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  From Loretta Ann Soosayraj 20 Jul 06
Indonesia to protect native wildlife at all costs

TRAFFIC Southeast Asia 3 Jul 06
Illegal turtle shipment seized in Singapore

Channel NewsAsia 5 Jul 06
Singapore rescues 630 endangered turtles destined for cooking pots

The Straits Times 6 Jul 06
630 soft shell turtles seized in 2nd wildlife raid in two weeks

A CONSIGNMENT of 630 endangered Asian softshell turtles from Indonesia was seized last Friday at Jurong Fishing Port by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), the second such seizure in the last two weeks. Acting on a tip-off, AVA raided a boat that arrived from Tembilahan, in Indonesia's Riau province.

According to AVA, 25 of the turtles, which were intended for consumption here, were already dead on arrival. By the time they were taken back to Batam yesterday, 332 had died, despite being attended to by AVA's veterinarian. The consignment was valued at $50,000, or nearly $80 per turtle.

The Asian softshell turtle is listed under Appendix II of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, commonly referred to as Cites. Cites-listed species can also only be exported from registered ports. Tembilahan is not among them.

Two weeks ago, 2,250 Asian box turtles were seized from a vessel that had also sailed from Tembilahan.

Freshwater turtles are valued by many Chinese, who consider a dish made of turtle and medicinal herbs a tonic.

TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, a non-governmental organisation that campaigns against the illegal wildlife trade, praised the Singapore authorities for their decisive action.

'These seizures clearly demonstrate Singapore's commitment to regional efforts in combating wildlife smuggling,'' said Traffic Southeast Asia's senior programme officer, Mr Chris Shepherd.

AVA said a 35-year-old Singaporean man is expected to be charged soon for the offence, which carries a maximum fine of $500,000, a jail term of up to two years, or both.

Channel NewsAsia 5 Jul 06
Singapore rescues 630 endangered turtles destined for cooking pots

SINGAPORE : Singapore authorities have rescued 630 endangered turtles smuggled from Indonesia and destined for cooking pots here, a wildlife trafficking watchdog and the government said Wednesday.

A 35-year-old Singaporean man believed to have imported the Asian Softshell Turtles was arrested and will be charged under legislation covering the illegal trade of endangered species that came into effect in March. He faces a fine of up to 500,000 Singapore dollars (316,000 US) and a maximum jail term of two years on conviction, the non-government group TRAFFIC Southeast Asia said in a statement.

A spokesman for Singapore's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) confirmed the statement. "The turtles were being illegally imported into Singapore for consumption," the statement said.

Turtle soup, a product of turtle meat cooked with Chinese herbs, is a delicacy sought after by certain people because it is believed to boost one's immune system and offer other health benefits.

Another by-product, herbal turtle jelly, is believed to keep youthfulness and improve organ functions.

The turtles, worth about 50,000 dollars, were smuggled in a boat that arrived at a fish port here on Friday from Indonesia's Riau province. AVA officers, acting on a tip-off, boarded the boat and found the turtles, but 25 were already dead.

Under the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, Asian Softshell Turtles are an endangered species. It was the second mass seizure of smuggled turtles in Singapore since last month when 2,520 Asian Box Turtles were intercepted on a boat that arrived from Indonesia, according to the statement.

"We are stepping enforcement efforts at our end because we want to send a clear message across that Singapore is not a transit hub for illegal wildlife trade," the statement quoted AVA's wildlife regulatory branch head Lye Fong Keng as saying. - AFP /ct

TRAFFIC Southeast Asia 3 Jul 06
Illegal turtle shipment seized in Singapore

Kuala Lumpur, July 3 -- Six hundred and thirty Asian Softshell Turtles Amyda cartilaginea from Indonesia were confiscated by the authorities at the Jurong Fishing Port in Singapore last Friday.

The turtles were being illegally imported into Singapore for consumption. The turtles, worth approximately SGD 50,000, had arrived by boat in the early afternoon from the Port of Tembilahan, Riau, in Sumatra, Indonesia. Twenty five were dead on arrival, and the remaining individuals are awaiting repatriation.

Acting on a tip-off, enforcement officers from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), the CITES Management Authority of Singapore, inspected the vessel and found the illegal reptile consignment.

The 25-year-old Singaporean who imported the turtles has been arrested and will be charged soon under the newly revised Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 2005 (ESA), which came into force on March 1, 2006. He faces the possibility of being fined up to SGD50,000 (USD31,362) per specimen, subject to a maximum of SGD500,000 (USD313,620), and up to a maximum jail term of two years upon conviction.

