2012. Review of Significant Trade - Cites

Hippocampus kelloggi
Table 2. Direct exports of Hippocampus kelloggi from Thailand, 2004-2010 (with quantities rounded
to the nearest tenth of a kg, where applicable). All trade was in wild-sourced bodies. The species
was listed in Appendix II on 15/05/2004. (No trade data was reported in 2010).
Term Units Reported by 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Total
bodies kg Exporter 2375.2 3776.4 3497.8 3243.0 2998.3 2333.0 18223.6
Importer 729.4 1981.4 1948.7 2130.1 2082.1 1714.3 10586.0
- Exporter
Importer 270 270
Source: CITES Trade Database, UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK
Over 90 per cent of wild Hippocampus spp. in trade was reported to originate in Thailand
(Nijman, 2010). H. kelloggi was reported to be mainly used for traditional medicine in Thai
trade and was found to fetch much higher prices than other species (Perry et al., 2010).
Management: The export of live Hippocampus spp. caught in Thai waters was reported to be
prohibited since 1988 (Export and Import of Goods Act, B.E. 2522, 1979) (Y. Getpech, in litt.
to UNEP-WCMC, 2011), but illegal exports were thought to have continued (Perry et al.,
2010). The following list of Notifications under the Thai Fishery Law was provided by the
CITES MA of Thailand and was considered to be contributing to the management of
Hippocampus spp. (Y. Getpech, in litt. to UNEP-WCMC, 2011):
Notification B.E. 2515 Re: Determination of Areas in which Fishing Appliances, i.e., Trawls
and Push Nets used with Motor Vessels, are Prohibited
Notification B.E. 2522 Re: Prohibition of Trawls and Push Nets in Fishing in Phang Nga
Bay
Notification B.E. 2523 RE: Using of Trawls and Push Nets with Motor Vessels in Fishing
in Pang Nga Bay
Notification B.E. 2541 Re: Prohibition of Push Nets used with Motor Vessel in Fishing in
the Locality of Pattani Province
Notification B.E. 2542 Re: Determining the Area in which Certain Kinds of Fishing
Appliances are Prohibited in Fishing in Some Localities of Prachuab Kirikhan Province
Notification B.E. 2542 [sic]Re: Determining the Area in which Beam Trawls are prohibited
in Some Localities of Chonburi Province
Consequently, the use of trawl- and push-nets within three kilometres of the Thai coast is
prohibited (B.E.2515) as is the use of stationary gear within 400 m of the coastline (B.E.2515)
(CHARM, 2005). However illegal fishing was found to occur (Y. Getpech, in litt. to UNEP-
WCMC, 2011). Further measures include the establishment of conservation areas (e.g.
26 000 km 2 in the Gulf of Thailand and 1 800 km 2 in Phang Nga and Krabi) and protected
areas (presently 73 479 km 2 ) (Y. Getpech, in litt. to UNEP-WCMC, 2011) as well as
restrictions of fishing gear (B.E.2522, B.E. 2523, B.E. 2541 and B.E. 2542) (CHARM, 2005). The
CITES MA of Thailand (Y. Getpech, in litt. to UNEP-WCMC, 2011) confirmed that the
Fisheries Act B.E. 2490 (1985) prohibits the use of explosives, electricity and chemicals;
fishing during the hatching season; and fishing in seagrass and coral reef areas.
Further management measures in Thailand were reported to include research into
aquaculture aimed at a possible reduction of trade in wild specimens, release of specimens
to celebrate important events and research into Hippocampus spp. genetics
(Y. Getpech, in litt. to UNEP-WCMC, 2011). Research into the status of Hippocampus spp.
fisheries was reported to be under way (Y. Getpech, in litt. to UNEP-WCMC, 2011).
103