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Proceedings of the International Cyanide Detection Testing Workshop

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Goal 2: Identify steps, agreements, and/or partnerships that could be established between<br />

exporting governments, <strong>the</strong> U.S. government, NGOs, certifi cation agencies, community<br />

groups, and academic scientists to implement cyanide testing.<br />

Funding<br />

Suffi cient funding continues to be a serious concern across <strong>the</strong> board. Addressing existing<br />

obstacles and implementing new plans must have fi nancial backing to move forward. One<br />

approach to enhance funding focuses on improved education and awareness about <strong>the</strong> issue<br />

and <strong>the</strong> factors limiting <strong>the</strong> ability <strong>of</strong> USFWS to effectively prevent imports <strong>of</strong> cyanide-caught<br />

fi sh. One recommended method involves <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> high-pr<strong>of</strong>i le celebrities as spokespeople,<br />

which is likely to raise public concern and ultimately push politicians to alter and enforce<br />

policies on <strong>the</strong> aquarium trade. With political power behind <strong>the</strong>m, trade programs could<br />

receive targeted funding through congressional earmarks and increased support from large<br />

donors and NGOs.<br />

Harmonization<br />

The participants emphasized <strong>the</strong> need for harmonization <strong>of</strong> standards between importers and<br />

exporters to eliminate policy gaps and potentially tighten enforcement. Import countries should<br />

create clear requirements for shipments, make <strong>the</strong> policies available to exporting countries so<br />

<strong>the</strong>y can comply, and make <strong>the</strong>m understandable. Information on quarantine requirements,<br />

clear documentation requirements, and <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> a unifi ed labeling and packaging system<br />

are all ways to reduce discrepancies.<br />

Government linkages: exporting countries and importing countries<br />

Exporting parties should improve coordination and communication with importing countries.<br />

Representatives from Vietnam, Indonesia, and <strong>the</strong> Philippines indicated that data on exporters<br />

could be provided (including <strong>the</strong> numbers <strong>of</strong> legitimate exporters), which ones still use cyanide,<br />

where fi sh are caught, and so forth. Sharing such information could help identify legal and<br />

illegal shipments for importing countries. United States enforcement staff would benefi t from<br />

knowing which companies repeatedly test cyanide-free, as well as those companies that tend<br />

to use cyanide. Some degree <strong>of</strong> coordination must occur between export and import nations<br />

for a truly successful testing system.<br />

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