2012. Review of Significant Trade - Cites

Tridacna spp.
Table 5. Direct trade in Tridacna squamosa from the Solomon Islands, 2000-2010 (all reported by
importers). (No trade was reported in 2006, 2007 or 2010.)
Term Source 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2008 2009 Total
live W 140 552 343 417 422 438 2312
C 262 822 506 314 700 200 2804
F 200 325 1047 1572
shells W 100 1055 364 1519
C 15 15
Source: CITES Trade Database, UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK
Indirect trade in T. squamosa from the Solomon Islands over the period 2000-2010 consisted
of 402 live specimens as reported by importers (48 per cent wild-sourced) and 147 live
specimens as reported by re-exporters (41per cent wild-sourced), all reported for commercial
purposes. In addition, two wild-sourced specimens were reported imported for scientific
purposes. The United States and Fiji were the only re-exporters of T. squamosa originating in
the Solomon Islands. No re-exports have been reported since 2006.
Management: The trade and export of wild-sourced specimens was reported to be banned
in the Solomon Islands (Solomon Islands Consolidated Legislation, 1996), however the trade
and export of farmed specimens is permitted (Solomon Islands, 2009). It was noted that
subsistence harvesting was not regulated (Green et al., 2006), although traditional
management practices may exist in some areas (Kinch et al., 2006), and T. squamosa was
reported to be often kept in village-based clam gardens (Hviding, 1993).
In two large-scale trials in coastal villages of the Solomon Islands, T. squamosa was found to
have varying survival rates between seven and 83 per cent (Foyle et al., 1997). The
experiments, however, showed that the time required for growth to marketable specimens
for the aquarium trade was relatively low at 5-7 months, and village-based farming of the
species was considered economically feasible (Foyle et al., 1997).
T. squamosa was previously selected for the Review of Significant Trade at the 20 th meeting of
the Animals Committee in 2004 (AC20 Summary Record). Solomon Islands was reported to
be the only country not selected for the review that was exporting “significant quantities” of
the species, and the exports were considered to be “of concern” (IUCN, 2006e). It was also
noted that as the trade of wild-sourced specimens had been reported by importers, the
nature of all specimens in trade should be verified (IUCN, 2006e).
D. Problems identified that are not related to the implementation of Article IV,
paragraphs 2 (a), 3 or 6 (a)
The Solomon Islands became a Party to CITES in 2007 but have not yet submitted any
annual reports.
Some trade in Tridacna spp. has been reported in the family and genus level, making the
monitoring of trade in individual species difficult. Furthermore, the mixed reporting of units
(specimens and weight, kg) makes it difficult to estimate the total number of specimens in
international trade.
Importers reported moderate or significant quantities of trade in both wild-sourced and
captive-bred individuals. Without any evidence found to the contrary, it is questionable
whether the trade in captive-bred specimens met the controlled conditions as outlined in
Resolution Conference 10.16 (Rev.).
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