Indicate which actions have been carried out to implement this Resolution :
Capacity-building
Convene stakeholders/Networking
Education/Communication/Raising awareness
Field activities
Fundraising
Policy influencing/advocacy
Scientific/technical activities
Describe the results/achievements of the actions taken:
There has been good steady progress towards meeting the three main recommendations of the Anguillid eel Recommendation. The International Eel Science Symposium was held at ZSL and a paper reporting on the findings is to be published in 2018. The Anguilid Eel Specialist Group (AESG) presented at a workshop in Indonesia further promoting the status and importance of eels. A key activity of the AESG has been their participation in the CITES animal Committee and Standing Committee meetings in 2017 providing input the various Decisions relating to Anguillid eels (17.186 to 17.189 Eels (Anguilla spp.)). AESG also worked with the CMS secretariat, Government of Monaco and the Sargasso Sea Commission to develop a set of Actions adopted by the 12th CMS CoP. A second workshop is planned for 2018 and AESG will be represented. In collaboration with National agencies in the Philippines - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and Department for the Environment and Natural Resources - ZSL and TRAFFIC completed the delivery of a three year Darwin Initiative funded project relating to anguillid eels and local livelihoods on 30/6/17. More details on all these activities are provided in the Activity Report.
What challenges/obstacles have been encountered in the implementation of this Resolution and how were they overcome :
The IUCN Secretariat has not been directly involved, ZSL is leading through the SSC AESG. The main future challenge I would see is to raise the funds required (estimated at USD 100,000 - 500,000). Funds may be raised through specific projects, however, objectives are often constrained through being tailored to meet donor objectives. The power of commercial interests is also always a challenge in promoting conservation actions for eels given their high comercial value and the requirement to use wild caught eels in the large scale aquaculture industry.
Briefly describe what future actions are needed for the implementation of this Resolution:
The SSC Anguillid Eel Specialist Group led by ZSL (IUCN Member) is leading on the activities required through this Recommendation.
The three main recommendations are for: 1) promotion of the anguillid eels as flagship species to benefit a wide range of freshwater
species, 2) generate support for development of species action plans, and 3) strengthen SSC efforts to implement the 2017-2020 Strategic
Plan to the benefit of anguillid eels. The AESG is progressing well on all of these activities and continues to build the scientific base
required to guide conservation action. A Red List re-assessment is required to track the status of the eels over time and to provide a tool for monitoring impacts from any management intervention. A strong focus on development of species action plans is now required. All should be possible if sufficient funds can be secured. Current support from Synchronicity Earth should help the AESG to move forwards and to generate the funds required over the next few years so I see no reason why good progress can't continue to be made.
Are these actions planned for yet:
