeinserious many traditionalmedicines(asindicatedinFactSheet10). as liveanimalsforaquariums,andusedingredientsin Seahorses arepopularlysoldasdriedcurios,exported 117 recommendations ontheproducts discussedhere. advised tochecklocaland international regulationsand 2012, itmayhavechanged sincethen.Hoteliersare believed tobecorrectatthe timeofgoingtopressin While theinformationpresentedinthisfactsheetwas wildlifetrade/buyersbeware.html souvenirs: http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/globalmarkets/ WWF –BuyerBeware,aguidetoprohibitedwildlife Wildlife tradeintheEU:http://www.eu-wildlifetrade.org/ http://www.fws.gov/permits/ US FishandWildlifeService–permits,FAQs,etc.: http://www.traffic.org/ TRAFFIC –thewildlifetrademonitoringnetwork: http://www.iucnredlist.org/ IUCN RedListofThreatenedSpecies: Forest StewardshipCouncil(FSC):http://www.fsc.org http://importdetails.defra.gov.uk/ DEFRA –UKimportrulessearch: res/13/13-07R14C15.shtml personal andhouseholdeffects:http://www.cites.org/eng/ CITES Res.Conf.13.7(Rev.CoP14)onControloftradein CITES: http://www.cites.org/ http://www.environment.gov.au Australian wildlifeimport/exportguidelines: are alsolikelytobeprotectedundernationallegislation. sawfish rostrumsisprohibited,andsuchthreatenedspecies exemptions apply).Undercurrentlegislation,exportofall one exception)listedinAppendixIofCITES(forwhichno however, allsawfishesarecriticallyendangeredand(with (‘rostrums’) onsawfishesaresometimessoldassouvenirs, for thisexemptiontoapply).Thepeculiarsaw-likesnouts items (noteeachcountrymighthavedifferentquantitylimits appropriate CITESdocumentationforexportifnotpersonal Teeth ofagreatwhitesharkwouldthereforerequirethe toothed species,thebaskingsharkandwhaleshark). all speciesofsawfisharelistedinCITES(plustwonon- fishing fortheshark-finindustry.Thegreatwhitesharkand Sources offurtherinformation

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends TRAFFIC RECOMMENDS Factsheet 11: Caribbean Marine Turtles

Six species of marine turtles occur in the Caribbean MARINE TURTLE LEATHER PRODUCTS region: the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), green turtle Marine turtle leather is prepared through the removal of (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), the shell’s scales, leaving a flat, soft leather. It is used for Kemp’s ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), olive ridley turtle the manufacture of items such as purses, wallets, belts (Lepidochelys olivacea), and leatherback turtle (Dermochelys and shoes, but its trade is strictly controlled or prohibited coriacea), all of them are considered at risk of extinction and might violate national and international regulations by IUCN. Consequently, all commercial international trade such as CITES. of marine turtles is prohibited under CITES. Throughout the Caribbean marine turtles have varying degrees of legal HAWKSBILL SHELL JEWELLERY AND OTHER protection. However, the region has a long history of use of ORNAMENTAL ITEMS marine turtles, both for local consumption (turtle eggs, meat and oil) and for crafting into ornamental products such as For centuries, craftsmen have worked the thick shell plates jewellery, mainly for the tourist market. from the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) into products ranging from simple letter openers to purses, MARINE TURTLE MEAT, EGGS AND OIL jewellery boxes and elaborated pieces of jewellery, often combined with precious metals (gold, silver) and precious Historically, marine turtle meat has been consumed as food or semiprecious stones. In some instances, juvenile or and as an aphrodisiac by diverse indigenous groups in the sub-adult hawksbill turtles, whose shell scales are too Caribbean. Nowadays, its use is strictly regulated, although thin and small for carving, are stuffed and offered for sale in some Caribbean countries the limited local capture and as ornaments. The sale of marine turtle items to tourists consumption of marine turtle meat is permitted under local is perpetuating a trade that contravenes international controls. In the Cayman Islands, meat from a turtle farm is laws such as CITES and national laws in tourists’ home sold locally and served in the farm and at local restaurants. countries. A large proportion of purchases made by However, the sale of meat is generally forbidden although tourists are not accompanied by any certification that it is sometimes offered at restaurants catering to locals legalizes the trade. Even though subsistence fishing of and tourists, and sold at butcheries and fish markets even marine turtles is permitted by law in some countries, the at the risk of sanctions to customers or the imposition of open sale of Hawksbill Turtle shell items in many tourist fines or even the closure of the business. Despite being sites is indicative of commercial use, usually in violation strictly regulated or prohibited, the harvesting of marine of national legislation. No legal international commercial turtle eggs from nesting beaches for human consumption is trade in Hawksbill Turtles has been permitted since 1992. widespread in the Caribbean. This activity is mostly driven Consequently, all marine turtle products are best avoided by the traditional belief that marine turtle eggs are a source at all times. of strength and have aphrodisiac properties. The eggs have an extremely high fat and cholesterol content. Turtle oil is Sources of further information usually presented in bottles labelled “Aceite de Tortuga” or “Aceite de caguama” in Spanish speaking countries, CITES: http://www.cites.org/ and offered in souvenir shops, or stalls and businesses IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: selling traditional medicine products. Turtle oil is used as http://www.iucnredlist.org/ an ingredient in cosmetics, skin creams and soap, as a TRAFFIC – the wildlife trade monitoring network: treatment for respiratory ailments, as an aphrodisiac, and http://www.traffic.org/ to treat skin conditions and other illnesses, despite a lack of supporting medical evidence for its effectiveness. Buying US Fish and Wildlife Service – permits, FAQs, etc.: and selling such products is also very likely to be illegal http://www.fws.gov/permits/ under local legislation. Wildlife trade in the EU: http://www.eu-wildlifetrade.org/

118 traffic_species_reptiles21.pdf the NorthernCaribbean:www.traffic.org/species-reports/ exploitation, trade,andmanagement ofmarineturtlesin TRAFFIC -Swimmingagainst theTide:recentsurveysof reports/traffic_species_reptiles10.pdf America, ColombiaandVenezuela:www.traffic.org/species- management ofmarineturtlesintheLesserAntilles,Central TRAFFIC -Turningthetide:exploitation,tradeand cartagena-convention/spaw-protocol Areas andWildlife(SPAWProtocol):www.cep.unep.org/ SPAW -TheProtocolconcerningSpeciallyProtected Conservation ofSeaTurtles(IAC):www.iacseaturtle.org IAC -InterAmericanConventionfortheProtectionand souvenirs: http://worldwildlife.org/buyerbeware/ WWF –BuyerBeware,aguidetoprohibitedwildlife 119 recommendations ontheproducts discussedhere. advised tochecklocalandinternationalregulations 2012, itmayhavechangedsincethen.Hoteliersare believed tobecorrectatthetimeofgoingpressin While theinformationpresentedinthisfactsheetwas reptiles9.pdf Colombia :www.traffic.org/species-reports/traffic_species_ in marineturtleproductstheDominicanRepublicand TRAFFIC –Tourists,TurtlesandTrinkets:alookatthetrade

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends TRAFFIC RECOMMENDS Factsheet 12: Horticultural plants

There are two main conservation issues in the use of which are in the Caribbean, such as Anguilla, British Virgin horticultural plants: use of plants from the wild, and use of Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos potentially invasive species. Islands), have voluntary codes of conduct for using native plants (see reference below) but these are not widespread. USE OF PLANTS FROM THE WILD The Caribbean has a great diversity of rare and unusual The vast majority of plants in horticulture are nursery- plants, some found only on particular islands. grown stock, and their use has no direct impact on wild Choosing plants for the hotel garden populations. In most circumstances, all plants used both Groups where wild plants may appear in the horticultural in landscaping and in indoor decoration will be artificially trade more frequently than average (both as native plants propagated. There are exceptions, however: in some groups and as imports) include: cacti and other succulents; bulbs, of plants, wild-collected specimens may appear in the corms and tubers (geophytes); cycads; orchids; ‘air-plants’ horticultural trade, in a few cases in significant numbers. (Tillandsia spp.); and tree-ferns. Some of these are included Sometimes, collection of plants for the horticultural trade in the Appendices of CITES, although very few are included may have a negative impact on wild populations or may in Appendix I, which means that all commercial international have been carried out illegally, so that care should be trade is banned for specimens collected in the wild (not so exercised when using these species. for artificially grown specimens as defined by CITES).

