2012. Review of Significant Trade - Cites

Huso huso
Huso huso (Linnaeus, 1758): Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Hungary, Islamic
Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, Turkmenistan
Acipenseridae, Beluga, Great Sturgeon.
Selection for Review of Significant Trade
Huso huso was previously included in the CITES Review of Significant Trade 2001-2006
(actions summarised in SC54 Doc. 30.1). The species was discussed again at the 23 rd meeting
of the Animals Committee, when it was recommended that the Secretariat and the range
States provide a document at AC24, with detailed scientific information on which to base a
decision (AC23 Summary Record). A questionnaire was subsequently sent to the range
States of H. huso requesting a response by 31 October 2008. At AC24, H. huso was selected for
inclusion in the Review of Significant Trade process (AC24 Summary Record). At AC25, the
working group decided to retain Bulgaria, Georgia, Hungary, the Islamic Republic of Iran
(hereafter referred to as Iran), Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan in the
Review of Significant Trade. It was agreed to eliminate Azerbaijan subject to written
confirmation to the Secretariat of the zero quota being in place within three weeks (AC25
Summary Record).
A. Summary
Overview of Huso huso recommendations.
*Provisional categories of Least Concern were formed on the basis of prohibition of harvest
and no anticipated trade. The recommendations are based on the assumption that
prohibition will continue and be enforced for the foreseeable future. For all countries under
review, it is envisaged that trade would be permitted only in the event that substantial new
information on the status of species was available; in the absence of such information, any
trade would be considered to be Urgent Concern.
Range State
Azerbaijan
Provisional Summary
category
Least Populations have declined considerably due to overfishing. Moderate
Concern* levels of international trade in wild-sourced caviar reported by
Azerbaijan 2000-2008, and by importers up to 2009. A moratorium on
commercial fishing was established in 2009, as confirmed by the CITES
MA of Azerbaijan and reflected in the trade data available. On the basis
of a prohibition of harvest and no anticipated international trade, the
requirements of Article IV are not applicable, and therefore categorised
as Least Concern. However, it is envisaged that trade in wild specimens
would resume only in the event that substantial new information on the
status of species was available; in the absence of such information, any
trade would be considered Urgent Concern.
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