FAO Banggai Cardinalfish Assessment
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Wild Banggai Cardinals in North Sulawesi. Jenny Huang/Flickr
[edit] ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
The Panel concluded that Banggai cardinalfish did not meet the biological criteria for Appendix II listing.
The information provided in the proposal to support inclusion did not demonstrate a decline to criterion levels for population size. Although one subpopulation has been extirpated there was no evidence of decline in area of occurrence or number of subpopulations to criterion levels. Recent harvest levels are compatible with productivity although there are risk factors.
International trade is the major factor driving exploitation of this species. There would appear to be few complications associated with implementing an Appendix II listing, other than certification required for specimens coming from captive breeding. Short-term socioeconomic impacts of listing could however be significant for local communities.
The Panel is concerned that Appendix II listing will hinder national management efforts for this species. The Panel emphasized that existing efforts to strengthen management should be pursued urgently to ensure that rates of exploitation do not exceed sustainable levels. The Panel noted that the Government of Indonesia and concerned NGOs are making efforts to pursue management and captive breeding in cooperation with local communities.
The Panel concluded that Banggai cardinalfish should not be listed on CITES Appendix II.
SOURCE: FAO Report PDF
FAO Fisheries Report No. 833
Report of the
SECOND FAO AD HOC EXPERT ADVISORY PANEL FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSALS TO AMEND APPENDICES I AND II OF CITES CONCERNING COMMERCIALLY-EXPLOITED AQUATIC SPECIES
Rome, 26–30 March 2007