Native species • Cacti and succulents: Large or very large cacti and succulents used in landscaping may sometimes be wild- Paradoxically, use of native plants in landscaping, which collected. In general, however, even large specimens is in general a positive thing, may increase the chances of the most commonly encountered plants, such as that wild plants are being used. This is because it is agaves, yuccas, nolinas, adeniums (desert rose), cereoid often cheaper to take native plants from the wild than to cacti and opuntias (prickly pears – but see below), propagate them in nurseries, particularly if they are species are extremely likely to be nursery-grown. It is always that are not widely cultivated. Legislation protecting worth checking plants in the following groups, which wild plants varies greatly from country to country and is are listed in the CITES Appendices: aloes; alluaudias often weak, and plants on private land are very often not and didiereas (large succulents from Madagascar in the protected at all, although there may be specific regulations family Didiereaceae); cacti (particularly very large barrel protecting some threatened species. cacti such as Echinocactus and Ferocactus species, and If you are planning to use native plants in landscaping, try saguaros, Carnegia gigantea); succulent Euphorbias; to ensure that they have been artificially propagated, or that ocotillos (Fouquieria); and pachypodiums. Most species they have been collected legally and that they come from in these groups are included in CITES Appendix II. A a sustainable source. While it may not be easy to ensure few species are in CITES Appendix I and banned from the latter, the best way is to find a supplier whom you trust. international trade - if specimens are wild-collected - but In addition, artificially propagated specimens are usually these are very unlikely to be encountered. If in any doubt quite easy to recognize from those collected in the wild. about legality or source, avoid. The propagated ones do not show excessive damage and • Bulbs, corms and tubers: Forms that are likely to they exhibit a high degree of healthiness, not having algae be encountered and that may come from wild stock or other organisms adhering to their leaves, or damage include snake-lilies or jack-in-the pulpit (Arisaema by insects or other pests; and in case you find many of spp.); cyclamen (small Cyclamen species, not florists’ the same kind on sale together, they usually exhibit a high cyclamen); snowdrops (Galanthus spp.); blue-bells degree of uniformity within them. A few countries, such (Hyacinthoides spp.); autumn daffodils (Sternbergia spp.); as the UK, which includes its overseas territories (many of

120 121

and wake-robins (Trillium spp.). Of these, cyclamen, In order to recognize if plants are from the wild or were snowdrops and autumn daffodils are listed in CITES grown in a nursery, some characteristics can help to Appendix II, so that international commercial trade is differentiate one from another. In general, wild-collected regulated but not banned. If these are bought, they cycads are relatively large, show marks or damage should have been imported in conformity with CITES caused by the extraction, as well as irregularities regulations. caused by the environment, such as imperfections and curvatures of the stem caused by stones and steep • Cycads: Most cultivated cycads are of one species, slopes in their habitat, as well as evidence of burns Cycas revoluta (native to Japan) that are widely available caused by fire. In an illegal shipment of plants from the in most places internationally that sell house plants. wild, stems will not be uniform in size. On the other hand, Others that are quite commonly grown in the tropics artificially propagated cycads are easily identified by include Stangeria eriopus, Dioon, Zamia and Macrozamia having relatively small size and uniform shape, and by species. In many cases, these are not collected from not presenting damaged stems. Nursery plants marketed the wild, but some may be wild-collected (e.g., Zamia legally generally are seedlings or young plants (of no spp. in the Caribbean region), with a number of species more than 30 - 40 cm of length of the stem), and never highly threatened. The following, all of which are plants of great size. Plants with a stalk of large (several included in CITES Appendix I, should be avoided unless meters) are surely collected from their habitat. assurances can be obtained that they are artificially propagated: Cycas beddomei; all Ceratozamia, Chigua • Orchids: Only orchids that are sold as species, rather and Encephalartos species; and Microcycas calocoma. than as hybrids or named varieties, may be a problem.

122 had beendemonstrated nottobeinvasivein theareain would betogrowonlynative species oronlyplantsthat invasive andwhichnot.Themost precautionaryapproach nor isiteasytopredictwhich speciesmightbecome exhaustive listsofinvasiveor potentiallyinvasivespecies, the placewhereitisintroduced. Therearenodefinitiveor and thewayitreproduces)butalsoonconditionsin depends onitsownbiology(particularlyadaptability already doneso.Thecapacityofaplanttobecomeinvasive and potentialthreatstobiodiversity–indeedanumberhave natural rangehavethecapacitytobecomeseriousweeds Many plantsthataregrownasornamentalsoutsidetheir USE OFPOTENTIALLYINVASIVESPECIES • • Factsheet 12continued

sustainable useandtrade. official procedureshavebeenimplementedforits under CITESAppendixII,andforexampleinGuatemala, commercial exportpurposes.Ithassincebeenlisted as Christmasdecorandwasthusheavilyexploitedfor issues inMesoamerica,asithasbeentraditionallyused However, have beenidentifiedregardingthetradeinair-plants. II. Ingeneral,nosignificantconservationproblems conditions. SevenspeciesarelistedinCITESAppendix may becollectedfromthewildorgrowninsemi-wild Air-plants: collected specimens). bans internationaltradeforcommercialpurposesofwild- imported (someareevenincludedinAppendixI,which comply withCITESregulationsinordertobeexportedor sustainable sources.Allorchidspeciesarerequiredto avoided unlessassuranceexistsoftheirlegaloriginfrom without controls.Purchaseanduseoftheseshouldbe be soldinquitelargequantitiesandoftencollected in thetropics,wild-collectednativeorchidsmaywell specimens areaimedatspecialisedcollectors).However, encountered, asimportsforhorticulture(mostsuch Wild-collected orchidsareunlikelytobecommonly significant conservationproblems. generally legalandhasnotbeenshowntocause from thewildorsemi-wildareas.Thetradeis Tree-ferns: T. xerographica Air-plantsorSpanishmoss( Mostlargetree-fernshavebeencollected (gallito)didfaceconservation Tillandsia spp . ) 123 Plants contributedthegreatest numberofinvasivespecies plant, invertebrates,vertebrates, andmicroorganisms. occurs intheregion,including manydifferentgroupsof Nature Conservancy,alarge number ofintroducedspecies conducted byKairoet.al,(2003), andreportedtothe to theimpactofinvasivespecies.Accordingaproject its floraandfauna,thereforebeingparticularlyvulnerable biodiversity whereendemismisacommonfeatureamong The Caribbeanregionisaparticularlyvaluablecentreof should ingeneralbeavoided. anywhere intheworld.Plantsthathavebeensoidentified the plantsinquestionhavebeenidentifiedasinvasives Programme website(www.gisp.org)todeterminewhether org/database/) andthroughtheGlobalInvasiveSpecies out ontheglobalinvasivespeciesdatabase(www.issg. be donewithcaution,andsearchesshouldcarried Introduction ofnewcultivatedplantstoanareashould spp., amongmanyothers. monspessulana (notably spp Terrestrial ornamentalsthathavebeenidentifiedas ( include waterhyacinth( species shouldbeusedwhereverpossible.Plantstoavoid particularly pronetobecominginvasives,andnativeaquatic However, therearesomeexceptions.Aquaticplants plants fornativeanimalssuchasbutterfliesandbirds. environmental harm,andoftensuchspeciesaregoodfood problems. Usingthesespeciesisunlikelytocause well-established andmostofthemdonotcauseserious everywhere, awiderangeofcultivatedplantsisextremely question. However,thisisunlikelytoberealistic:almost Japanese cherry( japonica privets ( ( vine ( include: general beavoidedoutsideareaswheretheyarenative invasives inawidevarietyofcontextsandthatshould Salvinia molesta Melia azedarach . ), Japaneseknotweed( Pueraria montana Ligustrum ), Brazilianpeppertree( Lantana Spartium junceum,Cytisusscoparius ), casuarinas( , giantmimosa( ) andwatercabbage( ), castoroilplant( Hovenia dulcis ), Japanesehoneysuckle( ), tamarisk( Eichhornia crassipes Fallopia japonica Casuarina Schinus terebinthifolius ), pricklypears( Mimosa pigra Tamarix Ricinus communis Limnocharis flava spp.)and ), chinaberry Lonicera ), giantsalvinia ), brooms and ), kudzu Opuntia Eucalyptus Genista ), ), ).

