19 November 2010: The Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), John Scanlon, addressed the 17th Special Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) to highlight CITES’ work on the Atlantic bluefin tuna and other commercially exploited aquatic species.

The ICCAT meeting is being held from 17-27 November 2010, in Paris, France. Scanlon underscored CITES parties’ concerns about the conservation and sustainable use of commercially exploited aquatic species, noting recent discussions on the Atlantic bluefin tuna, the Oceanic white tip and porbeagle sharks, which did not end in listing the species in the CITES Appendices but focused on the role of ICCAT in conservation and sustainable use. He noted that a key consideration is improving the listing process to ensure that any potential CITES actions on marine species are better synchronized with those of other actors, such as Regional Fishery Management Organizations.

Scanlon also quoted relevant global targets adopted by the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), noting they are intended to serve as a useful framework, as appropriate, for all stakeholders involved in managing biodiversity and natural resources. [The Statement]