Sharks & Manta Rays: Protect fish or fishermen?

Sharks & manta rays may soon disappear completely (extinction) unless protected but laws may hurt Thai fishermen & fish industries.

Manta Ray in the sea at Hin Daeng, Thailand (Source: Wikipedia)

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Wildlife

Govt draws the line on shark, manta ray listing

Wimol says protection will hurt Thai fishing
6 Mar 2013
Apinya Wipatayotin

Pol Maj Gen Kiattipong Khawsamang, commander of Surat Thani provincial police, receives the Clark R Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Award 2013. The award is given to law enforcement officers with outstanding records in fighting crime involving wildlife. (Photo: Panumas Sanguangwong)

The Department of Fisheries is unhappy with a proposal by the United States and South American nations to put sharks and manta rays on Cites's protection list to control international trade of the fish species.

Bangkok is hosting the 16th conference of the parties to the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) which will run until March 14.

The listing of three shark species and four manta ray species on Cites's Appendix II is one of the crucial agenda items at the meeting and delegates will decide on the matter on Friday.

According to Cites, Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but may become so unless trade is closely controlled. 

International trade in specimens of Appendix II species may be authorised by the granting of an export permit or re-export certificate.

Fisheries Department chief Wimol Jantrarotai said Tuesday his agency disagrees with the proposed listing as it could hurt local fishermen and the ornamental fish industry and fish breeding programmes.

He said Thailand enforces laws and regulations to preserve marine fish species such as banning fishing in a 4.5km area from the shore and imposing a three-month fishing ban during the breeding season.

The department's artificial reef projects, which were created in 435 sites in 22 provinces, had also increased the habitat for marine species, including sharks and sting rays.

Mr Wimol said the Cites parties had initially agreed that each member country must report on shark fishing.

"Shark fishing is not popular in Thailand. Sharks accounted for less than 0.5% of total fish caught in Thai waters," he said.

Listing the sharks on the protection list could land our fishermen in trouble as they might unintentionally catch the fish and be punished.

The proposed listing of the manta rays, meanwhile, would affect the local ornamental fish breeding industry, which makes more than 800 million baht a year.

Thailand imports freshwater manta ray from South American countries for breeding and then exports the fish to Europe, Japan and the US, Mr Wimol said. He said listing the manta ray could pose difficulties in the import and export of the fish species.

Three of the four manta ray species proposed for listing were popular among Thai breeders, he added.

We are seeking additional information about the listing of the sharks and manta ray from the countries that support the proposal.

"However, it is likely we will not support the listings as it could be bad for our fishing and ornamental fish industry," he said.

In another development, the Wildlife Conservation Society yesterday revealed a study on the African elephant population, saying the elephant population has fallen by 62% between 2002-2011. High human population density, poaching, and an absence of law enforcement are the main causes, the report said. 

Experts estimate there are about 100,000 African elephants in the wild and that 80% of ivory products sold in worldwide markets are from African elephants killed in Kenya and Tanzania.

About 2,000 delegates from over 150 countries are attending the conference, along with representatives from non-governmental organisations and businesses.

(Source: Bangkok Post, Local News, Govt draws the line on shark, manta ray listing, Wimol says protection will hurt Thai fishing, 6 Mar 2013, Apinya Wipatayotin, link) 

 
Wildlife Preservation & Protection Vocabulary

shark -  ฉลาม,  ปลาฉลาม (See Wikipedia)
manta ray - (See Wikipedia)

wildlife -  animals, birds and plants living in natural conditions such as the jungle (not with people) สัตว์ป่า
domesticated animals - animals that live with people (either as pets or farm animals)
fighting crime involving wildlife

preservation - การอนุรักษ์, การสงวนรักษา
wildlife preservation
wildlife protection

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) - an international treaty that many countries have signed with the goal to "ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species in the wild, and it accords varying degrees of protection to more than 34,000 species of animals and plants" (See Wikipedia)

Cites's protection list
shark listing
manta ray listing

endangered species - kinds of animals with very few still living (may soon disappear completely) สัตว์ใกล้สูญพันธุ์

extinction - death of all living members of a species of animal or plant การสูญพันธุ์
threatened - a danger exists, something bad may happen (if action is not taken)
species threatened with extinction

