Analysis of 2013 CITES export quotas

(Version edited for public release)

Prepared for the

European Commission Directorate General E - Environment ENV.E.2. – Development and Environment

by the

United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre

May, 2013

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CITATION UNEP-WCMC. 2013. Analysis of 2013 CITES export quotas. UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge.

Contents

1. Introduction ...... 2 2. Species with new, increased or decreased quotas in 2013 ...... 2 2.1. Acipenseriformes ...... 2 2.2. Other species (non Acipenseriformes) ...... 3 2.2.1. Previously reviewed species of potential concern ...... 3 2.2.2. Other quotas of note ...... 4 Table 1. Species subject to newly established quotas in 2013...... 5 Table 2. Species subject to increased quotas in 2013...... 8 Table 3. Species subject to decreased quotas in 2013...... 10

1. Introduction

Export quotas are usually established by each Party to CITES unilaterally on a voluntary basis, but they can also be set by the Conference of the Parties or result from recommendations of the Animals and Committees. For Acipenseriformes species, quotas should be established and communicated to the CITES Secretariat for meat and caviar from stocks shared between different Range States [Resolution Conf. 12.7 (Rev. CoP14)]. Guidance on the use of export quotas is available through Resolution Conf. 14.7 (Rev. CoP15) on the Management of nationally established export quotas.

To ensure that national quotas are effectively communicated, countries should inform the CITES Secretariat when they establish national export quotas for CITES species (Resolution Conf. 12.3 [Rev. CoP15]). In turn, the Secretariat informs the Parties. Early each year, the Secretariat publishes a Notification to the Parties containing a list of national export quotas of which it has been informed. Quotas generally relate to a calendar year (1 January to 31 December); however, since 2008 sturgeon quotas have related to a quota year (1 March to last day of February).

In 2013, quotas were published on the CITES website (www..org) on 11/04/2013. There were no quota updates during production of this report (report finalised on 09/05/2013).

This report analyses the 2013 CITES export quotas to identify any changes in quotas between 2012 and 2013 and suggests where it may be appropriate to review how these changes might affect the status of the species or its area of distribution. The report outlines:

a) Quotas that were newly established in 2013 (i.e. 2013 quotas for particular species/country/term/source combinations which have not previously been subject to a quota, or have not been subject to a quota for at least the last 5 years); b) Quotas that increased or decreased in 2013 compared with 2012 quotas (or compared with 2011 quotas if no quota was published in 2012).

2. Species with new, increased or decreased quotas in 2013

An overview of newly established, increased and decreased quotas in 2013 is presented in Tables 1, 2 and 3, respectively. On the basis of this analysis, species have been identified where the new or increased quotas in 2013 indicate that further discussion might be necessary to determine whether the trade may have a harmful effect on the conservation status of the species or on the extent of the territory occupied by the relevant population of the species.

2.1. Acipenseriformes

Only Ukraine and Uzbekistan published quotas for wild-sourced Acipenseriformes for the period 1st March 2013 – 28th February 2014, with all of Ukraine’s quotas being zero quotas. No other range States of shared stocks published quotas for wild-sourced sturgeons (Iran published quotas for meat and caviar from aquaculture). Therefore, as per the recommendations detailed in Resolution Conf. 12.7 (Rev. CoP14), if no quotas have been communicated to the CITES Secretariat by 31st December of the previous year, “the relevant range States have a zero quota until such time as they communicate their quotas in writing to the Secretariat and the Secretariat in turn informs the Parties.”

Species that potentially warrant review include:

o Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni / Uzbekistan: Uzbekistan published a new quota of 20 live, wild-taken individuals for this Critically Endangered species. Therefore a review may be warranted.

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Should more sturgeon quotas be published, further analysis may be necessary.

2.2. Other species (non Acipenseriformes) Species that potentially warrant review include: o Asio flammeus and Strix aluco / Uzbekistan: Uzbekistan published new quotas for live, wild taken Asio flammeus (30 individuals) and Strix aluco (24 individuals). However, both are considered Least Concern globally and are listed in Annex A. A final list of species for review will be agreed, pending comments from the SRG.

