Tonga Ban 8/4/08

[CoryDude]

I'm not the quickest or smartest whip, so maybe y'all already knew about this.

Was talking to Gabe over at AA tonight and he was telling me about the ban on imports from Tonga starting on 8/4/08? Other reef groups are saying live rock only, but Gabe was thinking the ban was more inclusive. So unless an extension is worked out through their courts, you've only got a few weeks to p/u any more Tonga exports.

Here's a discussion I found on reefcentral:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1426393

[subsailor]

I think that is BS. A couple of months ago Cites had a temporary ban on it as well. The way the RC thread is that the main exporter was caught using illegal practices. Well the main exporter from there is Walt Smith, and his practices has been for conservation in collecting. Not saying it is not happening, but the need to figure out the real reason what is going on. Shoot an e-mail off the fenner, he is good freinds with Walt and would know exactly what the real skinny is. Just my .02 cents

[Jonthefishguy]

I have known about this for 3 weeks. My collectors shot me an email a few weeks back informing me of the closer on collection of Tonga.

[rabadanmarco]

its true.....

[CoryDude]

Someone within the kingdom, who has good connections, will get the only permit to collect, and then he and the politicians he greased are going to get rich. The real victims are the locals who collect the rock, inverts, etc, for just enough $$ to scrape by everyday. What are they supposed to do?

[rabadanmarco]

http://www.qualitymarineusa.com/article.asp?page=company&id=979D8157-FB16-445D-ABEC-35AC2BC782AA (http://www.qualitymarineusa.com/article.asp?page=company&id=979D8157-FB16-445D-ABEC-35AC2BC782AA)


http://www.cites.org/ (http://www.cites.org/)

http://www.cites.org/eng/disc/text.shtml (http://www.cites.org/eng/disc/text.shtml) this is the list of the index.

Appendix II:From wikepedia

Appendix II, about 32,500 species, are species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but may become so unless trade in specimens of such species is subject to strict regulation in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival. In addition, Appendix II can include species similar in appearance to species already listed in the Appendices. International trade in specimens of Appendix II species may be authorized by the granting of an export permit or re-export certificate. In practice, many hundreds of thousands of Appendix II animals are traded on an annual basis (http://www.cites.org/eng/resources/quotas/index.shtml).

Now this is from the cities website Regulation of Trade in Specimens of Species Included in Appendix II
1. All trade in specimens of species included in Appendix II shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Article.
2. The export of any specimen of a species included in Appendix II shall require the prior grant and presentation of an export permit. An export permit shall only be granted when the following conditions have been met:

(a) a Scientific Authority of the State of export has advised that such export will not be detrimental to the survival of that species;
(b) a Management Authority of the State of export is satisfied that the specimen was not obtained in contravention of the laws of that State for the protection of fauna and flora; and
(c) a Management Authority of the State of export is satisfied that any living specimen will be so prepared and shipped as to minimize the risk of injury, damage to health or cruel treatment.
3. A Scientific Authority in each Party shall monitor both the export permits granted by that State for specimens of species included in Appendix II and the actual exports of such specimens. Whenever a Scientific Authority determines that the export of specimens of any such species should be limited in order to maintain that species throughout its range at a level consistent with its role in the ecosystems in which it occurs and well above the level at which that species might become eligible for inclusion in Appendix I, the Scientific Authority shall advise the appropriate Management Authority of suitable measures to be taken to limit the grant of export permits for specimens of that species.
4. The import of any specimen of a species included in Appendix II shall require the prior presentation of either an export permit or a re-export certificate.

