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WCC 2016 Rec 099 - Activity Report

Submitted by Matthew.Gollock on Tue, 02/12/2019 - 12:08
General Information
Promotion of Anguillid eels as flagship species for aquatic conservation
IUCN Constituent: 
0B5DC7B3-D2A1-E611-B6EC-005056BA6623
IUCN Constituent type: 
IUCN Species Survival Commission 2017-2020
Period covered: 
2018
Geographic scope: 
Global
In implementing this Resolution your organization has worked/consulted with...
IUCN Members: 
Zoological Society of London ( ZSL ) / United Kingdom
IUCN Commissions: 
F717E09E-5094-E611-97F4-005056BA6623
IUCN Secretariat: 
No
Other non-IUCN related organisations: 
CITES secretariat; TRAFFIC; CMS secretariat; various Range states; Sargasso Sea Commission; Chuo University, Japan; ICES; Philippines Bureau for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources; University College London
Implementation
Indicate and briefly describe any actions that have been carried out to implement this Resolution: 
ActionDescriptionStatus
Capacity-buildingZSL, the Philippines Department for Environment and Natural Resources and the Philippines Bureau for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) are implementing a project that aims to build capcity in a number of communities in the country such that freshwater resources are better managed. This has included using eels as a flagship species, and there are efforts to try and replicate the work in other parts of the country. Further, eel management plans, the first of which was established in the Cagayan River where this project is based, are now being developed throughout the country and a workshop was held to bring managers across the Philippines together. ZSL also hosted a workshop to train BFAR staff in the use of remote telemtry for studying aquatic species.On-going
Convene stakeholders/NetworkingThere have been a number of workshops that have occurred in the past twelve months relating to anguillid eels. Under CITES Decisions 17.186-17.189 two workshops were held. The first was in the Dominican Republic relating to the American eel; this was the first time many of the Caribbean range states had been engaged and it was an extremely useful meeting to build relationships between range states, but also with relevant agencies within countries. Soon after this, a workshop was held in London which brought a wide range of anguillid eel stakeholders together to discuss the status of anguillid eels broadly and how CITES can work to conserve the Appendix II listed European eel, but also non-listed species. The CMS secretariat and the Sargasso Sea Commission, in collaboration woth ZSL, held the second European eel Range State workshop to discuss the development of a mechanism under CMS to progress European eel conservation. Importantly this included representation from North Africa, a region where our knowledge of the species is limited. The thurd meeting has already been planned for the coming 12 months where we are hopeful a final draft of the CMS mechanism can be agreed by range states. SEAFDEC held a workshop in Thailand to bring together East Asian government representatives to discuss the sustainable management of anguillid eel resources.Completed
Policy influencing/advocacyZSL delivered two major reports on the status of anguillid eels under CITES Decisions 17.186-17.189. One related to the implementation of the Appendix II listing of the European eel - https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/com/ac/30/E-AC30-18-01-A1.pdf; the second related to the status of non-listed anguillids - https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/com/ac/30/E-AC30-18-01-A2.pdf. The reporst were discussed at a worksing group at the CITES Animals Committee and Standing Committee. There was also a side event held at AC focussing on eels. The outputs of these meeting will be discussed at CoP in 2019. The IUCN AESG engages with a number of range states on their policy relating to eels and visits were made to Japan, the Philippines and the European Commission to engage with policymakers.Completed
Scientific/technical activitiesThe second Red List assessment workshop of the Anguillid Eel Specialist Group was convened at ZSL in November. 13 experts reviewed the status of all 16 species and we are looking to publish these during 2019. As part of a project in the Philippines, ZSL and the Philippines Bureau for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources have established a small acoustic receiver array in the Cagayan River in order to increase our understanding of the movement of eel species found in the region - this is the first study of its kind in the Philippines.On-going
Please report on the result /achievement of the actions taken: 
There have been a number of high profile activities relating to anguillid eels over the past 12 months that have undoubtedly progressed the discussions relating to the conservation of the species and associated habitats. These have been extremely timely due to the IUCN AESG holding their second workshop in 2018 and the updated Red List assessments will be key in driving forward further initiatives.
It is becoming increasingly clear that impacts on one species can have knock on effects elsewhere - particularly in relation to exploitation and trade - and while this may require a shift in thinking in relation to conservation and management, these progressions in our understanding can only be beneficial.
Identify and briefly describe what future actions are planned for the implementation of this Resolution: 
Future ActionDescription
Capacity-buildingOn-going implementation of work in the Philippines.
Convene stakeholders/NetworkingThird meeting of the European eel Range States under CMS
Policy influencing/advocacyCITES CoP 18 in Sri Lanka - including the possibility of an eel-focussed side event.
Scientific/technical activitiesPublication of updated Red List Assessments.