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends Factsheet 12 continued

registered in the islands. Of a total of 552 species reported • UK code of practice on the use of native plants: www. alien to the Caribbean region, 59% (327) were plants, floralocale.org; and 63% of which have shown to be invasive. Trees species • German code of practice for use of horticultural plants dominated this group, with at least 220 trees having to help prevent spread of invasives: www.g-net.de/ been introduced to the region for forestry, agro forestry download/Empfehlung-Invasive-Arten.pdf; or amenity and ornamental purposes, of which more CITES and Plants manual (including an overview of plant than 80% have been reported to have established in the groups covererd by CITES): wild with many of these behaving invasively. Among the http://www.kew.org/data/cites.html invertebrates, the greatest number of species reported was insects (90 species). The relatively high number of species A list of plants regulated in international trade can be found reported for this group reflects the importance of many at: www.cites.org. as agricultural pests. Among the vertebrates, the largest List of species reported exotic, naturalized and/or invasive number of exotic species was fish (35 behaving invasively). in the Caribbean (pg. 44 - 49 of Report to the Nature The number of microorganisms (including fungi), reported as Conservancy “Invasive Species Threats in the Caribbean introduced, naturalised or invasive is negligible, which the Region”: http://www.issg.org/database/species/reference_ study suggests is almost certainly due to under-reporting. files/kairo%20et%20al,%202003.pdf For a complete list of invasive species reported through IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG): this study in the Caribbean islands, see Sources of Further http://www.issg.org/ Information. IUCN Guidelines for the Prevention of Biodiversity Loss An example of an invasive plant that has caused problems caused by Alien Invasive Species: in the Caribbean region is the Casuarina (Australian pine; http://www.issg.org/pdf/guidelines_iucn.pdf Casuarina equisetifolia). It was introduced more than a century ago in the Neotropics and is now a part of the Regional and extraregional institutions, and programmes landscape. In Barbados, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman involved in some aspect of invasive species in the and South Florida, the Casuarina has spread rapidly Caribbean (taken from Kairo, et al., 2003): along beaches, which, as a result, are being eroded. This Barbados Programme of Action: has caused serious economic problems, given that most http://www.unep.ch/islands/dsidspoa.htm; http://www. Caribbean Islands depend on beach tourism as one of antenna.nl/ecsiep/lome/barblome.html their principal industries. In addition, Casuarina also affects BirdLife International: http://www.birdlife.net/CAB marine turtles as they may become entangled in the tree International: http://www.cabi.org/ roots and it is impossible to dig nests. Casuarina has also affected American crocodile nesting sites adversely. Caribbean Conservation Association: Furthermore, Casuarina pollen can also cause human http://www.ccanet.net/ respiratory irritation. Caribbean Natural Resources Institute: http://www.canari.org/ Sources of further information Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development In the UK and Germany, there are voluntary codes of (CNIRD): http://www.cnird.org practice regarding the use of non-native plants. The Caribbean Regional Environment Programme (CREP): principles in these codes can be applied elsewhere: http://crep.ccanet.net/ • UK code of practice for use of horticultural plants to help CARIFORUM: http://cariforum.org/about.htm prevent spread of invasives: www.defra.gov.uk/;

124 UK OTEnvironmental Charters:http://www.ukotcf.org/ The NatureConservancy(TNC): http://nature.org (CARICOM): http://www.caricom.org/ The CaribbeanCommunityand CommonMarket http://www.acsaec.org/ The AssociationofCaribbeanStates(ACS): http://www.oecs.org/about.htm Organization ofEasternCaribbeanStates(OECS): Organization ofAmericanStates(OAS):http://www.oas.org/ Island ResourcesFoundation(IRF):http://www.irf.org/ http://www.iabin.net/ Inter-American BiodiversityInformationNetwork(IABIN): http://globalecology.stanford.edu/DGE/Gisp/index.html Global StrategyonInvasiveAlienSpecies(GISP): (FAO): http://www.fao.org Food andAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNations

125 recommendations ontheproductsdiscussed here. advised tochecklocaland international regulationsand 2012, itmayhavechanged sincethen.Hoteliersare believed tobecorrectatthe timeofgoingtopressin While theinformationpresented inthisfactsheetwas World WildlifeFund(WWF):http://www.panda.org http://www.iucn.org International UnionforConservationofNature(IUCN): Convention andSPAWProtocol:http://www.cep.unep.org/ UNEP CaribbeanEnvironmentProgrammeandCartagena Committee (ECLAC):http://www.eclacpos.org/Default.htm Caribbean– CaribbeanDevelopmentandCo-operation UN EconomicCommissionforLatinAmericaandthe http://www.ukotcf.org/ UK OverseasTerritoriesConservationForum:

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends TRAFFIC RECOMMENDS Factsheet 13: Activities and excursions

Many tourist activities increasingly involve interaction with WILDLIFE WATCHING the natural world, as more people become interested in Many types of wildlife are tourist attractions in their own conservation issues, or wish to experience the thrill of seeing right. In various parts of the world, there are popular unfamiliar wildlife close-up. Consequently, many local excursions to watch whales, marine turtles, the African ‘Big companies have sprung up offering eco-tourism and hunting 5’ mammals, rare birds and many other creatures. However, and fishing opportunities to appeal to visitors. Indeed, many although various voluntary certification programmes are hotel guests may have chosen to stay in a particular hotel in place around the world, no global standard exists for simply to be close to a particular wildlife-interaction opportunity. tour operators. As a result, hotel tour desks should try to As a result, many of these kinds of activities will be on offer ascertain whether the operator adheres to the following through the hotel or resort’s tour desk, or local operators guidelines. Do they: will wish to advertise their services around the hotel. • Employ knowledgeable guides, where possible from the When choosing which local partners to work with (or when local area? setting up your own tours), a number of points should be considered in relation to the effect on local wildlife and the • Ensure that their tours cause minimum disruption and sustainability of any activities. disturbance to the animals involved (as well as limit © Stephen DAWSON / WWF-Canon

126 • • • addition, theyshouldhelptheirclientsto: Any diveoperatorsshouldbefullyqualifiedandlicensed.In DIVING ANDSNORKELLING not touchingtheanimalswhenswimming,etc.). (such asonlyapproachinginvesselstoacertaindistance, exists, ideallyshouldvoluntarilyadoptsimilarpractices should abidebytheserules,andwherenolocallegislation minimum disturbancetotheanimals.Tourcompanies make surethatcontactwithwhalesanddolphinscauses Many countrieshavenationalcodesofconductinplaceto shark speciesorseals)isworthyoffurthercomment. (and theobservanceofothermarineanimalssuchas guidelines, whaleanddolphinwhale-sharkwatching In additiontofollowingtheabovegeneralwildlifewatching SWIMMING WHALE, DOLPHINANDWHALE-SHARKWATCHING/ aware ofwhichtheseare. always somethatdonot–hopefullyconservationistswillbe Although mosteco-touroperatorsactresponsibly,thereare any adviceorexperiencewiththeoperatorsinquestion. international conservationorganisationsiftheyhave Where possible,itisalsoworthaskinganyrelevantlocal/ • • • •

interaction withprotectedspecies? conservation andlocalpeople? they interactwith/observethefeaturedwildlife? cultures andcommunities)? the impactonwiderlocalenvironmentandto better appreciate it;and leave liveshells,reeffishand animalsastheyare; do notrestorstandoncorals andotherfragilemarinelife; making surethattheyviewwildlifefromasafedistanceand Observe marinewildlife(suchascoralreefs)withoutimpact, Learn abouttheunderwaterenvironment sotheycan Avoid touchinganddamaging lifeontheseabedand Have properlicensesfortheiractivities? Adhere tolocal/internationalregulationsinrelation Provide directfinancialorin-kindbenefitsfor Limit thenumbersofparticipatingvisitorsandtime

127 The hotelshouldtrytoensurethatanylocalhunting of largeanimalssuchasbears,bigcats,elephants,etc. hunting, orasbig-gamewhenreferringtothepursuit the gameanimal).Consequentlyitisalsoknownastrophy for itstrophyvalue(i.e.anitempreparedfromthebodyof animal (generallybyatourist,particularlyforeignone) Sport huntingcanbebroadlydefinedastheofan SPORT HUNTING • SPORT FISHING • • • • • • • answer thefollowingquestions: operators whoseservicesitendorsescansatisfactorily areas (andalso forvarioustypesoffreshwater fish).Any Sport fishingisapopulartourist activityinmanycoastal

relation toconditionsofequipmentanddivingrequirements. and ensurethatsafetyconsiderationsarestrictlyappliedin local communityandtheconservation oflocalwildlife? recognised nationalprofessionalhuntingassociation? part oftheirservice? they helptoprovidetouristswiththesedocumentsas documentation, forexample,ifexportingatrophy)?Do required byhunters(foreignwillrequireCITES status ofhuntedanimals)? good-sized trophiesareanindicatorofthepopulation regulations (theseareusuallynationalrequirements– other huntingregulations,etc.? fully-trained huntingstaff? recommend suchanactivity,despiteitslegality. conservation statusofthatspecies,ahotelmaynot in aparticularcountry,butduetoconcernsaboutthe In somecases,however,itmaybelegaltohuntaspecies Provide adviceonsafetyissuestoconsiderwhendiving How doesthecompany’shuntingoperationbenefit Is thehuntingoperatoramemberof(oraffiliatedwith) Is thecompanyawareofallnecessarypaperwork Do theyabidebyspecies-specificminimumtrophysize Does theoperatorabidebynationalhuntingquotasand Is thecompanyproperlylicensed,withprofessional, Is itlegaltohuntthespeciesconcernedincountry?

128 http://www.seabelize.org/pdf_files/whaleshark_guidelines.pdf Whale SharkTourismInteraction Guidelines: el2id=6336&rootid=6336&depth=1&toptab=3 Whale Sharks):http://www.whalesharkproject.org/v.asp?lev Whale SharkProject(CodeofConductforDivingwith file9_50395.pdf Publications/Program_Publications/Whales/asset_upload_ Observación deCetáceos:http://www.ifaw.org/ Resumen delTallerdeTurismoResponsable ECOL-131.pdf Normas%20Oficiales%20Mexicanas%20vigentes/NOM- en México:http://www.semarnat.gob.mx/leyesynormas/ NOM-131-SEMARNAT sobreObservacióndeBallenas http://www.ifaw.org/ International FundforAnimalWelfare(IFAW): caribbeanwhalefriends.org/whale_watching.htm Caribbean WhaleFriends,Watching:http://www. http://assets.panda.org/downloads/guidelinesen.pdf WWF’s guidelinesforcommunity-basedecotourism: story_details.php?select=58 guidelines: http://www.wdcs.org/connect/whale_watch/ Whale andDolphinConservationSociety–whalewatching http://www.fws.gov/permits/faqs/FaqA.shtml http://www.fws.gov/permits/; US FishandWildlifeService–permits,FAQs,etc.: http://www.iucnredlist.org/ IUCN RedListofThreatenedSpecies: http://www.iaato.org/wildlife.html overview oftheissuesandcanbeappliedmorewidely): apply toAntarcticmarinewildlife,theyalsoprovideauseful IAATO marinewildlifewatchingguidelines(althoughthese Sources offurtherinformation should beobeyed,andoverfishingofkeyspeciesavoided. local/international quotasorregulationsinregardtocatches Factsheet 13continued

129 AA%20142%20SCFI%202008%20Lineamientos%20 Normas%20Mexicanas%20Vigentes/NMX%20 http://www.semarnat.gob.mx/leyesynormas/normas/ de ActividadesconTiburónBallenaenMéxico): NMX-AA-142-SCFI-2008 (LineamientosparaelDesarrollo ine.gob.mx/publicaciones/libros/546/cap13.pdf con tiburónballena.Cárdenas-Torres2003):http://www2. recomendados paralasactividadesdeobservaciónynado Tiburón ballena(pg.374:Códigosdeconducta recommendations ontheproductsdiscussedhere. advised tochecklocalandinternationalregulations 2012, itmayhavechangedsincethen.Hoteliersare believed tobecorrectatthetimeofgoingpressin While theinformationpresentedinthisfactsheetwas tibur%C3%B3n%20ballena.pdf %20aprovechamiento%20sustentable%20%20

Part III: TRAFFIC Recommends Appendix 1: Communicating with a hotel’s internal and external stakeholders

Communication is a vital part of any biodiversity strategy, communicating about efforts to integrate biodiversity into both to explain to staff and suppliers what the strategy is and hotel management. Make sure that your staff: why it’s important, and to help guests and other stakeholders - know the basic facts about biodiversity and the understand the hotel’s actions and what they can do to help. contributions the hotel makes; Such communication can be integrated into your hotel’s overall communications and marketing practices. This appendix - show genuine interest and concern for biodiversity; and reviews the key components of an effective biodiversity - implement the practices and spirit of the biodiversity communications strategy, targeting your hotel’s internal and strategy in performing their duties. external stakeholders. To motivate staff, it can help to have a box in staff areas for Any communications strategy should be guided by two key “The Idea of the Week” or to have a yearly biodiversity award principles, which will help you determine the scope and for the best staff contribution. content of your communications: Targeting specific groups for biodiversity communications • Results first, communicate later: In general, it is better to communicate very little, or in a very low-key way, when first Although it is not the core business of hotels to influence starting to integrate biodiversity practices into management the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of their clients strategies, in order to have some results to share before towards biodiversity, the way a hotel conducts its business communicating extensively with any stakeholders. communicates a lot about its motivations and principles. To add extra value to each person’s experience, you may wish • Internal communication before external communication: to develop a client communication strategy, tailoring the It is important to use internal communication strategies to objectives and messages to a variety of target groups (see make sure that your staff is “on board” before explicitly Table A1 below).

Table A1: Segmentation of clients for biodiversity communication

Direct choice Indirect choice

Buyers (non-guests)

• Tour operators Indirect experience • Travel agencies • Conference and event companies

• Businesses

Buyers (guests) Guests (non–buyers) Direct • Individual leisure tourists • Package tourists experience • Transient business travellers • Conference participants • Business travellers

130 Communicating with non-guest buyers • Contributing to a positive attitude towards conservation Once you have substantially integrated biodiversity into your and sustainable use of biodiversity among guests, for management strategies and consider your contribution to example by the choice of decorative plants, live animals and conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity as part of your decoration in public areas, and plants, photos or paintings value proposition, you may wish to communicate this to your in guest rooms. An exhibition of local natural products, extra non-guest buyers, including tour operators, travel agencies, attention to the garden, and participation in local festivals conference and event companies, and other businesses. The that feature aspects of biodiversity may also positively objectives of this communication would include: influence the attitude of guests; and • Influencing the behaviour of clients, for example by posting • Increasing the knowledge of this target group about visible evidence and testimony that your shops and spas do conservation and sustainable use of local and global not offer for sale souvenirs, clothing or other products that biodiversity, for example by providing information about are derived from endangered species or species forbidden the added value of being close to a national park or using for trade by CITES, or by showing that your tour desk only certified products; offers responsible recreational activities and subcontracts • Contributing to a more positive attitude among non-guest with companies that can guide diving, fishing, surfing or buyers about conservation and the sustainable use of wildlife watching activities in a responsible way. biodiversity, for example by providing photos of the hotel and its surroundings showing the hotel garden, exhibitions There are three main strategies that hotels can use for of local products, children’s activities and other biodiversity- communicating about biodiversity actions. You may choose to related topics; and use a single one of these strategies, or combine elements of all three. In all cases, it is important to realize that biodiversity • Influencing the destination choices of non-guest buyers awareness raising and learning is only credible and effective by linking your efforts in the field of biodiversity to special when a hotel also makes a genuine effort to practice what it groups, such as student excursion groups, governmental, preaches. Serious contradictions between business practices academic or NGO conferences, guests of the Ministry of and the message embodied in external communications may Environment, and others. Testimonials from previous guests cause problems. Guest communication strategies include: can be used for this purpose. • Invest in awareness raising and informal learning: Communicating with hotel guests Using this strategy, you would communicate about your In addition to communicating about your biodiversity biodiversity actions as a separate topic, rather than as strategy to non-guest buyers, you should also develop a a part of other technical management interventions. For communication strategy for guests. The objectives of this example, decorating the lobby with unique indigenous strategy would include: plants or an aquarium with species representative of inland or coastal waters may informally educate clients about local • Increasing the knowledge of guests about conservation and biodiversity, especially if the plant pots and the aquarium sustainable use of local and global biodiversity, for example have small explanatory signs. The choice of magazines on through the choice of magazines you offer in the lobby, the the reading table in the lobby may include a variety of nature choice of certified food products on your menu, the choice magazines (prioritise magazines and newspapers that are of films and games in your video programme and the kind of produced sustainably), while the reception area may offer activities offered for children; clients a tray with local apples or other fruits, accompanied

131 Appendix 1 continued

by a small sign reading: ‘Nature welcomes you to our hotel. intermediaries. A hotel that integrates biodiversity into Please help yourself, and thank you for your wise use of its management may choose to itself communicate in a nature.’ The paintings and photos on the walls in public very low-key or minimal way, while instead focusing on areas and guest rooms may all be selected around the offering opportunities for others to communicate about theme of biodiversity to raise awareness about the richness its actions. Customers may be pleased to see in local of local biodiversity. The advertisements in the elevator may newspapers or on local TV that your hotel is contributing include an invitation to visit a national park, local zoo or to biodiversity conservation or engaging with local botanical garden. The in-room video programme might offer organisations or the agriculture or fishing communities. nature films. The usual sign about re-using towels in the Good relations with the mass media are a precondition bathroom may refer to the impact on local biodiversity, e.g. for such an approach. In general, creating good word of ‘Thank you for contributing to the preservation of the pristine mouth messages is an effective means to have others tell beauty of our lagoon.’ An exhibition of locally produced guests about your biodiversity efforts. When a guest visits ‘natural’ products, may provide clients with exposure to the another establishment in town and hears, ‘Oh you are in wide variety of resources offered by nature in the vicinity of staying in a hotel that really cares for our biodiversity here,’ the hotel. If you have many children among your clients, you that message has a lot of positive impact. To create such might offer special activities, developed and organised in positive messages, it is important to regularly engage partnership with local organisations, for children to discover in informal and formal communication with key opinion biodiversity in and around the hotel, or offer a supply of leaders in the local community. Hotels may also give a biodiversity computer games and videos for kids. communication role to local or international conservation organisations by entering into special partnerships. For • Do good and let your guests know it: Under this strategy, example, photos of local bird species in guest rooms communication supports the various actions to integrate may be from a competition among local photographers biodiversity in the hotel management cycle, and caring organised by the local society for the protection of birds for biodiversity is highlighted as part of the unique selling and sponsored by the hotel. A local festival may feature points of the hotel. This may involve revisiting your in its street parade special aspects of local biodiversity position statement for corporate communications, or, sponsored by the hotel. You may also wish to be associated where biodiversity is part of your hotel’s core brand value, with a local nature film festival or a music festival with association with a specific species or resource that is then compositions inspired by nature. used in your corporate communications. Some hotels might introduce a special category of ‘biodiversity rooms’ – with Developing effective biodiversity messages and means of tailored greenery, decoration, magazines, videos and snacks communication in the refrigerator – from which a percentage of the price goes to a local or international conservation organisation. Formulating effective messages requires proper knowledge of Other ways to communicate about biodiversity actions the issue, as well as a clear understanding of the knowledge, might include a sign in the hotel shop informing clients that attitudes or behaviour of your target group. It is important to all souvenirs in the shop are ‘CITES-proof’ and will not lead make your message interesting and compelling to the target to problems with customs officers on departure or arrival, or audience. Although conservation is important, it isn’t always short explanations on the menu in the restaurant noting that interesting for non-experts. Developing communication only products with an eco-label are used in food production. messages is both an analytical and a creative process, and thinking creatively is possible only when there is a clear • Do good and let others tell your guests: This picture of the current situation and the changes to be communications strategy focuses on the use of accomplished. A brainstorming session can be a good way

