Wildlife crime continues to pose a significant threat to biodiversity, local and national economies, as well as national and international security.
Illegal wildlife trade not only endangers countless species, but also undermines the stability of ecosystems and jeopardizes the livelihoods of communities around the world. Recognizing the seriousness of this problem, ten leading organizations have joined forces to combat illegal wildlife trade by increasing awareness and vigilance across global supply chains.
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Maritime traffic, in particular, remains vulnerable to trafficking in illegal goods. With the enormous volume of seaborne trade, the demand for faster and more timely deliveries, and the increasing complexity of multimodal supply chains, criminals are increasingly exploiting vulnerabilities in global maritime supply chains to smuggle contraband.
To strengthen the fight against illegal wildlife trade, ten international organizations have joined forces in an initiative led by the World Shipping Council, with support from the United Nations Development Programme, the Global Environment Facility and the World Wildlife Programme, in collaboration with TRAFFIC and the World Wide Fund for Nature. It was co-sponsored by BIC, the World Shippers Forum, the International Fund for Animal Welfare and the TT Club. Together they have produced practical guidelines for all participants in the supply chain, with advice on measures to take, questions to ask to help identify criminal wildlife trade, and guidance on reporting suspicious activity. The accompanying “Red Flags” document serves as a daily reference for all individuals involved in the supply chain.
Combating illegal wildlife trade is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation across international container supply chains. All parties involved, especially consolidation companies and those receiving goods for packaging or transportation, must take proactive steps to prevent the shipment of illegal wildlife. This includes verifying the legitimacy of shipments, properly sealing shipments, conducting risk assessments, and immediately alerting national authorities of suspicious activities, as appropriate.
The Joint Industry Guidelines for Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade are designed to support and further enhance existing International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines by providing specific and actionable guidance to private sector stakeholders, and IMO has been kept informed throughout the development process. Common industry guidelines have been submitted to IMO for greater awareness and action.
Illegal wildlife trade is not only eliminating endangered species around the world, it is also fueling organized crime and threatening global security. The coalition’s joint efforts underscore the shared responsibility of all stakeholders in combating illegal wildlife trafficking. By combining their expertise and resources, these organizations demonstrate their commitment to protecting wildlife and promoting sustainable business practices.
“We recognize the critical role the maritime industry plays in combating illegal wildlife trafficking. By working together to raise awareness across the supply chain about how to spot and respond to this criminal activity, we can prevent the exploitation of illegal wildlife trades,” says John Butler, President and CEO of World Bank. Global maritime supply of criminal activities and protection of endangered species worldwide.” Shipping Council
“Wildlife crime often converges with transnational organized crime, such as drug trafficking and illicit arms. The Joint Industry Guidelines for Combating Illicit Wildlife Trafficking aim to support stakeholders to address wildlife trafficking through their regulatory processes,” says Dr Margaret Kinnaird, Head of Wildlife Practice at WWF, WWF is committed to continuing to strengthen strong public-private partnerships through collective initiatives like these, to disrupt the illegal trade and discourage wildlife traffickers who use the marine sector supply chain. For trafficking in illicit goods.
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“The illegal wildlife trade across our oceans is massive, overlooked, and often underreported. Given its scale and vulnerability, it is crucial that marine traffic be central to our collective efforts to mitigate the illegal wildlife trade. These guidelines are an essential first step in shining a light on this part of the supply chain, giving us the building blocks for a solution that positively impacts animals around the world,” said Azzedine Downs, President and CEO of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). “When we protect biodiversity, we protect ourselves, and today, we are one step closer to making that a reality.”
“It is estimated that between 72% and 90% of illegally traded wildlife, including live animals, animal products, plants and timber, are smuggled through the shipping industry, and the sector therefore has a responsibility to tackle transnational organized crime.” “By taking action with these resources, the sector will have far-reaching positive impacts on the conversation and growth of biodiversity while protecting the livelihoods of local communities,” said Philippa Dyson, Director of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning TRAFFIC.
