19.233 to 19.236 Queen conch (Strombus gigas)

Decision directed to
19.233
Decision directed to:
Range States of Strombus gigas

The range States of Strombus gigas are encouraged to:

a) collaborate to implement the Regional Queen Conch Fisheries Management and Conservation Plan, and develop national Queen Conch Fisheries Management and Conservation Plans, as appropriate;

b) continue to collect data on weight of S. gigas by processing grade in order to update and improve the regional conversion factors, and establish or update national conversion factors, taking into account the spatial variability and characteristics of the species;

c) collaborate in developing and implementing joint research programmes at the subregional or regional level to support the making of non-detriment findings that take into account all fishing mortality, promote relevant research and capacity-building activities through regional fisheries management entities and mobilize financial resources for data collection;

d) promote and collaborate in developing and implementing public education and awareness programmes regarding the conservation and sustainable use of S. gigas;

e) continue to collaborate in exploring ways to enhance the traceability of specimens of S. gigas in international trade, including, but not limited to, catch certificates, labelling systems and the application of genetic techniques, and consider sharing relevant experiences with the Secretariat, Parties and the Standing Committee, as appropriate, in the context of discussions on traceability systems for trade in CITES-listed species;

f) collaborate on combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activity;

g) share relevant experiences on traceability systems for specimens of Strombus gigas;

h) share information concerning illegal trade in queen conch, including surveillance and enforcement activities, as appropriate; and

i) provide progress reports on activities a) to h) to the CFMC/OSPESCA/WECAFC/CFRM/CITES working group on queen conch.

19.234
Decision directed to:
Secretariat

The Secretariat shall continue to collaborate with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the CFMC/OSPESCA/WECAFC/CRFM/CITES working group on queen conch, WECAFC, UNCTAD, OECS and other relevant international organizations, and, subject to external funding:

a) provide assistance to range States of S. gigas in order to enhance the capacity of their CITES Management and Scientific Authorities, fisheries authorities and other stakeholders to implement the Regional Queen Conch Fisheries Management and Conservation Plan and national management plans and make scientifically robust non-detriment findings;

b) provide assistance to range States of S. gigas on relevant enforcement issues and report new developments in this regard to the Standing Committee, as appropriate;

c) monitor the development of traceability systems for queen conch and report relevant developments to the Standing Committee, as appropriate; and

d) provide updates on relevant activities of the CFMC/OSPESCA/WECAFC/CRFM/CITES working group on queen conch to the Animals Committee and the Standing Committee, as appropriate.

19.235
Decision directed to:
Animals Committee
The Animals Committee shall consider any reports from the Secretariat under Decision 19.234, paragraph c), and any other relevant available information and make recommendations for the conservation and management of queen conch for consideration by the Standing Committee, as appropriate.
19.236
Decision directed to:
Standing Committee
The Standing Committee shall consider any reports from the Secretariat under Decision 19.234, paragraph c), and any recommendations coming from the Animals Committee and make its own recommendations to the Parties and to the Conference of the Parties to improve implementation of the Convention for queen conch, as appropriate.