5. The re-export of any specimen of a species included in Appendix II shall require the prior grant and presentation of a re-export certificate. A re-export certificate shall only be granted when the following conditions have been met:
(a) a Management Authority of the State of re-export is satisfied that the specimen was imported into that State in accordance with the provisions of the present Convention; and

(b) a Management Authority of the State of re-export is satisfied that any living specimen will be so prepared and shipped as to minimize the risk of injury, damage to health or cruel treatment.
6. The introduction from the sea("Introduction from the sea" means transportation into a State of specimens of any species which were taken in the marine environment not under the jurisdiction of any State) of any specimen of a species included in Appendix II shall require the prior grant of a certificate from a Management Authority of the State of introduction. A certificate shall only be granted when the following conditions have been met:

(a) a Scientific Authority of the State of introduction advises that the introduction will not be detrimental to the survival of the species involved; and

(b) a Management Authority of the State of introduction is satisfied that any living specimen will be so handled as to minimize the risk of injury, damage to health or cruel treatment.
7. Certificates referred to in paragraph 6 of this Article may be granted on the advice of a Scientific Authority, in consultation with other national scientific authorities or, when appropriate, international scientific authorities, in respect of periods not exceeding one year for total numbers of specimens to be introduced in such periods.

now i bolded underlined and made itallics where the tonga rock would fall into...

[zcatzmeow]

Soooo....does this mean the prices for any and everything from Tonga is about to go sky high?

[CoryDude]

So, where do maricultured items fall in this mess? From the wiki info, it sounds like if certain criteria are met and the items are certified by certain agencies, then the items are allowed to be exported. Or, does it mean that by using the rules, Tonga, Marshal Islands, etc, are not allowed to export live rock and ANY coral until those agencies are satisfied w/thier collection practices?

[theedprado]

From what I hear this has been a problem for some time now, and the exporters have been warned several times before. This ban has been in the pipelines for a couple of months. I think that most of the suppliers have been anticipating this and have ordered large shipments of Tonga live stock to hold them over. Tonga has been somewhat problematic over the last few years. There was also a semi-revolution during which the monarcy had protestors arrested. Yes it is the Kingdom of Tonga. I have always been a fan of Tonga rock and usually cary the Tongan nassarius snails, but if these guys do not follow Cites regulations there wont be anything left to sell. Keep in mind that tonga branch rock is thousand year old dead stony coral. It is not a renewable resource. Cites only protects endangered species, this includes rock, and can affect anthing on the rock, like coral. I know this has been a problem with ricordea harvest in the carribean. Since the ricordea is not protected, but the rock they grow on is.

[rabadanmarco]

i am still confused a bit about the whole ban thing because from what i read there is somehow a permit allowed but there are very strict restrictions on how to do it...

[theedprado]

You need a permit every time a protected species crosses an international border. I believe these permits are limited by cites and issued by the government. If states do not abide by cites they can not send or recieve regulated species to countrys that do. These permits are needed everytime the species is moved. Exporters have been avoiding these regulations for years by lying about the origin of the animals, as they may be protected in one county and not another. Also with corals I think that an entire colony is considered one animal, so exporters find the largest specimen they can and frag it out when it arrives at the new location. It does not affect the non-endangered species that we carry. Country specific lists can be found on the cites website. As to who is granted the permits that is a whole other story.

[rabadanmarco]

and yes prices will go sky high...and it sucks for the locals that made a living in tonga by collecting the rock

[CoryDude]

This is a double edged sword. It's good that they're trying to enforce better conservation, but it also sucks because Tonga had the lightest most diverse live rock available. Much better than fiji.

[Richard]

From what I have heard of the Tongan government, it probably doesn't have anything to do with better conservation. Supposed to be pretty corrupt over there.

Here's a thread on a tongan divers strike, but I don't think it has anything to do with the liverock...http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=122183

Hey Ed, Have you seen any Papua New Guinea stuff showing up on wholesalers lists yet? Looks like it will be nice stuff and 100% net caught...
http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=118987

[Richard]

Well here is the story, straight from Walt Smith...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1437433

[CoryDude]

Well here is the story, straight from Walt Smith...


Thanks Richard. Very informative read. Mr. Smith seems to be an interesting character. Would love to meet him.

And now, we know the rest of the story...

[Richard]

Oh boy, the Walt Smith thread on RC just got ugly. If you want a behind the scenes sneak peek, check it out.

[Captain Jack]

Hopefully it will work itself out in the coming weeks/months and things will find a beneficial balance.