Preliminary Overview of the Genus Anguilla
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UNEP-WCMC technical report Preliminary overview of the genus Anguilla (Version edited for public release) 2 Preliminary overview of the genus Anguilla Prepared for The European Commission, Directorate General Environment, Directorate E - Global & Regional Challenges, LIFE ENV.E.2. – Global Sustainability, Trade & Multilateral Agreements, Brussels, Belgium Published September 2015 Copyright European Commission 2015 Citation UNEP-WCMC. 2015. Preliminary overview of the genus Anguilla. UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge. The UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) is the specialist biodiversity assessment of the United Nations Environment Programme, the world’s foremost intergovernmental environmental organization. The Centre has been in operation for over 30 years, combining scientific research with policy advice and the development of decision tools. We are able to provide objective, scientifically rigorous products and services to help decision- makers recognize the value of biodiversity and apply this knowledge to all that they do. To do this, we collate and verify data on biodiversity and ecosystem services that we analyze and interpret in comprehensive assessments, making the results available in appropriate forms for national and international level decision-makers and businesses. To ensure that our work is both sustainable and equitable we seek to build the capacity of partners where needed, so that they can provide the same services at national and regional scales. The contents of this report do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of UNEP, contributory organisations or editors. The designations employed and the presentations do not imply the expressions of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNEP, the European Commission or contributory organisations, editors or publishers concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city area or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of a commercial entity or product in this publication does not imply endorsement by UNEP. UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0DL, UK Tel: +44 1223 277314 UNEP promotes www.unep-wcmc.org environmentally sound practices globally and in its own activities. Printing on paper from environmentally sustainable forests and recycled fibre is encouraged. Introduction 3 As a major importer of wildlife, the EU is considering potential engagement with range States to support their preparation for the upcoming CITES CoP17. The genus Anguilla was considered to warrant further assessment in this context, as to whether further action may be required for the genus as a whole or for individual species. This document provides a high-level overview of the various species in this genus (other than the Appendix-II listed Anguilla anguilla) to assist with this assessment. This document provides basic overviews of relevant data for all species included in the genus Anguilla, with the exception of A. anguilla. These 16 overviews are primarily based on the IUCN Red List assessments, where available. Member States are invited to consider whether these taxa may merit further consideration in preparation for the upcoming CoP17. Overview of the genus Anguilla - trade Eels, Anguilla spp., are consumed globally, and East-Asian countries play a major role in the Anguilla industry (Shiraishi and Crook, 2015). More than 90% of Anguilla production is based on eel farming, which requires wild-caught glass eels for stocking, as the captive reproduction and raising of larvae to glass eel stage is not commercially viable yet (Shiraishi and Crook, 2015). Global annual exports, as recorded by the FAO at the genus level, averaged around 20 000 t per year in the late 1970s (valued at 55-95 million US dollars/year), rising to over 130 000 t in 2000 (valued at 1000 million US dollars/year). Annual global exports then declined to slightly over 80 000 t in 2008 and 2009 (valued at more than 800 million US dollars/year) (FAO 2013 in Jacoby et al., 2014a). China and Taiwan PoC exported nearly 75% of this trade while Japan imported over 75% of all trade (FAO 2013 in Jacoby et al., 2014a). However, considerable recent declines in Japan’s eel consumption were reported, with consumer behaviour being influenced by concerns over chemicals used in Chinese eel production, and price increases for products due to changes in eel fry supplies for farms (Shiraishi and Crook, 2015). Meanwhile, China’s domestic consumption appears to have increased (Shiraishi and Crook, 2015). Furthermore, countries in South-East Asia such as the Philippines and Indonesia were noted to have become an increasingly important exporter of Anguilla spp. in recent years (Crook, 2014). The frequent