Proceedings of the International Cyanide Detection Testing Workshop

Goal 2 : Identify steps, agreements, and/or partnerships that could be established between
exporting governments, the U.S. government, NGOs, certifi cation agencies, community
groups, and academic scientists to implement cyanide testing.
Harmonization
Export countries emphasized the need for harmonization of standards between importers
and exporters to eliminate policy gaps and potentially tighten enforcement. Import countries
should create clear requirements for shipments, make the policies available to exporting
countries so they can comply, and make them understandable. Information on quarantine
requirements, clear documentation requirements, and the creation of a unifi ed labeling and
packaging system are all ways to reduce discrepancies.
Training and education
Parties emphasized that tying education and enforcement together is critical to a successful
implementation strategy. This includes educating government offi cials as well. Public awareness
campaigns featuring celebrities or other popular personalities might help get the general public
interested and galvanized on these issues. Education programs must be designed carefully and
with appropriate follow-up, as past education efforts have also made users of cyanide more
clever about covering their tracks. Re-education and training for collectors will be necessary
if some are forced out of the trade by new enforcement and regulations. Parties should work
further on eco-tourism and supplementary livelihood options.
Partnerships
Partnering with multiple stakeholders and interested parties will increase the likelihood of
a successful cyanide testing regime. Importing parties should improve coordination and
communication with importing countries. Data on exporters could be shared with government
agencies in importing countries, including the numbers of legitimate exporters, which ones
still use cyanide, where the fi sh are caught, and so forth. Sharing such information could help
identify legal and illegal shipments for importing countries.
Because the marine aquarium fi sh trade is lucrative for exporting countries, parties should not
overlook the role of business entities. Garnering support from the business sector could push
government in the right direction, or achieve faster results than diplomatic avenues.
Partnering with local communities is extremely important. It is vital that community-based
initiatives be carried out correctly. Improper training can result in the community becoming
even more committed to hiding their cyanide use. Licensing is a potential avenue for communitybased
cyanide-free fi shing efforts. In the Philippines, parties are re-defi ning things by province
and talking to community leaders (mayors) for input on how to regulate live fi sh trade in terms
of licensing.
Partnering with both local and international NGOs can provide transparency and aid in
enforcement, education, and communication from the provincial level up through the national
and international levels.
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