Highlights for Tuesday, 21 April 2009
The AC met in plenary in the morning and in working groups throughout the afternoon. In the morning, participants discussed nomenclature issues, the regional workshop on sharks and stingrays, transport of live animals, possible proposals for consideration at CoP15, the Asia and Oceania regional reports, and continued discussions on the draft resolution on NDFs recommended by PC18. The AC formed three working groups on NDFs, nomenclature and transport of live animals.
All working groups, except the one on sea cucumber fisheries, convened throughout the afternoon. The Working Group on Sharks completed discussions on the outcomes of the regional workshop on South American freshwater stingrays (AC24 Doc.14.2), including on: how to gather evidence to support significant decline of species; the requirements for Appendix III listing of sharks; the importance of maintaining sustainable use of ornamental fishing; and the need to strengthen domestic management. The Working Group on NDFs continued deliberations on whether or not to adopt the PC's recommendations. The Working Group agreed to some elements of the PC's recommendations, such as a notification to collect feedback from parties on the International NDF workshop, but would continue discussions on a draft decision instructing parties to continue their work on NDFs, rather than a draft resolution for CoP15 that,
inter alia, suggests possible guidelines for NDFs, as suggested by the PC.
The AC briefly reconvened in plenary at the end of the day to note general progress made in the working groups. Periodic Review WG Chair Ibero Solana (Spain) reported that his group had finished its work. All other groups (except sea cucumber that did not yet begin discussions,) will continue deliberations on Wednesday morning.