Clark R Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Award - "The Awards are named for the late Chief of the Division of Law Enforcement for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service who pioneered the Division's highly effective undercover investigations and "sting" operations. They are presented to persons who have engaged in one or more exemplary law enforcement actions to protect species of wildlife listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (or CITES)" (See article)

commander - a police offer of high rank ผู้บังคับบัญชา
commander of Surat Thani provincial police

law enforcement - making sure a law is obeyed and punishing people if it is not obeyed การบังคับใช้กฎหมาย
law enforcement officers - Same as "police"

outstanding - clearly very much better than what is usual ยอดเยี่ยม, ดีเด่น
record - the list of things that a person has done and achieved บันทึุก

outstanding records - the person has achieved many great things
outstanding records in fighting crime

award - a prize or a sum of money that is given to someone for something good they have done รางวัล
The award is given to law enforcement officers with outstanding records in fighting crime involving wildlife

draws the line on - make a limit to what you will do (you agree to do other things but not this)
Govt draws the line on shark, manta ray listing

species - a set of animals or plants in which the members have similar characteristics to each other and can breed with each other พันธ์,จำพวก
fish species

international - ระหว่างประเทศ between countries
trade - the buying and selling of goods การค้าขาย
international trade

control international trade of the fish species

Cites's protection list to control international trade of the fish species

proposal - a plan or suggestion for a group to consider ข้อเสนอ
a proposal to put sharks and manta rays on Cites's protection list to control international trade of the fish species

hosting - to provide a place for an event (and to organize the event too)
hosting the conference

parties - people or companies entering into a business arrangement or deal
the parties to the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites)

Bangkok is hosting the 16th conference of the parties to the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites)

agenda - a list of things that people will discuss at a meeting ระเบียบวาระ
agenda items

meeting - when a group of people come together to discuss issues and make decisions การประชุม
agenda items at the meeting

crucial - very important because it effects the result of something สำคัญยิ่ง
crucial agenda items at the meeting

matter - a situation or subject which is being dealt with or considered เรื่อง, ภารกิจ, งาน  สิ่งที่พูดถึง ประเด็นที่พูดถึง
decide on the matter

delegates - people who are attending a large meeting or convention (who are representing other people such as a government)
delegates will decide on the matter on Friday.

The listing of three shark species and four manta ray species on Cites's Appendix II is one of crucial agenda items at the meeting and delegates will decide on the matter on Friday.

According to Cites, Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but may become so unless trade is closely controlled. 

granting - officially giving (changing ownership, not lending for a time period)
granting of an export permit

certificate - an official document or record stating that particular facts are true ประกาศนียบัตร เกียรติบัตร
re-export certificate

authorised - activity given official permission to happen ได้สั่งการให้
authorised by the granting of an export permit or re-export certificate

International trade in specimens of Appendix II species may be authorised by the granting of an export permit or re-export certificate.

proposed - suggested (but not yet chosen or decided upon)
proposed listing

local - in this country (Thailand)
local fishermen

ornamental - ที่ใช้ประดับ,  ซึ่งใช้ในการตกแต่ง

ornamental fish - fish that people raise in an aquarium to view as a hobby (See Wikipedia)
ornamental fish industry

aquarium - a glass container for raising fish, fish tank  ตู้ปลา
breeding - the keeping of animals or plants in order to produce young animals from them การผสมพันธุ์สัตว์เพื่อขยายพันธุ์

fishkeeping - the activity of keeping and raising fish and raising them in one's home or workplace (See Wikipedia)
fish breeding - the activity of making new fish (See Wikipedia)
fish breeding programmes

the Fisheries Department disagrees with the proposed listing as it could hurt local fishermen and the ornamental fish industry and fish breeding programmes

regulations - rules made by the government to control how some activity is done กฎระเบียบ ระเบียบ ข้อบังคับ ระเบียบปฏิบัติ
laws and regulations

enforce 
enforce laws and regulations

marine - relating to the sea and creatures that live in it เกี่ยวกับทะเล
marine fish species

preserve - to keep something as it is, especially in order to prevent it from being damaged or destroyed ทำให้คงอยู่, สงวน อนุรักษ์
preserve marine fish species

enforce laws and regulations to preserve marine fish species

ban - an official statement ordering people not to do something ห้าม การห้าม ห้ามอย่างเป็นทางการ
a fishing ban
a three-month fishing ban

impose a ban - start a ban (begin controlling an activity)
imposing a fishing ban during the breeding season

season - a time period during the year
the breeding season
imposing a fishing ban during the breeding season