discrepancies in global trade data, whereby customs data and the data reported to FAO by importers and exporters may differ considerably, and prevalent illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing for eel fry and glass eels and illegal trade in eels/eel products were considered to be of concern (Shiraishi and Crook, 2015). Eastern Asian eel farming initially relied on A. japonica and shifted to A. anguilla once the former species’ availability was reduced; the EU ban of all trade in A. anguilla in 2010 meant that other Anguilla species originating in South-East Asia and the Americas became more important alternatives for the eel farming industry (Shiraishi and Crook, 2015). The eel industry in East Asia was found to continue to evolve to cope with changes in supply, whilst global production and consumption appeared to be declining due to reduced species and eel fry availability, as well as other factors (Shiraishi and Crook, 2015). Crook and Nakamura (2013) voiced concerns over the shifts in exploitation affecting this genus, whereby once one Anguilla species becomes over- exploited, trade shifts towards another species to satisfy the demand. Further details on the distribution, conservation status, exploitation levels and other relevant information for each Anguilla species is provided in Table 1. 4 Table 1: Overview of Anguilla species (other than A. anguilla) for consideration in preparation for CoP17 Scientific name Distribution Population status Biology Trade Previous Protection status (Common name) and trends CITES discussions Actinopterygii Anguillidae Anguilla australis Widespread throughout the Not yet assessed by the Semelparous [spawning A small but important Australia: Not currently listed under (Short-finned Eel) tropical and temperate IUCN. once in a lifetime] and commercial fishery exists the Environment Protection and South-western Pacific, catadromous [migrate from for A. australis in south- Biodiversity Conservation Act (Aida et al., 2003; including New Caledonia, Population status and freshwater down to the sea eastern Australia. Most (EPBC) (Gomon and Bray, 2011a). catch is exported Wantanabe et al., New Zealand, the Chatham trend unknown. to spawn]. 2005). Islands, Norfolk Island, Lord Larvae metamorphose to overseas, either frozen or New Zealand: Not protected, but Howe Island and mainland the glass eel stage on smoked. A small quota management system for eels Australia (Gomon and Bray, continental shelf. Glass eels aquaculture industry also in place (explained more fully under 2011a). move into estuaries and exists with all life-history A. dieffenbachii). rivers and developing into stages caught from the elvers, which is followed by wild and grown to a Protection status in other range a secondary upstream marketable size in lakes, states not identified. migration into freshwater. swamps, wetlands and Adults may remain in farm dams. Most of the freshwater environments for production occurs in 10-20 years (males mature Victoria (Gomon and at ~14 years, females at 18- Bray, 2011a). 24 years) before migrating to the sea to breed (Gomon and Bray, 2011a). A. australis resembles A. obscura (various authors in Jacoby et al., 2014g). Anguilla bengalensis Very widely distributed, with Categorised as Near Semelparous and Little species-specific India: Classified as ‘Endangered’, (Mottled Eel) two subpopulations, which Threatened by the IUCN catadromous. Breeds in the information available. but harvesting still occurs (Molur are in some cases referred in 2014. ocean and migrates into and Walker 1998 in Jacoby et al., (Jacoby et al., 2014a; to as two subspecies: freshwaters and estuaries Exploited for consumption 2014a). Talwar and Jhingran Population trend unknown, as juveniles, which migrate and possibly farmed in 1991). - Anguilla bengalensis but population decline of up rivers and streams to Africa; exports of eels Protection status in other range bengalensis, which occurs in close to 30% over the last mature in pools; some have been low over last states not identified. countries of the Indian 3 generations (36 years) individuals remain in coastal 10 years, but have begun Ocean region, including in suspected. Potential waters. to increase in recent Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, uplisting to higher threat years, but species are Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, category thought to All species and subspecies mixed. and also in southeast Africa; potentially be more Anguilla share a simple appropriate. overall morphology and Of considerable - A. bengalensis labiata, colour pattern, making them commercial value in India. which occurs in Eastern difficult to distinguish It is unknown whether Scientific name Distribution Population status Biology Trade Previous Protection status (Common name) and trends CITES discussions