2.2.1. Previously reviewed species of potential concern

The following species/country combinations may be of potential concern; however they have been reviewed recently and therefore a review may not be necessary at this stage:

o Testudo horsfieldii / Uzbekistan: Quotas for wild and ranched T. horsfieldii were increased to 45 000 specimens each in 2013 (representing a 7 per cent increase for wild and a 50 per cent increase for ranched specimens). This follows quota increases every year since 2009. The species, considered Vulnerable globally, was reviewed for SRG 53 and at that meeting a positive opinion was formed for wild and ranched specimens from Uzbekistan. The species was reviewed as part of the Review of Significant Trade process and categorised as of Possible Concern for Uzbekistan at AC25 (July 2011). The country complied with the recommendations made by the Animals Committee and was subsequently removed from the Review. The information provided by Uzbekistan included: “...The total UZ population is estimated to be around 20 million tortoises. [...] Most collection of tortoises occurs in the Navoi province, where populations are very high (an estimated 12 million). [...]Collection zones in each province are restricted in area (less than 10 % of the total surface) and must demonstrate high population densities, usually exceeding 20 tortoises/ha. To further reduce collection pressure on wild populations, the Scientific Authority developed a 12-year rotation system [...] UZ is of the opinion that the population numbers of T. horsfieldii are high, and that an annual harvest of 1-2% is not detrimental to the wild population. The accompanying management measures and ongoing monitoring provide further assurances that the current quotas are scientifically justified and sustainable.” (SC62 Doc. 27.1 Rev. 1).

o Strombus gigas / Nicaragua: In 2013, Nicaragua published quotas for 589 670 kg of meat, 261 425 kg of trimmings and 3 900 000 each for shells and opercula, each representing an increase of 73 per cent over the quotas published in 2011 (the country published no quotas in 2012). The 2013 quotas for meat, trimmings, shells and opercula for scientific purposes reinstated the 2011 quotas. This species/country combination was reviewed for SRG63 (February 2013) and at that meeting the previous positive opinion was removed, based on no anticipated trade to the EU-27 (as no trade to the EU-27 had been reported 2001-2011).

o Swietenia macrophyllia / Belize: Belize published a quota for 1981.8 m3 of sawn wood of this . The species was reviewed as part of the Review of Significant Trade process and categorised as of Possible Concern at PC 19 (April 2011). Belize complied with the recommendation made by the Plants Committee and was subsequently removed from the Process. The country provided information indicating that “The harvesting quotas are based on a site specific species inventory; therefore it is difficult to determine a national export quota for S. macrophylla distributed over 232,750 ha without conducting a national inventory. Belize has started a national evaluation for specific determination of conservative harvest and export quotas not only to meet the CITES

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requirements, but also to guide the national development discussions related to timber- related products. The country evaluation will be concluded by last quarter of 2012.” (SC62 Doc. 27.1 Rev. 1).

o Galanthus elwesii and Galanthus woronowii / Turkey: Turkey published increased quotas relative to 2012 for wild-taken bulbs of two Galanthus species, representing an increase of 5 per cent for the Data Deficient G. elwesii and 17 per cent for the Vulnerable G. woronowii (Table 2). Both species were reviewed for SRG 51 (February 2010), following which the positive opinions for these species/country combinations were confirmed on the basis of adequate management systems and no apparent negative effects of harvesting on wild populations as determined by several missions to Turkey carried out by EU scientists.

2.2.2. Other quotas of note Quotas for artificially propagated or captive born/bred specimens The United Republic of Tanzania published new quotas for captive-born Chamaeleo laevigatus, Kinixys spekii, Kinyongia multituberculata, Kinyongia uluguruense, Kinyongia vosseleri and Python natalensis (Table 1). In addition, the United Republic of Tanzania also published decreased quotas for captive-born specimens of 28 species, following an increase for all of them in 2012 (Table 3).

New or increased quotas for species subject to import restrictions o The following newly-established quotas in 2013 are for species/country combinations for which the EU has a current import suspension: Pandinus imperator from Ghana (zero quota); and Python reticulatus from Peninsular Malaysia (500 live individuals and 162 000 skins). P. reticulatus from Malaysia is currently being reviewed as part of the Significant Trade Review process and it will be discussed in this context at AC27 in 2014. o No newly-established quotas have a current negative opinion. o There were no increased quotas in 2013 for species/country combinations for which the EU has a current import suspension. o The only increased quota in 2013 for species/country combinations for which the EU has a current negative opinion was Tillandsia xerographica from Guatemala, for which a negative opinion has been in place for artificially propagated plants without cataphylls since 03/12/2010, last confirmed on 07/02/2013. The quota was reduced by 52 per cent between 2011 and 2012 and increased by 2 per cent in 2013 (to 391 572 artificially propagated live plants); therefore it remains below the 2011 level (Table 2).