He said Thailand enforces laws and regulations to preserve marine fish species such as banning fishing in a 4.5km area from the shore and imposing a three-month fishing ban during the breeding season.

reef  - rocks or coral under the water (dangerous for ships) แนวหินโสโครก, แนวปะการังใต้ทะเล submerged rocks under the water  หินโสโครก   
coral reef - coral under the water    หินปะการัง   

artificial - not natural, made by humans จำลอง ที่มนุษย์สร้างขึ้น ที่ประดิษฐ์ขึ้น
artificial reef

artificial reef projects

habitat - the type of place that a particular animal usually lives in or a particular plant usually grows in ถิ่นที่อยู่ของพืชหรือสัตว์
increased the habitat for marine species

sting - if an insect, plant or animal stings, it produces a small but painful injury, usually with a poison, by brushing against the skin or making a very small hole under the skin แมลงกัดต่อย
sting rays - (See Wikipedia)

The department's artificial reef projects, which were created in 435 sites in 22 provinces, had also increased the habitat for marine species, including sharks and sting rays.

initially - at first;  at the beginning ในเบื้องต้น
initially agreed that
Mr Wimol said the Cites parties had initially agreed that each member country must report on shark fishing.

accounted for ... - is ...
Shark fishing is not popular in Thailand. Sharks accounted for less than 0.5% of total fish caught in Thai waters.

land - to get something, especially in an unexpected way ได้รับ
land in trouble - to get involved in a difficult situation (full of trouble) 
land our fishermen in trouble

unintentionally - not deliberate or planned อย่างไม่ตั้งใจ
unintentionally catch the fish

Listing the sharks on the protection list could land our fishermen in trouble as they might unintentionally catch the fish and be punished.

local ornamental fish breeding industry
The proposed listing of the manta rays, meanwhile, would affect the local ornamental fish breeding industry, which makes more than 800 million baht a year.

saltwater - sea water with salt น้ำเค็ม
freshwater - water in rivers and lakes without salt น้ำจืด
freshwater manta ray

Thailand imports freshwater manta ray from South American countries for breeding and then exports the fish to Europe, Japan and the US 

pose - cause something, especially a problem or difficulty เป็นเหตุให้
pose difficulties

import - to buy or bring in products from another country นำเข้า
import of the fish species

He said listing the manta ray could pose difficulties in the import and export of the fish species.

breeders - people who are raising animals to make more animals

Three of the four manta ray species proposed for listing were popular among Thai breeders, he added.

support - help, by giving money, for example สนับสนุน
support the proposal

We are seeking additional information about the listing of the sharks and manta ray from the countries that support the proposal.

population - all the animals or plants of a particular type or group who live in one country, area or place กลุ่มพืชและสัตว์ที่อาศัยอยู่ในบริเวณหนึ่ง
elephant population
the African elephant population

reveal - to show people something for the first time เปิดเผย
revealed a study
revealed a study on the African elephant population

development - something new that happens in a continuing or ongoing story ....
In another development, ...  - something else that happened ....

In another development, the Wildlife Conservation Society yesterday revealed a study on the African elephant population, saying the elephant population has fallen by 62% between 2002-2011.

density - the number of people or things in an area
high density - many things in a small area
High human population density - many people living in a small area; a crowded area

poaching - to illegally kill or catch an animal การบุกรุกเข้าไปล่าสัตว์

absence - not being present การหายไป ไม่ปรากฏตัว
absence of law enforcement

High human population density, poaching, and an absence of law enforcement are the main causes, the report said. 

ivory - the yellowish-white bone that an elephant's tusks are made of สีงาช้าง
ivory products

estimate - a guess for an amount (not exact) คาดคะเน  โดยประมาณ

Experts estimate there are about 100,000 African elephants in the wild and that 80% of ivory products sold in worldwide markets are from African elephants killed in Kenya and Tanzania.