Asian Softshell Turtles are listed on Appendix II of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which means trade in this species is legal only with a valid CITES permit. This shipment was unaccompanied by any CITES documentation, and also contravened the Indonesian government's prohibition of CITES-listed species being exported from unregistered ports, such as Tembilahan.

This is the second seizure of turtles in Singapore in the past month, following the interception of 2520 South-east Asian Box Turtles Cuora amboinensis which arrived at the Jurong Fishing Port - also originating from Tembilahan - on June 13.

"We are stepping enforcement efforts at our end, because we want to send a clear message across that Singapore is not a transit hub for the illegal wildlife trade," said AVA's Wildlife Regulatory Branch Head, Lye Fong Keng.

These recent seizures also highlight the need for enhanced enforcement in Indonesia, as for each seizure made, many others probably successfully pass through undetected.

While Indonesia has strict legislative requirements that only permit the export of CITES-listed species from certain ports, and imposes fixed export quotas (27,000 specimens annually for Asian Softshell Turtles), consistent and efficient monitoring and enforcement remains a challenge, especially with increasingly sophisticated smuggling methods.

Singapore and Indonesia joined fellow Member Countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN*) in launching the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) in December 2005.

The network focuses on enhancing wildlife law enforcement at the national level, and increased co-operation between government authorities dealing with CITES, Customs and Police jurisdictions to counteract wildlife crime.

TRAFFIC Southeast Asia and WildAid, two NGOs working to support ASEAN-WEN, commended Singapore's actions as a key step in the global fight against illegal wildlife smuggling.

"Singapore is taking exemplary action in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade," said TRAFFIC Southeast Asia Senior Programme Officer Chris R. Shepherd. "These seizures clearly demonstrate Singapore's commitment to regional efforts in combating widespread illegal practices of wildlife smuggling."

From Loretta Ann Soosayraj 20 Jul 06
Indonesia to protect native wildlife at all costs

Jakarta, Indonesia - The Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation (PHKA) applauds the efforts of the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) in disrupting the smuggling of Indonesian freshwater turtle species recently.

On June 13, 2520 South-east Asian Box Turtles Cuora amboinensis were seized in Singapore’s Jurong Fishing Port from Tembilahan in Sumatra, Indonesia. The captain of the Indonesian ship had pleaded guilty to illegally transporting the turtles, and was sentenced to a term of 5 months imprisonment and fined approximately USD12,545.

On June 30, another seizure was made in the same port, of 630 Asian Softshell Turtles Amyda cartilaginea, also from Tembilahan. The Singaporean importer of this shipment faces the possibility of being fined up to approximately USD31,362 per specimen, subject to a maximum of USD313,620, and up to a maximum jail term of two years upon conviction.

Both these species are listed on Appendix II of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which means trade in this species is legal only with a valid CITES permit. Neither shipment had accompanying valid permits.

AVA, Singapore’s CITES Management Authority, is stepping enforcement its efforts to send a clear message that Singapore is not a transit hub for the illegal wildlife trade.

“We would like to congratulate Singapore on the recent seizures, as Indonesia wants to protect its wildlife at all costs,” said Adi Susmianto, PHKA’s Director of Biodiversity Conservation of Forest Protection (PHKA), Indonesia’s CITES Management Authority. “There has also been increased communication and cooperation between us and this is a vital step to eradicate the illegal wildlife trade in the region,” he said.

Following the seizures, PHKA has instructed the Head of Conservation Unit Office of the Riau Province to conduct routine patrols in Batam and Tembilahan, two locations often used by wildlife traffickers.

“We intend to go after all Indonesian exporters who are smuggling wildlife,” said Adi.

PHKA has also requested for the Port Authority of Tembilahan and Fish Quarantine in Tembilahan to support its efforts to monitor all wildlife trade activity within these ports, especially involving freshwater turtles.

In August this year, a wildlife trade workshop will be held for PHKA staff to enhance their smuggling detection and enforcement skills. Indonesia is a major exporter of wildlife, particularly for food consumption, pet and traditional medicine markets.

It is imperative that countries work closely together to keep up with the increasing sophistication of the illegal wildlife trade smuggling network.

Singapore and Indonesia joined fellow Member Countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in launching the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) in December 2005. The network focuses on enhancing wildlife law enforcement at the national level, and increased co-operation between government authorities dealing with CITES, Customs and Police jurisdictions to counteract wildlife crime.
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ASEAN Wildlife Trade Initiative on the TRAFFIC website
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