World Wildlife Fund

Crawford Allan

Posted 16 June 2008, 5.55 PM

Hi - welcome to my blog on Wave Forward. My name is Crawford Allan - I am the Director of TRAFFIC North America, and I am a hammerhead shark according to the fish game!

TRAFFIC is one of the world's largest wildlife trade monitoring networks, founded in 1976 by WWF and IUCN - the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. We focus on combating illegal wildlife trade, working to ensure that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES, is effective in regulating and protecting animals and plants sold in the international marketplace.Now that summer is here, I wanted to use my blog opportunity to discuss wildlife trade and what you should look out for when you are on vacation. When shopping for souvenirs it's easy to stumble upon products made from endangered or threatened wildlife.

Take jewelry for example, it may be beautiful and fairly inexpensive, but if its coral it's likely at the expense of life on the reef. Tempted to buy those high fashion sunglasses? They may be beautiful but they could be deadly for the future of the endangered hawksbill sea turtle! Their shell is used to make frames and combs. Some wildlife souvenirs could be illegal and may be confiscated at Customs -- and that is no way to end a vacation

Posted 17 June 2008, 5.11 PM

Josie K. wrote:
I am shortly about to leave for a cruise around the Caribbean - what should I be l out when I buy souvenirs?

Crawford's response:
It's great that you are thinking about buying smart on your cruise, thanks. The caribbean is home to six of the world's seven sea turtle species and nearly one-third of the plants and animals in the caribbean islands are found nowhere else in the world. Consequently, many caribbean countries protect their native wildlife under both national and international laws.

By making informed choices about the souvenirs you buy you can avoid both harming the environment and wildlife in these paradise islands but also prevent an embarrassing or time consuming run in with the authorities if what you buy cannot be legally taken out of the country.

Here is a list of wildlife items to avoid for the sake of the planet and your peace of mind:

• All sea turtle products (such as shells, jewelry, combs, oil, eggs and meat)
• Certain live birds, including many parrots, macaws, cockatoos, and finches
• Any live native wild animal or plant
• Some wild bird feathers, mounted birds, skins, and some skin products
• Live monkeys
• Spotted cat skin products
• Some corals and coral products
• Certain orchids, cacti, and cycads

There is also a Buyer Beware Caribbean list of items to watch your for when you are on vacation. Hope you have a great trip.

Posted 18 June 2008, 5.06 PM

Elizabeth B. wrote:
For my upcoming vacation I would really like to buy a local souvenir that benefits local p- how can I do this?

Crawford's response:
Perfect timing for this a question as Jill Hepp, Program Officer for TRAFFIC-North America, has just come back from the field having investigated the relationship between wildlife trade, tourism and livelihoods. She was in Yucatán, Mexico recently and visited several coastal communities and cruise ship ports to discover what was being sold as local souvenirs, and identify where they originated from. I have pasted an extract here from her trip report:

"The most significant finding from the trip was that many of the "local" souvenirs being sold on street markets and in souvenir shops were not crafted locally - they were often imported. For example red coral are NOT local to the Caribbean, but red coral jewelry could be found in all the street markets and were probably manufactured in Asia. We are concerned about the impact of the is trade on the species and marine habitat. Much more could be done by artisans to craft authentic, locally sourced souvenirs with more of the profits remaining in these coastal communities."

So our advice is to do some research on your destination, even before you go, with a good guidebook or on the internet, to seek out locally crafted souvenirs. In some places there are also co-operative groups that promote local sustainable products that make amazing souvenirs and gifts and don't cost the earth.

Thanks for your concern, your efforts will help protect wildlife from unsustainable and illegal trade just by being a conscientious shopper!