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Table 1. Species subject to newly established quotas in 2013. Country Species IUCN Red List Quota notes 2013 Notes1 Belize Swietenia macrophylla VU sawn wood 1981.8 m3 Ecuador Swietenia macrophylla VU 0 Ethiopia Chlorocebus pygerythrus LC trophies 10 Various quotas for live and live 40 trophies were published between 2000 and 2007, originally for Chlorocebus aethiops sensu lato, from which C. pygerythrus was split following taxonomic change adopted at CoP14. Papio anubis LC live 200 Current positive opinion formed on 18/07/2001 and last confirmed on 29/10/2001. Listed as ‘Vermin’ under the African Convention. Papio hamadryas LC live 200 Current positive opinion formed on 18/07/2001 and last confirmed on 29/10/2001. Listed as ‘Vermin’ under the African Convention. Felis silvestris LC live 5 Listed in Annex A.

Chlorocebus aethiops LC live 40

Colobus guereza LC live 50

Ghana Pandinus imperator - wild-taken and 0 Valid 4.6(b) import suspension for ranched all wild specimens since 10/09/2012.

1 SRG opinions are for wild-sourced specimens unless stated otherwise. 5

Country Species IUCN Red List Quota notes 2013 Notes1 Madagascar alfredii (VU), E. aureoviridifolia (VU), E. banae (VU), E berorohae 0 Zero export quota for 2013, in (CR), E. biaculeata (VU), E. bulbispina (VU), E. capmanambatoensis (CR), order to allow the completion of E. capuronii (VU), E. denisiana (VU), E. didieroides (EN), E. elliottii (EN), ongoing studies to formulate a E. herman-schwartzii (EN), E. hofstaettri (VU), E. horombensis (EN), E. iharanae notice of non-detriment findings. (CR), E. leuconeura (VU), E. mahabobokensis (VU), E. mangokyensis (EN), E. neobosseri (DD), E. pachypodioides (CR), E. paulianii (VU), E. primulifolia (VU), E. robivelonae (CR), E. rossii (VU), Aloe capitata (-), A. conifera (-), A. deltoideodonta (-), A. erythrophylla (-), A. guillaumetii (-), A. imalotoensis (-), Beccariophoenix madagascariensis (VU), Lemurophoenix halleuxii (EN), Marojejya darianii (EN), Ravenea rivularis (EN), Satranala deculssivae (EN) and Voanioala gerardii (CR).

Malaysia Python reticulatus - live 500 Peninsular Malaysia. Valid 4.6(b) skins 162000 import suspension for all wild specimens from Peninsular Malaysia since 30/04/2004 and last confirmed 10/09/2012. Quotas applicable to Sabah only have been published since 2011. Varanus salvator LC live 18000 Peninsular Malaysia. Current skins 166500 positive opinion for Malaysia formed 05/09/2002 and last confirmed 02/12/2011. Quotas applicable only to Sabah have been published since 2011. Nicaragua Agalychnis callidryas LC live, captive-bred 40000 Swietenia macrophylla VU 0 0 Previous quota for 16000 m3 in 1997 United Chamaeleo laevigatus - F1 specimens 10 Republic of Tanzania Kinixys spekii - F1 specimens 20 Previous quotas for F-1 specimens between 1997 and 2007 (originally for Kinixys belliana sensu lato, from which K. spekii was split following 6

Country Species IUCN Red List Quota notes 2013 Notes1 taxonomic change adopted at CoP14). Kinyongia multituberculata - F1 specimens 120 Kinyongia uluguruense - F1 specimens 10 Kinyongia vosseleri - F1 specimens 20 Python natalensis - F1 specimens 20 Current positive opinion formed 13/06/2005 (originally for Python sebae, from which P. natalensis was split following taxonomic change adopted at CoP15). Uzbekistan Asio flammeus LC live, wild-taken 30 Listed in Annex A Strix aluco LC live, wild-taken 24 Listed in Annex A Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni CR live, wild-taken 20