132 to explore creative message ideas and pre-test any proposed Preparing a realistic and achievable communication strategies. communications budget In general, hotel managers should be able to phrase key As part of the development of a biodiversity strategy, you messages about the importance of biodiversity to their staff, should decide on the role and approach of communication to suppliers, clients and others. These messages should be in and estimate the costs of a communication strategy. It is simple language and should answer questions such as ‘What is better to start small rather than fail because of a lack of funds; biodiversity?’ and ‘Why bother to protect it?’ quality, time and money are mutually dependent parts of While the most effective way to communicate about a communication. When calculating the communication budget, biodiversity strategy is for management and staff to ‘practice you should consider the following factors: what they preach’ in terms of the way the hotel is run and • Personnel: How many employees need to be involved and operated on a day-to-day basis, there are many other ways how much time do they have to work on the project? Is it to communicate this message, including signs on trees in the necessary to hire external consultants, organisations and garden, pots with decorative plants, or an extra line in the experts, and, if so, how much will this cost? menu or on the list of products in the spa. The internet is a • Material costs: What are the costs to design and produce valuable source for special means of communication to get the various means of communication? across a biodiversity message. Possible resources include: • Distribution costs: What are the costs to distribute these • Interpretation sign boards for garden and grounds: means of communication? http://www.snh.org.uk/wwo/interpretation/index.html • Media costs: What are the costs to publish in newspapers • http:// Biodiversity computer games for kids: and advertise on radio and TV? countdown2010.net/games/ • Organisational costs: What are the costs of office supplies, • http://www.arkive.org/ Videos about biodiversity: mailings, telephone calls, copying, etc.? • Videos about sustainable development: • ‘Safety budget’: How much should be set aside for http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5NiTN0chj0&NR=1 unexpected costs?

Monitoring and evaluating your communications strategies It is important to monitor and evaluate your biodiversity communications strategy through regular customer satisfaction surveys and other means of tracking customer value, such as electronic monitoring of video or menu choices, or the number of requests for special excursions, children’s activities or other biodiversity-related offerings. Monitoring and evaluation will be most effective if a baseline study of knowledge, attitudes and practices among the target audiences is conducted before the communications strategy begins, to provide a basis for comparison. In addition, appropriate success indicators should be identified when the communication objectives are first formulated, to increase the accuracy and effectiveness of the evaluation.

133 Appendix 2: Working with partners in the destination

Hotels can take many actions themselves to help preserve major influence over most aspects of a destination, from the biodiversity, but there are cases where effective actions types of development they encourage and where it is built, to may be limited by factors that are outside the control of any infrastructure, community links and biodiversity management. individual hotel. For example, a destination’s policies on the By demonstrating your own successful internal biodiversity protection of the environment and biodiversity, including actions, your hotel can help to influence public authorities to protected areas, and its approach to the planning and make biodiversity conservation and sustainable use a higher operation of infrastructure (e.g. new development areas, priority in their planning and management of a destination. waste handling and management, water use, storm water The following are some of the ways that public authorities can management, etc.) all have impacts on biodiversity and are of contribute to conservation. concern to hotels. This appendix describes the ways that public authorities, Protect biodiversity from the impacts of tourism development community groups and non-governmental organisations and activities by: (NGOs) can support biodiversity conservation and sustainable • Undertaking positive planning to identify space and use in destinations, and how hotels can work in partnership locations for new developments that will contribute to with these stakeholders to promote biodiversity conservation. sustainable tourism, protect biodiversity and take into account predicted changes in conditions, such as the How community organisations and NGOs can effects of climate change; support biodiversity conservation and sustainable • Developing and enforcing regulations to ensure that use in a destination damage to biodiversity is minimised when new tourism Local organisations work on a variety of issues, including developments and infrastructure are constructed; community development and biodiversity conservation, • Establishing systems for visitor management to control and can be a valuable interface between hotels and local visitor numbers and behaviour, for example to prevent communities. These organisations can contribute to physical damage, wildlife disturbance or littering; and biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in a variety of ways, including: • Designating and maintaining conservation areas.

• Raising awareness about biodiversity in local communities; Support biodiversity conservation and the maintenance • Promoting more sustainable production and of high-quality habitats and ecosystems as tourism harvesting practices; resources by:

• Encouraging and managing biodiversity conservation • Improving information and interpretation, including developing activities; and events programmes and training local people as guides;

• Developing sustainable local sources for supplies of some • Preparing an overall biodiversity plan for the destination that products, such as vegetables and fruit, by working with local integrates actions by hotels and other businesses, as well as farmers and community groups. those of national and local conservation agencies and NGOs;

• Undertaking biodiversity conservation and restoration How public authorities can support conservation and projects at specific sites; and sustainable use in a destination • Raising revenues for conservation from tourism, including While local organisations may be considered the more obvious through the use of admission charges and encouraging choices for partnerships on biodiversity, public authorities voluntary donations. have significant influence over issues that affect biodiversity, and can be valuable allies in any biodiversity conservation Encourage and support hotels and other businesses in taking efforts (see Appendix 3 for Caribbean CITES Management biodiversity actions by: Authorities’ contact information). Public authorities have a

134 • Providing hotels and other businesses with support to help • Encouraging responsible visitor behaviour and awareness of them introduce biodiversity actions, including: the need to protect biodiversity in the destination, including by provision of: - Training courses and technical advice; - Good-quality guiding, where possible - Guidance manuals supplemented by relevant local involving local people; information; - Interpretative events; - Incentives and financial support for biodiversity actions, such as subsidies and technical support for conservation - Visitor centres, where appropriate, containing creative activities; and interpretative facilities; and

- Extending and sharing knowledge and good practice for - Relevant information in leaflets, on signs, etc. biodiversity conservation. Setting up partnerships • Assisting hotels and other businesses to develop partnerships with other organisations and community By setting up partnerships with public authorities, community groups to support local biodiversity conservation and to groups and associations, hotels can become involved in undertake actions to protect biodiversity in the destination. biodiversity actions that are of benefit to the entire destination. To establish a new partnership, you should start by asking how Promote the use by hotels of local products linked to working together for biodiversity protection could help each sustainable use of biodiversity by: partner in achieving their objectives. Each partner should be prepared to discuss ideas for projects that could be carried out • Helping local communities benefit from biodiversity by in a partnership, to explain why these projects are needed, how helping them to establish activities and enterprises based much they would cost, and what their benefits would be. on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, for example small businesses that can supply hotels The decision to set up a partnership usually implies a with sustainably produced vegetables and fruit or offer commitment. This commitment means there may be formal sustainable tourism activities; and agreements developed and signed, there may be financial or other obligations involved, and the new relationship can mean • Working with hotels to understand their needs for quantity changes in the way each organisation works. For example, and quality of products that can be produced locally, and when a hotel takes the initiative to have special “biodiversity using this information to increase the suitability of local rooms,” this is often done in partnership with a conservation supplies for hotels. organisation. The hotel also can enter into a partnership with a local association to delegate the development and Raising awareness of biodiversity among visitors, businesses implementation of special “edu-tainment” activities for hotel and local communities by: guests and their children, such as games, bird watching, • Setting up awareness-raising campaigns to encourage gardening etc. protection of biodiversity in the destination; Some of the key factors that make partnerships and support • Providing local communities, schools and businesses activities effective include: with information about biodiversity conservation and • Identifying key and reliable representatives of main sustainable use; stakeholders that should be involved in developing a • Ensuring effective local information delivery and partnership. This is particularly relevant when working with interpretation; indigenous peoples organisations;

• Highlighting biodiversity resources in the destination, for • Defining clear roles and responsibilities, including on sharing example by producing maps and leaflets, and installing resources and accountability of actions; signs to provide information and interpretation; and

135 Appendix 2 continued

• Ensuring that all organisations involved, including the hotel, schools, government agencies, universities, conservation benefit from working together, giving an incentive for them associations and other stakeholders. There are a number of all to participate; different ways to track biodiversity activities, including:

• Involving partners at an early stage, so that they can - Web searches; contribute their ideas and help with planning of activities; - Subscribing to and scanning newspapers, magazines and • Working though existing networks that your hotel may newsletters (i.e. hard copy and/or electronic versions); already be associated with; - Collecting project documents and reports, brochures and • Choosing projects that are realistic and achievable in relation educational materials; to the resources of the partners and organisations who are - Visiting institutions, associations and local initiatives to working together, and are relevant to their own objectives; get to know their work; • Selecting activities and projects where results are easily - Attending conferences and biodiversity-related events; visible to all who are involved, which are realistic and achievable, and have strong leadership and wide community - Conducting informal meetings with colleagues and peers support; and (lunch-time discussions, recreational hours, etc.);

• Acknowledging in all communications the contributions and - Holding regular meetings with associations; and support from all partners. - Checking calendars of events.

