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The Price of Fish and Chips

The price of fish & chips: The shark slayers and an unfolding disaster for the love of fried fish

An alien civilisation coming across our solar system would name our planet Ocean, for most of Earth is under water. Being air-breathing and living on the bits that stick out, we mostly regard the vast liquid blue that surrounds us as a beautiful but often scary “other”. Billions of us, however, rely on it for food. This is part two of a series about the relationship between the creatures below the sea’s surface and the people in boats who catch them. Read Part One

Through a friend in 2011, Oliver Godfrey met Gary McFarlane, the then Port Elizabeth-based skipper of a demersal shark long-line boat called White Rose. When one of the crew was fired, he was offered a job. As a young photographer interested in wildlife, the chance to do some trips with him was appealing, so Oliver joined up on nine week-long trips. The next two months of shark catching would traumatise him for the rest of his life.

“Gary called himself Shark Slayer and he was that for sure,” Oliver told me after years of remaining silent about his experience. “They were fishing between PE and De Hoop further west. Every trip – and I did nine or 10 – they were (tonnes) of sharks. Smooth-hounds, soupfin sharks, disallowed species such as ragged-tooth sharks, hundreds of spotted gully sharks and hammerheads, including hundreds of pregnant sharks.

“Three great whites got entangled in the long-lines and killed while I was on board. The guys were indiscriminate. Hundreds of seabirds were hooked and killed – gannets, cormorants, albatrosses. There was big bycatch that was discarded dead. They were fishing next to – and I’m sure in – Marine Protected Areas [MPAs].

“I hung on longer than I should have to document what was going on, but I can tell you I ended up so broken by the massive carnage, the cruelty. Traumatised, depressed.

“I needed help to get the story out, but nobody would help. I was advised to drop it. I had all these photographs. They knew that and I got frightened. Then I had three break-ins in two months. My hard drive with the pictures was stolen.

“For years now I just left the story lying there. But it needs to be told because the killing hasn’t stopped; the great whites are almost gone. And some of the images were saved to the cloud as proof of my story. So now I’m telling you.”

That was how this story began. Could Oliver’s story be corroborated? The ocean is large, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) does not place observers on these boats; there are no snoopy members of the public out there in the empty sea; crews are dependent on skippers for jobs so won’t talk. You can pretty much do as you please ... which is why information from an “insider” like Oliver is rare and valuable.

Great whites

There are around 535 species of sharks in the world, one in three listed as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered. My checking began with the apex predator poster-fish: great whites.

Despite being protected in South Africa, they’re missing in action, collapsing a billion-rand cage-diving tourist industry. Why? Four reasons have been suggested by a range of sources:

  • Orcas;
  • A shift in distribution;
  • They’ve been killed by the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board’s nets and baited drum lines; and
  • The destruction of their food source (and themselves) by demersal long-line fishing boats.

Let’s begin with the orcas. When the shark cage-diving industry in Gansbaai crashed for want of viewing great whites in 2017–2018, two orcas, Port and Starboard, were blamed. Five white sharks, their livers bitten out in a way typical of orca predation, washed up in Gansbaai. Culprits found and convicted.

But then a study by University of Exeter scientist Robin Fisher noted that white sharks had started declining in Gansbaai in 2013, before the arrival of the two orcas, which had simply added to the problem. It was more likely, he said, that the orcas, which before had not predated on white sharks, were doing so because of the overfishing of pelagic fish stocks.

So orcas may have moved inshore where they started preying on white sharks. However, the decline of white sharks in False Bay, starting in the early 2010s, actually matches the increase in effort by demersal shark long-line boats. As smaller sharks are also the whites’ main prey, this and not orcas, said Fisher, was likely to have precipitated their population to crash.

A later study (discussed below) would confirm that whites began declining in Gansbaai and False Bay before the orcas arrived.

So could the problem be over-fishing? Sharks are caught in massive numbers worldwide – one study put the number at anything between 63 and 723 million hooked a year. A study by TRAFFIC on trade dynamics put South Africa’s export of shark meat between 2012 and 2022 at 14,000 tonnes. 

Great whites, being apex predators, are relatively few in number – a study done by Alison Towner in 2013 estimated there were around 900 white sharks left in South Africa, while Dr Sara Andreotti of Stellenbosch University put that number in 2016 between 353 and 522. By fish standards that’s not many. 

