Publisher : Veolia Environment
Place of publication :
Publication year : 2012
Thematic : Biodiversity
Language : English
Note
Global species loss during the present human-caused massextinction
far exceeds background rates and is detrimental to human
existence. Across the globe, vertebrate extinction risks are
highest in South-east Asia. This region has among the world’s
fastest recent habitat-loss rates. More of a determinant to the
conservation status of many vertebrates has been a huge explosion
in South-east and East Asian trade demand, and thus harvest
rates, for wild species for luxury food, medicine, tonics, horns
and other trophy parts, and captive animals. The region has little
tradition of effectively managed protected areas. Consequently,
many South-east Asian species will become extinct in the near
future if current trends continue. An emerging programme coordinated
by IUCN SSC on behalf of its member organisations
is being developed to assist implementing agencies and their
partners minimise the impending extinctions among South-east
Asian non-marine vertebrates. The programme is neither a direct
implementing body nor a direct donor, but is a supporter using the
synergistic strength of its constituent organisations and IUCN’s
intergovernmental status to ameliorate perennial challenges to
these species’ conservation.Its two main components are (1) to
identify species at greatest risk of extinction, specify their conservation
needs and support conservation efforts to reduce this
risk; and (2) to build, in selected ways, an enabling environment
for species-specific interventions. To address the first component,
the programme will: develop and maintain a priority species
list with associated priority sites necessary to reduce extinction;
determine what conservation mechanisms are already in place
(many species presently have none), and encourage additional
actions as warranted; and serve as a clearinghouse for information
and skills exchange. To address the second component, the
programme will: work with existing and new donors to prioritise
these species and develop emergency and long-term conservation
funding mechanisms for them; encourage the integration of
priority species into relevant conservation plans; serve as a liaison
body to support dialogue among relevant parties in improving
species’ conservation (e.g. governmental and non-governmental
site- and higher-level implementing agencies, and donors); support
the functionality of information/expertise-based bodies such
as IUCN SSC specialist groups; serve as a mechanism to link
recommended conservation strategies with appropriate ‘stakeholders’;
and increase public awareness of the severity of this
extinction crisis. By October 2012, working species and site lists
will be available and a stakeholder meeting will have discussed
the working mechanics of the programme. Any highly collaborative
effort of this magnitude faces stiff challenges. It must serve
only as a catalyst, recognising and supporting existing efforts,
and encouraging action for species presently not receiving it. All
parties must recognise that not all conservation efforts will be
successful: extinction potential of high-risk species is, by definition,
not negligible. Many of the most-threatened South-east
Asian species have high market value, or are bycatch of those
which do, meaning that powerful vested interests oppose their conservation. Considerably increased funding, primarily to implementing
agencies, for highly-threatened species in South-east
Asia is required. Funding to run the programme must not compete
with the implementing agencies’ existing sources. Human capacity
is also limiting outcomes, and how to effect an appropriate
increase in capable and committed personnel to use increased
funding effectively remains unclear. Finally, the philosophy of
the programme must be recognised by all as only part of overall
species conservation in South-East Asia.
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Keywords : Bluefin tuna
Encoded by : Pauline Carmel Joy Eje