There are many ways that you can begin to make links • Communicating about your hotel’s biodiversity initiatives: with groups and organisations with which you can build Once your hotel is genuinely integrating biodiversity into partnerships for conservation, including: management strategies, it is important to inform local stakeholders about these efforts. This can be done through • Networking: Through networking, hotels and their potential emails, letters, phone calls, short reports or articles, partners can exchange information and establish personal newsletters, informational meetings and presentations. connections. Networks increasingly are seen as playing an • Consulting on specific issues: A hotel does not necessarily important role in the way problems are solved, organisations have all the knowledge to integrate biodiversity into its are run and the degree to which individuals achieve their management systems. In many cases, local conservation goals. There are various forms of networking, including organisations or communities can advise you on topics such tracking, informing, consulting, supporting, collaborating as which fish species to choose for a biodiversity-friendly and partnering (in order of increasing mutual engagement). menu, which plant species to use in order to integrate • Tracking initiatives and organisations: Tracking allows local biodiversity into your garden and public areas, or the a hotel to know what biodiversity initiatives are occurring selection of magazines in the lobby. at the local level, what biodiversity conservation or • Collaborating on conservation initiatives: Your hotel awareness-raising activities are being undertaken by also can collaborate with other partners on conservation national and international associations, universities, natural activities or events, for example to celebrate Earth Day, history museums, etc., and who the key contacts are and International Biodiversity Day, World Wetland Day or how to reach them. One of the advantages of tracking World Tourism Day, or in cleaning up a beach, coral reef or what is happening, building relations with the various wetland. You might also choose to sponsor an exhibition actors interested in a cause, and engaging stakeholders in the local natural history or science museum, or an in a proactive way, is that it can allow you to coordinate Environmental Film Festival. During these events, your activities, reduce duplication and support many people who hotel can have its own biodiversity programme or host a can be engaged in working constructively with your hotel. programme jointly with other organisations. These people may include representatives of protected areas, zoos, botanical gardens, local communities,

136 Appendix 3: Caribbean CITES Management Authorities

Antigua and Barbuda Aruba Accession: 08/07/1997 Dependent territory of: Netherlands Territorio dependiente Entry into force: 06/10/1997 de: Países Bajos (Last update: 11/05/2010) Ratification: 19/04/1984 (entry into force: 29/03/1995) Management Authority (Last update: 28/06/2011) 1 . Ambassador Ms Diann Black-Layne Chief Environment Officer Management Authorities Environment Division Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba (Dutch Caribbean) Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and the Environment Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture § Innovation Tel: +1 (268) 462 46 25; 462 62 65; 562 25 68 Department of Nature Fax: +1 (268) 462 46 25 Attn: Mr Marcel van Nijnatten Email: mail @ environmentdivision.info; dcblack11 @ yahoo. National Coordinator CITES com Tel: +31 (70) 378 40 93 Web: http://www.environmentdivision.info Fax: +31 (70) 378 61 46 Email: m.j.h.van.nijnatten @ minlnv.nl

Fauna Aruba Management Authority Veterinary Services Barcadera 1 ORANJESTAD Tel: +297 (58) 5 04 00; +297 (58) 5 04 00 Fax: +297 (58) 5 18 28

Flora Directeur van de Directie Landbouw, Veeteelt en Visserij (Director of the Directorate of Agriculture, Cattle-breeding and Fishery) Piedra Plat 114-A SANTA CRUZ Tel: +297 (58) 5 81 02; +297 (58) 5 81 02; 5 64 73 Fax: +297 (58) 5 56 39

137 Appendix 3 continued

Bahamas Belize Accession: 20/06/1979 Succession: 19/08/1986 Entry into force: 18/09/1979 Entry into force: 21/09/1981 (Last update: 31/07/2007) (previously Party to CITES as part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland since 31/10/1976 ) Management Authority (Last update: 05/01/2011) 1 Department of Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources Management Authority Tel: +1 (242) 325 74 13 1 . Mr Eugenio Wilber Sabido Fax: +1 (242) 325 39 60 Chief Forest Officer Forest Department Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment Tel: +501 822 15 24; 822 20 79 Barbados Fax: +501 822 15 23 Accession: 09/12/1992 Email: cfo @ mnrei.gov.bz; fdsecretary @ mnrei.gov.bz Entry into force: 09/03/1993 (Last update: 31/05/2007)

Management Authority Colombia 1 . Mr Steve A. Devonish Ratification: 31/08/1981 Director Entry into force: 29/11/1981 Natural Heritage Department (Last update: 09/11/2010) Ministry of Energy and the Environment Tel: +1 (246) 438 77 61 Management Authorities Fax: +1 (246) 438 77 67 1a . Dra. Patti Londoño Jaramillo Email: heritage @ barbados.gov.bb Viceministra de Asuntos Multilaterales Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores Tel: +57 (1) 381 40 50 / 52 Fax: +57 (1) 381 47 47 (ext. 2500)

138 Costa Rica Cuba Ratification: 30/06/1975 Accession: 20/04/1990 Entry into force: 28/09/1975 Entry into force: 19/07/1990 (Last update: 07/02/2011) (Last update: 06/01/2011)

Management Authority Management Authority 1 .José Joaquín Calvo Domingo 1a) Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnologia y Medio Ambiente Coordinator Nacional de Vida Silvestre Centro de Inspección y Control Ambiental (CICA) Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación Atn: Ing. Jorge Alvarez Alvarez Ministerio del Ambiente y Energía Director Tel: +506 22 56 09 17 (ext. 167; 153); +506 25 22 65 49 Tel: +53 (7) 202 75 73; 203 19 36-38 (ext. 243 & 248) Fax: +506 22 56 24 36 Fax: +53 (7) 202 70 30 Email: citescostarica @ sinac.go.cr; joaquin.calvo @ sinac. Email: jorgeal @ orasen.co.cu go.cr 1b) Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnologia y Medio Ambiente Centro de Inspección y Control Ambiental (CICA) Atn: Msc. José Alberto Alvarez Lemus Especialista principal Curaçao Tel: +53 (7) 202 75 73; 203 19 36-38 (ext. 243 & 248) Dependent territory of: Netherlands Fax: +53 (7) 202 70 30 (entry into force: 06/07/1999) Email: joseal @ orasen.co.cu

Curacao government Ministry Health, Environment and Nature Dominica Klein Kwartier 33 Accession: 04/08/1995 CURACAO Entry into force: 02/11/1995 Tel: +599 973 814 66 (Last update : 18/05/2010) Fax: +599 973 734 66 Email: infogmn @ curacao-gov.an Management Authority 1 .Mr Lloyd Gabriel Pascal Director of the Environmental Coordinating Unit Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, Planning and Fisheries Tel: +1 (767) 448 24 01 (ext. 5256); +1 (767) 266 52 56 Fax: +1 (767) 448 45 77 Email: agriext @ cwdom.dm

139 Appendix 3 continued

Grenada Guatemala Accession: 30/08/1999 Ratification: 07/11/1979 Entry into force: 28/11/1999 Entry into force: 05/02/1980 (Last update: 10/06/2010) (Last update: 06/01/2011)

Management Authority Management Authority 1 . Mr Aden Forteau 1 . Lic. Jorge Luis Galindo Arévalo Chief Forestry Officer Secretario Ejecutivo Forestry and National Parks Department Consejo Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (CONAP) Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and fisheries Tel: +502 24 22 67 00 Tel: +1 473 440 27 08; +1 473 440 29 34 Fax: +502 22 38 31 18 Email: michael_forteau @ yahoo.co.uk Email: jlu @ conap.gob.gt

Guadeloupe Haití Dependent territory of: France Non-Party (Last update: 16/02/2009) Approval / Aprobación: 11/05/1978 Entry into force: 09/08/1978 Authority competent to issue comparable documentation (Last update : 14/01/2011) Fishery and Aquaculture 1a) Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Ressources Naturelles et Management Authority du Développement Rural 1 . Ministère de l’écologie, du développement durable, des Direction des Pêches et Aquaculture transports et du logement Attn: Pierre Guy Lafontant, Ing-Agr. Sous-direction de la protection et de la valorisation des Tel: +509 34 05 33 72 espèces et de leurs milieux Email: [email protected] Bureau des échanges internationaux d’espèces menacées 1b) Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Ressources Naturelles et Tel: +33 (1) 40 81 31 68 du Développement Rural Fax: +33 (1) 40 81 75 41 Direction des Pêches et Aquaculture Email: cites @ developpement-durable.gouv.fr Attn: Jean Robert Badio, Ing-Agr. Web: http://www.ecologie.gouv.fr Tel: +509 35 58 05 60 Email: [email protected] Direction régionale de l’environnement de Guadeloupe 1c) Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Ressources Naturelles et Cité Guillard du Développement Rural Chemin des Bougainvilliers Direction des Pêches et Aquaculture F-97102 BASSE-TERRE CEDEX Attn: Laurent Mersier, Ing-Agr. Tel: +33 (5) 90 99 35 60 Tel: +509 36 62 54 86 Fax: +33 (5) 90 99 35 65 Email: [email protected]

