Bahrain continues to play an important role in protecting endangered species and contributing to efforts to curb illegal trade in wildlife.
This was highlighted during a workshop held yesterday in Bahrain organised by the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) in partnership with the Netherlands-based International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and with support from the Shark Conservation Fund (SCF).
The workshop that ends tomorrow is being held at Le Méridien City Centre Bahrain, as part of preparations for the 20th Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Conference of the Parties (CoP20), scheduled to take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan from November 24 to December 5.
SCE chief executive Amna Al Rumaihi inaugurated the workshop that is being attended by experts to discuss topics such as proposals to list new species under the CITES appendices, particularly sharks and rays, which face growing threats from unregulated trade in their fins, meat and oils.
Also present at the workshop was SCE deputy chief executive Shaikh Isa bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.
“The workshop reflects the kingdom’s commitment to supporting international efforts to protect endangered species and strengthen regional co-operation, particularly regarding marine species, including sharks and rays, which face increasing threats,” said Ms Al Rumaihi.
“Bahrain is an active partner in the CITES process and enhances the region’s standing in shaping relevant international decisions, expressing confidence that the workshop’s outcomes will contribute to developing constructive recommendations supporting biodiversity protection at both regional and global levels.”
IFAW’s Middle East and North Africa regional director Dr Akram Darwich said that the 20th Conference of the Parties will bring together governments from around the world, and that decisions on regulating wildlife trade will have a lasting impact on many species.
“This workshop provides an important opportunity for the region to discuss proposals and develop unified recommendations to strengthen the implementation of the convention at both regional and global levels,” said Dr Darwich.
Participants will also discuss ways to reduce demand for illegal wildlife products through interventions aimed at changing consumer behaviour and weakening illegal markets at their source.
IFAW in the Middle East and North Africa programmes director Dr Naegh Aswad said that “unregulated trade has contributed to a global decline in shark populations, with many species classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as endangered or critically endangered”.
He highlighted the urgent need for “stronger protective measures, fully regulated and sustainable trade, and trade bans where necessary”, noting that the workshop provided an opportunity to build on progress made at previous conferences and pave the way for stronger commitments.
CITES Conferences of the Parties serves as a unifying platform bringing together member states, alongside observers from international and non-governmental organisations working in wildlife protection and trade.
This year’s conference (CoP20) carries particular significance as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the convention’s entry into force and marks the 20th session where the parties collectively determine the future governance of wildlife trade.
It is one of the most important global platforms for shaping international policy on wildlife trade, with representatives from more than 180 countries participating.
Bahrain is home to the second largest population of dugongs in the world and the largest breeding colony of the Socotra cormorant worldwide.
In a first-ever operation in Bahrain in which SCE and IFAW were involved, three humpback dolphins were released in 2023 more than a year after being illegally captured for display at a public aquarium at a Bahrain tourist resort.
Indian Ocean humpback dolphins are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List and their numbers are decreasing.
The dolphins were released back into the ocean following a decision by Bahrain authorities to convict three fishermen for poaching the dolphins and selling them on to the resort specialising in shows featuring performing dolphins.
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