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Table 2. Species subject to increased quotas in 2013. Country Species IUCN Red Quota Notes 2011 2012 2013 Increase % Notes2 List Increase Ethiopia Crocodylus niloticus LC ranched skins 2000 2000 3000 1000 50 Guatemala Tillandsia xerographica - artificially 798176 383464 391572 8108 2 Current negative opinion for propagated live artificially propagated plants plants without cataphylls formed on 03/12/2010 and last confirmed on 07/02/2013. Nicaragua Strombus gigas - meat 340500 kg - 589670 kg 249170 kg 73 Previous positive opinion trimmings 150822 kg - 261425 kg 110603 kg 73 removed at SRG63 based on no anticipated trade to the EU-27 (as no trade to the EU-27 had

been reported 2001-2011).

opercula 2250000 - 3900000 1650000 73

shells 2250000 - 3900000 1650000 73

Turkey Galanthus elwesii DD bulbs, wild-taken 5250000 5250000 5500000 250000 5 Current positive opinion - artificially 750000 750000 1000000 250000 33 formed on 26/05/2008 and last propagated bulbs confirmed on 16/02/2010. Galanthus woronowii bulbs, wild-taken 3000000 3000000 3500000 500000 17 Current positive opinion formed on 23/06/1999 and last confirmed on 16/02/2010. United Crocodylus niloticus LC live, captive-bred 25 30 40 10 33 Established by the Conference Republic of of the Parties. Tanzania Malacochersus tornieri VU only live; F1 500 500 510 10 2 Quotas resulting from specimens with a recommendations of the carapace length of Animals Committee, Plants 8 cm or less (Note: Committee and the Standing see Notif. 2010/012; Committee. 2011/035 and 2012/059) Uzbekistan Testudo horsfieldii VU live wild-taken 40000 42100 45000 2900 7 Current positive opinion for live, ranched 30000 30000 45000 15000 50 wild and ranched specimens

2 SRG opinions are for wild-sourced specimens unless stated otherwise. 8

Country Species IUCN Red Quota Notes 2011 2012 2013 Increase % Notes2 List Increase formed 14/09/2010. Viet Nam Crocodylus siamensis CR live, captive-bred - 38000 48000 10000 26 Listed in Annex A.

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Table 3. Species subject to decreased quotas in 2013. Country Species IUCN Quota Notes 2011 2012 2013 Decrease % Notes3 Red List Decrease Cuba Scleractinia live - See Resolution Conf. 11.10 40000 kg 40000 kg 20000 kg 20000 kg 50 rock (Rev. CoP15) Democratic Panthera pardus NT skins 5 5 1 4 80 Listed in Annex A. Republic of the Congo Ethiopia Panthera leo VU trophies 10 10 5 5 50 Valid 4.6(b) import suspension (since 2006) for all wild specimens. Crocodylus niloticus LC trophies 4 4 2 2 50 Fiji Hydrozoa live rock pieces of coral rock to 805601 kg 805601 kg 604201 kg 201400 kg 25 which are attached live specimens of invertebrate species and coralline algae not included in the CITES Appendices and which are transported moist, but not in water, in crates Nicaragua Boa constrictor - live, captive-bred 15000 - 10000 5000 33 Various quotas were - leather products, captive- 300 - 100 200 67 published between 1997 bred and 2010. Malaysia Loriculus galgulus LC live 1000 1000 850 150 15 Peninsular Malaysia Psittacula NT live 1000 700 500 200 29 Peninsular Malaysia longicauda Psittinus cyanurus NT live 1000 1000 850 150 15 Peninsular Malaysia Turkey Anguilla anguilla CR live or frozen, wild-taken 30000 kg 30000 kg 20000 kg 10000 kg 33 Current negative opinion for all countries formed 03/12/2010 and last confirmed 11/09/2012. Hirudo verbana - live or frozen, wild-taken 3000 kg 4000 kg 3000 kg 1000 kg 25 Current positive opinion formed 23/06/1999 and last confirmed

