Hong Kong takes action to address illegal totoaba trade, help critically endangered vaquita | WPN World People News

The Hong Kong government took unprecedented action to address the illegal totoaba trade on Friday by issuing summonses against the operators of two dried seafood shops that sell bladders from the endangered fish.

The totoaba trade, which originates in Mexico and is often funnelled through the United States before reaching Hong Kong and China, has devastating consequences for the critically endangered vaquita porpoise that frequently drown in illegal fishing nets.

In May, Greenpeace East Asia exposed market players in an undercover investigation on the illegal totoaba trade and its impacts on the vaquita, which has spurred international pressure to address the entire chain.

Greenpeace East Asia welcomes this first action by Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) but says more is needed to curb the illegal trade.

In response to the news, Greenpeace East Asia Campaigner Bonnie Tang said:

“This single prosecution may have a short-term impact on the illegal wildlife trade, but the AFCD must strengthen the capacity of customs officers and formulate a concrete policy to stop Hong Kong from being the hub for the illegal trade for endangered animals in the long run.”

Greenpeace urges the Hong Kong government to commit more resources to regulate the trade in endangered species. The annual expenditure on the protection of endangered species by AFCD is currently less than 3% of its total budget from the government.

Greenpeace also calls on the Hong Kong government to develop a joint operation with the US and Mexico governments to crack down on the illegal trade in endangered species.

Phil Kline, Senior Oceans Campaigner for Greenpeace USA said:

“The Hong Kong government has stepped up by taking initial steps to address the totoaba trade that is killing the few remaining vaquita porpoises in Mexico. The move to issue summonses against operators of dried seafood shops that sell totoaba bladders is an important step in the right direction for saving the vaquita. Greenpeace East Asia’s investigation on the trade has ignited international pressure for the governments involved to act for the benefit of both the totoaba and vaquita.

“We have now witnessed increased cooperation between Mexico and the United States on inspections and surveillance, a ban on gillnet fishing in Mexico, and efforts from Hong Kong to ensure shops that sell bladders are held accountable. But more must be done to save the vaquita. The United States and Mexico must work closely with Hong Kong and China to address the entire illegal chain. And while we are pleased to see Hong Kong take initial action to save the vaquita, the international community has called for the government to shoulder more responsibility for shutting this devastating trade down.

“We can no longer afford delay on meaningful action to save the vaquita. It will require addressing the illegal trade from the gillnets in Mexico to the shops in Hong Kong and China.”

Source: Greenpeace International