140 Honduras Turks and Caicos Islands Accession: 15/03/1985 Non-Party Entry into force: 13/06/1985 (Last update: 31/05/2004) (Last update : 12/01/2011) Authority competent to issue comparable documentation Management Authority 1 . Department of Environment and Coastal Resources 1 . Ministro Jacobo Regalado Weizemblut (DECR) Secretaría de Agricultura y Ganadería Chief Minister’s Office Despacho Ministerial Ministry of Natural Resources Tel: +504 (2) 22 39 83 94; 22 31 19 21; Cel: +504 (9) 991 43 Turks and Caicos Islands Government 70 Tel: +1 (649) 946 28 55; 946 29 70 Fax: +504 (2) 31 15 47; 32 53 75 Fax: +1 (649) 946 18 95 Email: jregalado @ sag.gob.hn; jregalado @ globalnet.hn Email: decr @ tciway.tc (Ministro); jsuazo25 @ yahoo.es (Ing. Jose Julian Suazo / Oficina Nacional CITES : (504)(2) 22 35 84 48 )

Virgin Islands Dependent territory of: United States of America Caymen Islands Ratification: 14/01/1974 Dependent territory of: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Entry into force: 01/07/1975 Northern Ireland (Last update: 11/05/2010) Management Authorities Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Management Authority Bio-diversity Programme U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Tel: +44 (117) 372 36 00 Division of Management Authority Fax: +44 (117) 372 82 06 Tel: Office of the Chief: +1 (703) 358 20 93; Email: cites.ukma @ defra.gsi.gov.uk Branch of CITES Operations: +1 (703) 358 20 95; Web: http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/wildlife/trade- Branch of Permits: 1 (800) 358 21 04 toll-free within the crime/cites/index.htm United States; otherwise +1 (703) 358 21 04 Cayman Islands / Islas Caimán Fax: Office of Chief, DMA: +1 (703) 358 22 80; Ministry of Agriculture, Communications, Environment and Branch of CITES Operations: +1 (703) 358 22 98; Natural Resources Branch of Permits: +1 (703) 358 22 81 Government Administration Building Email: managementauthority @ fws.gov (general/général) Tel: +1 (345) 914 24 12; 949 79 00 (ext. 2412) Web: http://international.fws.gov Telex: 4260 cigovt cp Fax: +1 (345) 949 29 22 Email: aecw @ candw.ky

141 Appendix 3 continued

Jamaica México Accession: 23/04/1997 Accession: 02/07/1991 Entry into force: 22/07/1997 Entry into force: 30/09/1991 (Last update: 20/05/2010) (Last update: 16/07/2010)

Management Authority Management Authority 1 . Natural Resources Conservation Authority 1 .M.V.Z. Martín Vargas Prieto c/o National Environment and Planning Agency Director General de Vida Silvestre Tel: +1 (876) 754 75 40 Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales Fax: +1 (876) 754 75 94 (SEMARNAT) Email: ceo @ nepa.gov.jm; ystrong @ nepa.gov.jm Tel: +52 (55) 56 24 33 06/09 Web: http://www.nepa.gov.jm Fax: +52 (55) 56 24 36 42 Email: martin.vargas @ semarnat.gob.mx Web: http://www.semarnat.gob.mx/vs/ Martinique Dependent territory of: France Approval: 11/05/1978 Nicaragua Entry into force: 09/08/1978 (Last update : 14/01/2011) Accession: 06/08/1977 Entry into force: 04/11/1977 Management Authority (Last update: 31/10/2007) 1 . Ministère de l’écologie, du développement durable, des transports et du logement Management Authority Sous-direction de la protection et de la valorisation des 1 . René Salvador Castellón espèces et de leurs milieux Ministerio del Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (MARENA) Bureau des échanges internationaux d’espèces menacées Tel: +505 (2) 33 11 13 Tel: +33 (1) 40 81 31 68 Fax: +505 (2) 33 11 13 Fax: +33 (1) 40 81 75 41 Email: citesni @ marena.gob.ni Email: cites @ developpement-durable.gouv.fr Web: http://www.ecologie.gouv.fr

Direction régionale de l’environnement de Martinique Immeuble Massal 4, boulevard de Verdun F-97200 FORT-DE-FRANCE Tel: +33 (5) 96 71 25 08 Fax: +33 (5) 96 71 25 00

142 Panama Dominican Republic Ratification: 17/08/1978 Accession: 17/12/1986 Entry into force : 15/11/1978 Entry into force: 17/03/1987 (Last update: 25/05/2011) (Last update: 24/11/2010)

Management Authority Management Authority 1a) Ing. Edgar Chacón 1a) Ing. Bernabé Mañón Rossi Director de Áreas Protegidas y Vida Silvestre Viceministro Encargado de Áreas Protegidas y Biodiversidad Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente (ANAM) Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales Tel: Fax: + 507 500 08 39; + 507 500 08 55 (ext.6877) Tel: +1 (809) 472 42 04 Email: e.chacon @ anam.gob.pa Fax: +1 (809) 472 40 12 Web: http://www.anam.gob.pa Email: areas.protegidas @ ambiente.gob.do; eleuterio. martinez @ ambiente.gob.do; eleuterioporlavida @ gmail.com 1b) Sra Ibelice Añino Web: http://www.medioambiente.gob.do Jefa del Departamento de Biodiversidad y Vida Silvestre 1b) Ing. José Manuel Mateo Féliz Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente (ANAM) Director de Biodiversidad y Vida Silvestre Tel: Fax: + 507 500 08 39; + 507 500 08 55 (ext.6877) Secretaría de Estado de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Email: i.anino @ anam.gob.pa Naturales Web: http://www.anam.gob.pa Tel: +1 (809) 472 42 04 Fax: +1 (809) 472 40 12 Email: direccion.biodiversidad @ medioambiente.gob.do; Puerto Rico jose.mateo @ ambiente.gob.do Web: http://www.medioambiente.gob.do Dependent territory of: United States of America 1c) Lic. Ivelisse Figueroa Ratification: 14/01/1974 Encargada del Depto. de Regulaciones y Controles de la Entry into force: 01/07/1975 Dirección de Biodiversidad y Vida Silvestre (Last update: 11/05/2010) Ministerio de Estado de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales Management Authority Tel: +1 (809) 472 42 04, ext 296 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fax: +1 (809) 472 40 12 Division of Management Authority Email: regulaciones.controles @ medioambiente.gob.do; Tel: Office of the Chief: +1 (703) 358 20 93; ivelisse.figueroa @ ambiente.gob.do Branch of CITES Operations: +1 (703) 358 20 95; Web: http://www.medioambiente.gob.do Branch of Permits: 1 (800) 358 21 04 toll-free within the United States; otherwise +1 (703) 358 21 04 Fax: Office of Chief, DMA: +1 (703) 358 22 80; Branch of CITES Operations: +1 (703) 358 22 98; Branch of Permits: +1 (703) 358 22 81 Email: managementauthority @ fws.gov (general/général) Web: http://international.fws.gov

143 Appendix 3 continued

Saint Barthelemy Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Dependent territory of: Netherlands Accession: 30/11/1988 Ratification: 19/04/1984 Entry into forcer: 28/02/1989 (entry into force: 29/03/1995) (Last update: 30/11/2005) (Last update: 28/06/2011) Management Authority Management Authorities 1 . Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba (Dutch Caribbean) Tel: +1 (784) 456 14 10 Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture § Innovation Fax: +1 (784) 457 16 88 Department of Nature Email: office.agriculture @ mail.gov.vc Attn: Mr Marcel van Nijnatten National Coordinator CITES Tel: +31 (70) 378 40 93 Saint Lucia Fax: +31 (70) 378 61 46 Accession: 15/12/1982 Email: m.j.h.van.nijnatten @ minlnv.nl Entry into force: 15/03/1983 (Last update: 31/10/2005)

Saint Kitts and Nevis Management Authority Accession: 14/02/1994 1a) Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Entry into force: 15/05/1994 Attn: Mr Martin Satney (Last update: 24/06/2010) Permanent Secretary Tel: +1 (758) 468 41 03; 452 25 26 Management Authority Fax: +1 (758) 453 63 14; 468 41 58 1 . Mr. Ashton Stanley Email: ps @ slumaffe.org Director of Agriculture Web: http://www.slumaffe.org Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Constituency Empowerment 1b) Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Tel: +1 (869) 465 23 35; 465 25 21 Attn: Mr Dunley Auguste Fax: +1 (869) 465 29 28 Deputy Permanent Secretary Email: doastk @ gmail.com; ashton.stanley @ gov.kn Tel: +1 (758) 468 41 21; 452 25 26 Fax: +1 (758) 453 63 14 Email: dps @ slumaffe.org Web: http://www.slumaffe.org