3 SRG opinions are for wild-sourced specimens unless stated otherwise. 10

Country Species IUCN Quota Notes 2011 2012 2013 Decrease % Notes3 Red List Decrease 11/03/2011 (originally formed for Hirudo medicinalis, from which H. verbena was split following CITES CoP15). United Aldabrachelys - F1 specimens 90 95 30 65 68 Republic of gigantea Tanzania Chamaeleo - F1 specimens 84 100 84 16 16 Current positive opinion bitaeniatus formed 23/06/1999 for F1. Chamaeleo - F1 specimens 93 100 78 22 22 deremensis Chamaeleo dilepis LC F1 specimens 120 150 100 50 33 Chamaeleo ellioti - F1 specimens 20 30 20 10 33 Chamaeleo - F1 specimens 199 200 48 152 76 fuelleborni Chamaeleo goetzei - F1 specimens 38 45 38 7 16 Chamaeleo gracilis - F1 specimens 40 50 20 30 60 Chamaeleo VU F1 specimens 20 25 20 5 20 incornutus Chamaeleo jacksonii - F1 specimens 143 150 110 40 27 Current positive opinion merumontanus formed for F1 on 23/06/1999. Quotas resulting from recommendations of the Animals Committee, Plants Committee and the Standing Committee. Chamaeleo VU F1 specimens 23 30 14 16 53 laterispinis Chamaeleo melleri - F1 specimens 108 110 81 29 26 Current positive opinion formed for F1 on 23/06/1999. Chamaeleo rudis - F1 specimens 321 350 178 172 49 Current positive opinion 11

Country Species IUCN Quota Notes 2011 2012 2013 Decrease % Notes3 Red List Decrease formed for F1 on 23/06/1999. Chamaeleo tempeli - F1 specimens 114 120 75 45 38 Cordylus beraduccii - F1 specimens 16 20 15 5 25 Cordylus ukingensis - F1 specimens 23 25 9 16 64 Gongylophis - 2013: F1 specimens. 48 50 45 5 10 Current positive opinion colubrinus 2012: live, F1 specimens. for F1 specimens<25 cm 2011: live, F1 specimens formed 18/07/2001. <25 cm in length. Quotas resulting from recommendations of the Animals Committee, Plants Committee and the Standing Committee. Kinixys belliana - F1 specimens 320 350 125 225 64 - Kinyongia fischeri - F1 specimens 160 180 10 170 94 Quotas resulting from recommendations of the Animals Committee, Plants Committee and the Standing Committee. Kinyongia oxyrhina - F1 specimens 28 35 30 5 14 Kinyongia tavetana - F1 specimens 106 95 90 5 5 Kinyongia tenuis - F1 specimens 22 30 18 12 40 Kinyongia - F1 specimens 24 25 24 1 4 uthmoelleri Phelsuma parkeri LC F1 specimens 1000 - 40 960 96 Previous quotas for 1000 (Phelsuma wild-taken 2008-2011. abbotti) Python sebae - F1 specimens 20 25 20 5 20 Stigmochelys - only live; F1 specimens 5990 6000 5735 265 4 Current positive opinion pardalis for F1 specimens <8cm formed 18/07/2001 and confirmed 29/10/2001. Quotas resulting from recommendations of the 12

Country Species IUCN Quota Notes 2011 2012 2013 Decrease % Notes3 Red List Decrease Animals Committee, Plants Committee and the Standing Committee. Varanus albigularis - F1 specimens 20 30 25 5 17 Varanus niloticus - F1 specimens 20 25 20 5 20 Uzbekistan Ovis vignei - trophies: horn and skull, 7 7 5 2 29 severtzovi skin Accipiter nisus LC live 120 120 80 40 33 The 2013 quota specifies source as 'wild taken'. Listed in Annex A. Asio otus LC live 50 50 40 10 20 The 2013 quota specifies source as 'wild taken'. Listed in Annex A. Athene noctua LC live 210 210 200 10 5 The 2013 quota specifies source as 'wild taken'. Listed in Annex A. Falco subbuteo LC live 110 110 50 60 55 The 2013 quota specifies source as 'wild taken'. Listed in Annex A. Falco tinnunculus LC live 110 110 50 60 55 The 2013 quota specifies source as 'wild taken'. Listed in Annex A. Otus brucei LC live 210 210 200 10 5 The 2013 quota specifies source as 'wild taken'. Otus scops LC live 220 220 200 20 9 The 2013 quota specifies source as 'wild taken'. Listed in Annex A. Eryx tataricus - live 600 550 500 50 9 The 2013 quota specifies source as 'wild taken'. Current positive opinion formed 07/06/2012.

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