WCC 2020 Res 040 - Activity Report

Collaboration with enthusiastic young conservationists, who are involved in the IAF Youth and Translations Groups, and who provide the translation capacity for our Portals, has encouraged dissemination of an understanding of sustainable use and the concerns relating to illegal trafficking, including cyber-trafficking.
The intention of www.sakernet.org is to communicate with relevant users of the saker falcon across its range and to provide information to them as well as establishing their concerns and perceptions. This provides a valuable access to address unsustainable and illegal use and to provide information and possible support for whistle-blowers.

1) The major ongoing project of the SUME Thematic Group is the development of the multilingual internet portal: www.naturalliance.org which is designed to provide information, at grass-roots level, on the value and management of sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems and which is now available in multiple national and regional sites and, currently, in 42 languages. This portal has involved collaboration with the International Association for Falconry and the Conservation of Birds of Prey (IAF) who have provided translation capacity, the European Sustainable Use Group (ESUG) who have assisted with content and Anatrak Pty Lt which has provided IT development and support. Through this Portal, awareness of illegal unsustainable trafficking, including cyber-trafficking is developed and so combatted.
2) SUME is actively engaged in the Saker Task Force of the CMS Raptors MoU. A significant focus of this Group is to address illegal trafficking of the saker falcon – including cyber-trafficking. We have developed, in collaboration with the IAF and BirdLife International, a multilingual portal: www.sakernet.org which is currently available in 10 languages relevant to the saker range-states. The purpose of this portal has been to establish communication with falconers, trappers and traders and create awareness of saker conservation issues through building trust. There are plans to enhance this portal to address illegal trafficking and manage any legal sustainable trade.