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LCQ17: Selling endangered marine organisms
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     Following is a question by Hon Mrs Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, in the Legislative Council today (May 5):

Question:

     The Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) stipulates that, to fulfil the requirements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ("CITES"), anyone who imports endangered species such as Scleractinia, Antipatharia, Tubiporidae, seahorses and giant clams, etc. shall hold a licence issued by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, and a CITES certifying document from the place of origin of such species.  Moreover, it has been reported that shop tenants shall hold a licence for publicly displaying and selling marine organisms which are endangered species.  Yet, I have learnt that many shop tenants do not hold such licences and illegally display and sell marine organisms which are endangered species, and the trading of such marine organisms on the Internet is also rampant.  In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether it will conduct a review on how to enhance law enforcement actions; if it will, of the details?

Reply:

President,

     The Government is committed to the protection of endangered species, and implements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) through legislation, law enforcement and public education.  Endangered species are listed in the three Appendices to CITES based on the degree of threat that these species are facing.  The CITES-listed species are covered in the respective schedules of the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (the Ordinance) so that the trading of these endangered species would be under strict monitoring and control.

     Scleractinia, Antipatharia, Tubiporidae, seahorses and giant clams belong to CITES Appendix II species, meaning that while they are not threatened with extinction, the trading of which has to be controlled in order to avoid utilisation incompatible with their survival.  If these species are live and of wild origin, the commercial trading (including the sale and display of them for commercial purposes) of them requires the obtainment of a Licence to Possess issued by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) under the Ordinance.  Otherwise, the selling and display of these species for commercial purposes would be in contravention of the law.

     Apart from conducting regular inspections to local shops which are licensed to sell endangered species, AFCD also conducts inspection and education visits to shops engaging in the pet and aquarium trade.  Through these inspections, AFCD would remind the traders of the requirements under the Ordinance on the control of trade in endangered species.  From the beginning of this year, AFCD has conducted 224 inspections to relevant shops, and has found one case with irregularity.  The investigation of the case is still in progress.  Furthermore, AFCD monitors possible illegal trade in endangered species on the Internet.  In the event of suspected contravention against the Ordinance, AFCD will initiate investigation.  In the past two years, the AFCD has investigated 97 cases of suspected illegal sale of endangered species, among which 35 cases were related to trade on the Internet.  Furthermore, a reward scheme has been established since 1999 to strengthen the collection of information in relation to illegal trade in endangered species from various sources including the Internet.  Under the scheme, anyone who has registered as an informer with AFCD could receive a reward if he provides information to AFCD which subsequently leads to the seizure of endangered species being traded illegally, or which leads to the successful prosecution of illegal trade in endangered species.

     In addition to law enforcement actions, we conduct publicity and educational activities to raise public awareness in the protection of endangered species.  The AFCD has all along been organising various related educational and publicity activities, which were delivered through the media, advertisement and the Internet; and AFCD also prints relevant posters and leaflets.  Furthermore, AFCD organises relevant exhibitions and seminars, and arranges guided tours to the Endangered Species Resource Centre to educate the public on the protection of endangered species.  For example, in 2009, AFCD organised 82 relevant exhibitions and seminars, and received over 6,200 visitors to the Endangered Species Resource Centre.  AFCD also disseminates information to the related trade regarding the control of the trade in endangered species through letters, consultation sessions and seminars.

Ends/Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:55

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