Donnelly, Marydele 



Japanese Trade in Hawksbill Shell from 

 *" the Wider Caribbean 1970 - 1986 



The Center for Environmental Education 

 Washington D.C. 20036 USA 



A recent report produced by TRAFFIC (JAPAN) at the request 

 of the Center for Environmental Education (CEE) reveals that 

 Japanese imports of hawksbill shell (bekko) from the Wider 

 Caribbean totalled 327,938 kg from 1970-1986. These figures 

 represent an estimated 251,660 hawksbill turtles. The Wider 

 Caribbean provided 51.1% of Japan's hawksbill shell imports 

 during the 16-year period. 



The Japanese trade in sea turtles has been unequalled 

 anywhere in the world. In 1980, in response to international 

 pressure to protect diminished sea turtle populations, Japan 

 imposed an annual limit of 30,000 kg (approximately 28,000 

 turtles) on its hawksbill imports when it acceded to The 

 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild 

 Fauna and Flora (CITES) . 



Under CITES, sea turtles are listed on Appendix I which 

 prohibits commercial trade. CITES, however, allows countries to 

 take reservations or exceptions to Appendix I listings. A 

 country with a reservation can continue to trade in an Appendix I 

 species with non-CITES countries or CITES countries holding 

 similar reservations. In 1980 Japan took a reservation for 

 green, olive ridley, and hawksbill turtles (the reservation on 

 the green turtle was dropped in 1987). Since 1980, Japan has 

 violated CITES resolutions by trading with other CITES nations 

 and by importing sea turtle products from non-CITES nations which 

 prohibit this trade. 



Sea turtle populations in the Wider Caribbean will continue 

 to be jeopardized by Japanese trade not only because many nations 

 in the region are not CITES members but because Japanese trade in 

 the Wider Caribbean could increase. In 1985 and 1986, for 

 example, Cuba exported more shell to Japan than any other country 

 in the world. Continued high levels of Japanese imports and 

 changes in sources of imports will place additional burdens on 

 sea turtles in the region. Japan is now making an effort not to 

 import sea turtle products from other CITES nations. Japanese 

 imports from non-CITES nations in the Caribbean are expected to 

 increase as Japan moves away from traditional CITES sources such 

 as Indonesia. In the last year, imports from Haiti and Jamaica, 

 nations which have not joined CITES, have increased. 



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