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<< Notifications of 2001

No. 2001/023
Geneva, 16 March 2001

Notification to the Parties

CONCERNING:

Information request concerning seahorses
and other members of the family Syngnathidae

1. The Secretariat hereby requests Parties to provide information on seahorses and other members of the family Syngnathidae for discussion at a technical workshop on the conservation of this family, as directed in Decision 11.153. The Secretariat has consulted extensively on this subject with the Animals Committee and is pleased to forward this information request based on the advice of the Animals Committee.

2. It is expected that information on this family will be limited and that consultation with various bodies involved with their conservation or fisheries at national level may be required, e.g. fisheries management authorities, Customs authorities, fisheries organizations, traders in dried seafood, traders in traditional medicines, traders in aquarium and ornamental fishes, universities, museums and public aquaria. Quantitative as well as qualitative input (including anecdotal information and traditional knowledge) will be appreciated.

3. Information is sought regarding the subjects below and should, where possible, distinguish between seahorses and other syngnathids. A more detailed breakdown of information by species would be welcome but is not absolutely necessary.

a) Government agencies and other institutions that have or may have information on the biology, catch and bycatch of, and trade in seahorses and other syngnathids. Please provide contact details.

b) Research (including biological, fisheries, trade and market studies) that is currently being undertaken on seahorses and other syngnathids. Please provide contact details of the researchers.

c) Species of seahorses and other syngnathids that occur in each country. Please indicate the distribution of each species on a map, if possible.

d) Any population data on seahorses and other syngnathids that may be available, particularly data indicating known or inferred changes in number over time.

e) Existing monitoring of landings or trade in seahorses and other syngnathids. If any, please provide any fisheries or Customs codes used, and any available data on catch, import, export, re-export and domestic trade.

f) Concern at national level about the conservation status of seahorses and other syngnathids. If any species is included in national lists of species of special conservation concern, please provide details of their conservation status and the reason for their inclusion.

g) National protection of seahorses and other syngnathids. If this group is protected at national level in any way, please provide details of the legislation and explain why they are protected.

4. It would be greatly appreciated if the Secretariat could be provided with the information requested by the end of June 2001.

5. The Secretariat is looking for funding and invites the Parties or organizations that may be interested in supporting the workshop financially to inform it as soon as possible.