Live Captures And The International Trade In Small Cetacean Species From Japan

Abstract

In October 2007 CITES Secretariat Willem Wijnstekers issued a statement in response to numerous requests calling for CITES to intervene in the trade of live dolphins. Mr. Wijnstekers stated in his response that CITES had not been presented with any evidence demonstrating that the required NDF’s were inadequate for such exports.

Furthermore, he stated that CITES had not been furnished with evidence to show that such exports were having a detrimental impact on wild dolphin populations. He subsequently closed the communication with the following undertaking: “If the Secretariat receives any information to show there is such a justification, we will certainly act”

The purpose of this document is to tender such evidence to the Secretariat and formally request the enabling of several points of action with specific regard to the trade of live dolphin specimens from Japanese waters.