Import, Price and Export Regulations Information for the Humphead

Import Information

Table 1. Estimated minimum volumes of imports of into Hong Kong from 2001-2005 (Aug), based on both Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department (CSD) data (by air or non-HK-licensing vessels), and Hong Kong Agriculture and Conservation Department (AFCD) data (by HK-licensing vessels)

*, All countries by air, except PNG by non-HK-licensing vessels (CSD data),

**, mainly from (AFCD data).

1This source country may well be an error since this is not known to be taken, or occur, in Thailand in appreciable numbers. Trade contacts suggest that the true origin is likely to be Indonesia because most Humphead wrasse in recent years come from Indonesia, and because much of the export from Indonesia is of illegal sized and so the source country is often hidden: Humphead wrasse for Indonesia often are shipped by sea and sea imports are less well documented than air shipments into Hong Kong. Another possibility is illegal trade from the , Andaman Is., or Myanmar. 2 Hong Kong-licensed vessels (HK vessels) are exempted from declaring live fish, so AFCD introduced a voluntary data collection program in 1997 whereby imports by major importers are recorded and compiled monthly. The data in the table are double those provided to AFCD estimate that they obtain only about 50% of the actual landings in Hong Kong from the data collecting program.This program includes data from 8 major exporters using Hong Kong-licensed vessels. An independent survey of Hong Kong- licensed vessel imports noted source countries to be overwhelmingly from Indonesia over the 3-month study period. (C. Chu, unpublished data).

3Humphead wrasse caught elsewhere in the western Pacific have been shipped through the and claimed as being of Philippines origin. This tactic has been evidently used by operators to circumvent laws and regulations (for example a temporary moratorium in the Solomon Is.), but possibly also to mask the potential presence of ciguatera in harvested from localities where the toxin is known to occur (G. P. Reyes, personal communication).

The Humphead wrasse is managed in several countries although enforcement is reportedly poor in most places. There is, for example, import of illegal sized fish into Hong Kong from Indonesia, and the capture fishery of this species is rarely monitored, anywhere.

Figure 1:

Price Information

Table 2. Trend in Price of Humphead Wrasse

Table 3. Wholesale and retail prices were also investigated through interviewing wholesale traders and seafood restaurant owners in Hong Kong and Guangzhou (Guangzhou Huangsha Seafood Wholesale Market) in December 2005; according to interviewees, the wholesale and retail prices in Hong Kong are stable within the 5-10 year period, in general. Dead HHW are at low price in HK market; 117-133 HKD/kg (15-18 USD/kg).

Different colors in the same row represent different interviewees.

Fishery and Export Regulations for the Capture and Trade in undulates [*TL = total length]

In 2004 the species was listed on CITES Appendix II and now requires export permits

Country Regulation Implementation date/source Western Australia – complete protection since Implemented. May 1998 because stocks determined to be Pogonoski et al., 2002; insufficient and susceptible to . Fish Resources Management From December 1st, 2003, Fin Fish Act, 1994. Management Plan (for Queensland waters, including the Marine Park) prohibits all take and possession of humphead wrasse, other than for limited educational purposes and public display. Indonesia permitted if : Directorate General of No: HK.330/S3.6631/96  Done by researcher (with research amending HK.330/DJ.8253/95. permit) for the purpose of scientific and There is no implementaion, data mariculture development, as well as by could not be obtained and there artisanal fishers (with specific fishing is widespread use of the permit). mariculture exemption to take  Allowable weights are 1 to 3 kg. Fish juveniles from the wild and hold with weight less than 1 kg and more them until sale. than 3 kg should be used for mariculture and/or freed to nature.  Allowable fishing methods for catching humphead wrasse are hook and line, fish trap and gill net.  With regards to artisanal fishers involve in fisheries business partnership, the fishers should sell the fish to its collector partners.  Collector and exporters should develop a rearing and culturing facility in the collection site which is equipped with staff knowledgeable in reef fish culture.  · Provincial Fisheries Services much monitor, control and report on permits and volumes 3-monthly. Maldives All exports of Humphead wrasse were banned Anderson and Waheed, 1997; in 1995, largely due to concern for recreational Shakeel, 1994. diving, a sector that values this species New Catch of humphead wrasse not permitted M. Kulbicki, personal Caledonia during spearfishing competitions. Occasional communication. poaching may occur in marine protected areas. Not exported. The interference, take, kill, or bringing to shore Niue Domestic Fishing of the humphead wrasse is prohibited without Regulations, 1996. written approval. Palau Illegal to fish, buy or sell humphead wrasse < Appears to be implemented. 64 cm TL. Illegal to export humphead wrasse Palau, Domestic Fishing Laws irrespective of size. 1998 (27 PNCA 1024). Papua New There is a 65 cm minimum size limit for Implementation unknown. Guinea exporting humphad wrasse but this does not National Gazette No. G99, June prevent fishers from catching and holding 17, 2002; Anas et al undated; smaller humphead wrasse in cages (culturing) P.Lokani, personal until they attain 65 cm TL. All live fish communication. operators are required to obtain licenses. Philippines Exports of all live fish are technically prohibited No implementation. Philippine throughout the Philippines but this part of the Fisheries Code of 1998 - code is evidently not implemented. Until Republic Act 8550. February 25, recently humphead wrasse could not be 1998; Barber and Pratt, 1997. exported from Palawan with an exemption for the taking of small fish for mariculture. The Palawan regulation is pending reconsideration. There was much illegal movement of this species outside of Palawan for subsequent export.

(Information extracted from: The humphead wrasse, Cheilinus undulatus: synopsis of a threatened and poorly known giant . by Sadovy, Y, Kulbicki M., Labrosse P., Letourneur Y., Lokani, P., and T. J. Donaldson. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 13(3): 327-364. )