Seminar "Marine & Water Environmental Conservation" at HKU (17/10/2016)
The world is dealing with an unprecedented spike in illegal wildlife trade, threatening to overturn decades of conservation gains. Particular problems are associated with illegal wildlife trade, which is usually driven by a demand for rare, protected species which need to be smuggled and/or by a desire to avoid paying duties. The existence of illegal trade is also worrying because it undermines countries’ efforts to protect their natural resources.
When we talk about “illegal trades” in Hong Kong, most of us are reminded of iPhones, baby formula powder or illegal drugs. But have you ever considered that several products of marine resources are also being smuggled? The Humphead wrasse, also known as the Napoleon wrasse, is an example of a marine resource implicated in local illegal trades, and that does not receive the attention that it calls for. Fetching high prices in the live reef food fish market, this Endangered (EN) species is continually sought after despite regulations imposed on its trade. Greater awareness and enforcement effort for the protection of this species is crucial for maintaining the survival of their populations worldwide.
Where: Room CPD3.28, 3/F, The Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus, Hong Kong University, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
When: October 17, 2016 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm
This Conference is public and free of charge
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Event co-organized by the University of Hong Kong.
Experts:
Vicki Sheng from the SWIMS
Research assistant at The Swire Institute of Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong. She is leading researches on seafood illegal trade between Europe and Asia.
Jovy Tam – ERM
Mr Jovy Tam is a Principal Consultant of the Marine Science Team in ERM Hong Kong. Jovy has over 10 years of experience in environmental management and marine conservation, advising both public and private sectors on issues related to environmental impacts and protection of marine environment. His experience cover the Asia Pacific region, including Hong Kong, China, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and the Philippines etc.
Stanley Shea from BLOOM
Stan is the Marine Programme Director of BLOOM Association Hong Kong (BLOOM HK). He holds a B.Sc in Environmental Sciences from Oxford Brookes University and an M.Phil in Ecology and Biodiversity from the Swire Marine Institute of Science (SWIMS) of The University of Hong Kong (HKU), where he completed a master’s thesis on the abundance and diversity of corallivorous chaetodontid (butterfly fish) species as an indicator of coral reef health in Hong Kong.
Yannick Kuehl – Traffic
Dr Yannick Kuehl, TRAFFIC’s Regional Director, East & South Asia.
Writers:
Justin Monier, Scientific Officer in Hong Kong
Julie Metta, Scientific Officer in Hong Kong