144 Trinidad and Tobago Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) Accession : 19/01/1984 Ratification: 24/10/1977 Entry into force : 18/04/1984 Entry into force: 22/01/1978 (Last update : 31/10/2007) (Last update: 30/11/2010)

Management Authorities Management Authorities 1 . Management Authority 1 . Abog. Solymar Helena González Castillo Ms Nadra Nathai-Gyan Oficina Administrativa de Permisiones Head of Wildlife Section Ministerio del Poder Popular para el Ambiente (MINAMB) Trinidad / Trinité Centro Simón Bolívar - El Silencio Tel: +1 (868) 662 51 14 Tel: +58 (212) 408 47 47; 49 93; 47 61; 48 12 Fax: +1 (868) 645 42 88 Fax: +58 (212) 408 18 41 Email: wildlife @ trinidad.net Email: sgonzalez @ minamb.gob.ve

For Tobago 2 . Ing. Alejandro Hitcher Marvaldi 2 . Mr Raye Sandy Ministerio del Poder Popular para el Ambiente (MINAMB) Director Centro Simón Bolívar - El Silencio Department of Natural Resources and the Environment Tel: +58 (212) 408 48 20; 48 21; 10 06 Tobago / Tabago Fax: +58 (212) 408 10 09 Tel: +1 (868) 639 22 34; 660 20 79 Email: ahitcher @ minamb.gob.ve; despachoambiente @ Fax: +1 (868) 639 17 46 gmail.com

Notes: United States of America To ensure you have up-to-date contact information, please visit Ratification: 14/01/1974 the following link to CITES’s official website: http://www.cites. Entry into force: 01/07/1975 org/cms/index.php/lang-en/component/cp/ (Last update: 11/05/2010) Note that this page includes contact information for all CITES Authorities, world-wide. Management Authority 1 . U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Management Authority Tel: Office of the Chief: +1 (703) 358 20 93; Branch of CITES Operations: +1 (703) 358 20 95; Branch of Permits: 1 (800) 358 21 04 toll-free within the United States; otherwise +1 (703) 358 21 04 Fax: Office of Chief, DMA: +1 (703) 358 22 80; Branch of CITES Operations: +1 (703) 358 22 98; Branch of Permits: +1 (703) 358 22 81 Email: managementauthority @ fws.gov (general/général) Web: http://international.fws.gov

145 Appendix 4: Promoting sustainable purchases of wildlife products

As an integral part of the tourism industry in the Caribbean, such as: The company offers the means for local small which generates significant revenue and potential benefits entrepreneurs to develop and sell sustainable products that for local communities, hoteliers have a huge responsibility to are based on the area’s nature, history, and culture (including improve their practices so as to lessen their potential negative food and drink, crafts, performance arts, agricultural products, impacts to the immediate social and natural environments. etc.). Purchasing policy favours environmentally friendly They also have an enormous opportunity to promote and lead products for building materials, capital goods, food, and sustainable and eco-friendly practices among their suppliers. consumables. The purchase of disposable and consumable goods is measured, and the business actively seeks ways to Being the final, or almost final, link within the supply chain reduce their use. Wildlife species are only harvested from the of many products such as food items, souvenirs, furniture, wild, consumed, displayed, sold, or internationally traded, as building materials, toiletries etc., hoteliers have the power to part of a regulated activity that ensures that their utilization promote change in a positive way, integrating the purchasing is sustainable. No captive wildlife is held, except for properly of products from sustainable sources and environmentally regulated activities, and living specimens of protected wildlife conscious suppliers. species are only kept by those authorized and suitably However, in order for hotel operators to be able to implement equipped to house and care for them humanely. The business such policies, hoteliers must first define what they consider to uses native species for landscaping and restoration, and be relevant sustainability criteria, and suppliers must also be takes measures to avoid the introduction of invasive alien encouraged to enter such a scheme. To achieve this, it is highly species. The business contributes to the support of biodiversity advisable to open communication channels to ask suppliers conservation, including supporting natural protected areas and about specific issues of possible concern/interest, such as: If areas of high biodiversity value. Interactions with wildlife must their company/operation implements energy saving/renewable not produce adverse effects on the viability of populations energy use, waste management, use of recycled materials or in the wild; and any disturbance of natural ecosystems any other environmentally conscious practices, and if so, what is minimized, rehabilitated, and there is a compensatory these are. If the products being supplied to the hotel come contribution to conservation management. Some might already from a sustainable source, and if so, ask for information and/ be implementing such measures, but this is bound to be a or documentation that supports this affirmation. If the supplier process, and thus necessary to create business incentives that is aware of and/or affiliated to any certification scheme such will encourage providers in the Caribbean to adhere to these as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in the case of wood good practices. products and timber, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) in case of seafood products, or Fair Wild certification for wild- Useful sources of information collected natural ingredients for food and pharmaceuticals. Tour Operators initiative (ToI) http://www.toinitiative.org The goal of course, would be for hotels eventually to purchase Mesoamerican Reef Tourism Initiative (MARTI) solely products from sustainable sources through the http://www.mesoamericanreef.org integration of sustainability principles into the selection criteria and service agreements of suppliers. Global Sustainable Tourism Council www.gstcouncil.org

Once the hotel management has its sustainability criteria Fair Wild Foundation http://www.fairwild.org defined, it is recommended to evaluate existing and potential Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) http://www.fairwild.org suppliers, continue communication, follow up on evaluations, and share relevant information to encourage the appropriation Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) http://www.fsc.org of these practices (e.g. on existing certification schemes and/ Supply Chain Engagement for Tour Operators: Three steps or sustainable practices). A useful tool can be the criteria toward sustainability http://www.toinitiative.org/fileadmin/docs/ defined by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council initiative, publications/SupplyChainEngagement.pdf which resulted from an extensive effort to support sustainable tourism practices around the world, and which include criteria

146 Compromiso de los turoperadores en la cadena de Guía de Buenas Prácticas para Turismo Sostenible en Bosques abastecimiento: tres pasos hacia la sostenibilidad Tropicales, Empresas de Alojamiento http://www.toinitiative.org/fileadmin/docs/publications/ http://econegociosforestales.com/enf/files/Guia_de_Buenas_ SupplyChainEngagementES.pdf Practicas.pdf

A practical guide to good practice: managing environmental Guía de Buenas Prácticas de Turismo Sostenible para and social issues in the accommodation sector Comunidades de Latinoamérica http://www.toinitiative.org/fileadmin/docs/publications/ http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/sites/default/files/site- HotelGuideEnglish.pdf documents/tourism/documents/gbp_latinoamerica.pdf

Guía de buenas prácticas: gestión de las cuestiones Las Páginas Verdes (consumo responsable) ambientales y sociales en el sector del alojamiento http://www.laspaginasverdes.com/ http://www.toinitiative.org/fileadmin/docs/publications/ HotelGuideSpanish.pdf

Guide de bonnes practiques: por une bonne gestions environnementales et sociales dans le secteur de l’herbegement touristique http://www.toinitiative.org/fileadmin/docs/publications/ HotelGuideFrench.pdf

A Practical Guide to Good Practice: Managing Environmental Impacts in the Marine Recreation Sector and Self Assessment Check-list http://www.toinitiative.org/fileadmin/docs/publications/ MarineRecreationGuide.pdf

Guía Práctica de Buenas Prácticas: Manejando Impactos Ambientales en el Sector de la Recreación Marina y Lista de Control Para Autoevaluación http://www.toinitiative.org/fileadmin/docs/publications/ MarineRecreationGuideESP.pdf

Guide de Bonnes Pratiques: Gérer les impacts du secteur des loisirs nautiques sur l’environnement http://www.toinitiative.org/fileadmin/docs/publications/marine_ guide_fr.pdf

Buenas Prácticas para el Turismo Sostenible, Rainforest Alliance http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/tourism/documents/tourism_ practices_guide_spanish.pdf

Guía de Buenas Prácticas para Turismo Sostenible en Ecosistemas Marino-Costeros, Empresas de Alojamiento http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/sites/default/files/site- documents/tourism/documents/marino_costera_es.pdf

147 Notes

148

IUCN UICN - Mesoamérica e Iniciativa Caribe TRAFFIC North America Rue Mauverney 28 50m sur del Automercado Los Yoses c/o World Wildlife Fund 1196 Gland San Pedro, San José 1250 24th St. NW Switzerland Costa Rica Washington DC 20037 Tel: +41 22 999 0000 P.O Box: 607-2050 Montes de Oca USA Fax: +41 22 999 0002 Tel: +506 2283 8449 Tel: +1 202 293 4800 www.iucn.org Fax: +506 2283 8472 Email: [email protected] www.iucn.org/mesoamerica www.traffic.org