Garabed is an oceans campaigner with Greenpeace in Lebanon. He is part of our team in Doha, following the CITES meeting that could save or fail bluefin tuna
Perplexity was the word of CITES Day 5. The morning had started with reporters roaming the corridors of the Sheraton asking environmentalists their reaction to the sharks proposal being defeated in the closing hours of Day 4. Oliver was interviewed by Al-Jazeera to clarify the fact that the proposal in concern was put forward by the CITES Secretariat to try and provide greater transparency in the shark fishing industry and conduct further research into its impacts. The conclusion was indeed disappointing but on no account affects the proposals of listing several endangered shark species on Appendix II, which are still to be discussed next week.
Next on the list was Japan's shift in strategy to lobby for listing bluefin tuna on Appendix II, instead of Appendix I as initially proposed by Monaco. Indeed, Appendix II would imply a regulated fishing scheme and would refer the whole case to a certain RFMO, otherwise known as ICCAT, which in turn would entail business as usual. Our concern is, however, that this new development might create a sense of befuddlement within the less concerned delegations, an outcome which the Japanese delegation would be monitoring, with their (literally) hundred eyes, to exploit.
In another interesting turn of events, the Arab nations have made a precedent to finally unite and agree on a common decision. Unfortunately, they're going for the wrong decision - an Appendix II listing for bluefin tuna. Full marks for the strategy but none for rational thinking. The decision introduces further trouble to a case already infested by numerous intricacies, promising, yet again, that it will be a close race till the end.
Tomorrow promises an extremely interesting and yet important day with the proposals regarding bluefin tuna and the polar bear both scheduled to be discussed. The former species might be listed on Appendix II instead of Appendix I if the Japanese bloc can ensure a simple majority. Otherwise, it will either be voted for an appendix I listing, in which case 2/3 votes are needed for adoption, or, if further complications arise (note the European list of reservations), the case might be referred to a working group to discuss during the weekend and put on to a vote again next week.
There is a side-event organized by WWF at noon featuring Charles Clover, during which a 50 min edit of his movie The End of The Line will be screened. We will be present distributing DVDs of the movie with some last minute advocacy work.
Tomorrow might be the beginning of a long process towards the conservation or the collapse of the BFT fishery. Fingers crossed for some good news...
Photo: © Greenpeace / Giulio Di Sturco