Main prey

They’re very general hunters but have a selective preference for other sharks. A study of the stomach contents of 591 whites confirmed their main prey was smaller sharks such as bronze whalers, smooth-hounds and soupfin sharks, which were being targeted by long-line boats based in Gqeberha. They belong to three companies, Fisherman Fresh owned by Sharmilla van Heerden, Letap Fishing owned by Imraan Patel and Unathi Wena, whose MD is Tasneem Hajee. All are no strangers to controversy. Calls to all three were not returned and a list of questions to Van Heerden were not answered.

Unathi Wena and its boat White Rose are currently involved in a court case in Bredasdorp Magistrates’ Court charged with fishing in a MPA. In 2014 Fisherman Fresh, was charged with illegally exporting 95 tonnes of shark and octopus to Australia, the sharks to be used in sales of fish and chips. Van Heerden was eventually acquitted.

For many years members of the public have reported seeing the Gqeberha long-liners prowling around MPAs (and occasionally in them), pulling out thousands of sharks. Every now and then a reminder comes ashore. In 2018, shark heads began washing up on the beach at Kanon Rocks and the boats White Rose and Mary Ann appear to have been the source. In 2020 a pile of headless, gutted sharks past their sell date were found dumped on Strandfontein beach in False Bay.

In May 2019 the White Rose was caught allegedly fishing illegally in the De Hoop MPA. In the same month a second vessel, the tuna long-liner Prins Willem 1 was also arrested when it docked in Port Elizabeth. It had allegedly been illegally fishing in the Amathole MPA off East London. In both cases, a total security of R400,000 was paid and the catches were released.

According to Chris Fallows of Apex Shark Expeditions, who has worked with great whites in South Africa for more than 30 years, “in the late 1990s DFFE gave out demersal shark long-line permits and fishing for sharks in [False] Bay rapidly increased. By the mid to late 2000s we noticed a slow decline of white shark sightings at Seal Island, nothing drastic but an overall down trend.

“Suddenly, around 2010, three boats started fishing the resource hard. They learnt how, where and when to target the smooth-hound, soupfin, bronze-whalers and hammerhead sharks. Their technique was highly focused and localised to sites where these species gather. They deny catching hammerheads because they’re protected, but they do and we have evidence. Oliver got pictures.

“Their catches soared and our sightings of white shark in False Bay went through the floor. In a nutshell, there are no longer enough smooth-hounds and soupfins left in False Bay to sustain the white sharks for the eight months of the year they’re not at Seal Island.

“Add to this the octopus fishery – which started in earnest around the same time targeting the key food source of smaller sharks – and you have a double whammy.”

Department of Fisheries scientists knew these sharks were racing towards crisis point. They openly acknowledged that even if all fishing for these species stopped, the soupfin shark stock could not be sustainably fished even by 2070.

A report issued by Fisheries in 2021 said that “at current catch, the soupfin shark is likely to be commercially extinct in 20 years. Fishing pressure is also already too high on the smooth-hound shark. Given that a maximum of four vessels have been active and fishing at any point in time, the state of the soupfin and smooth-hound shark stock cannot sustain an increase in effort”.

The report added another concern: “There is a health concern related to sharks being consumed. Sharks over a certain size (12kg ~ 130cm total length) are not safe to consume due to high levels of accumulated methylmercury and arsenic (among others). For some species (predatory sharks like mako sharks and sevengills) it is likely that no sizes are safe to consume at all.”

While the department introduced slot limits (not to catch younger or more mature animals), their own research told them this alone would not be enough. For instance, in 2010 the department reported annual catches just by demersal long-liners of soupfin at 106 tonnes and smooth-hound at 110 tonnes.

To be sustainable, the maximum upper limit for smooth-hound sharks was calculated at 75 tonnes annually from 2016 onwards; yet in 2019, the minister reported in Parliament estimated catch levels between 2016 and 2019 at one-and-a-half to three times higher than that by demersal long-liners alone.

Limiting tonnage a no-go

Because limiting tonnage would make the industry less profitable, it hasn’t been implemented. According to DFFE scientists who spoke to me off the record, this is presently totally unsustainable. The 2023 Parliamentary debate on fisheries can be accessed here.

Here’s the thing: even though smooth-hound sharks are considered by the DFFE’s own stock assessment as endangered and soupfin as critically endangered, they are still kept on the target species list of the official permit for demersal shark long-liners with no maximum catch limit. However, growing concern may be reflected in that by October 2023 only one demersal shark long-line licence had been allocated.

Of course, those sharks are also caught as bycatch in other fisheries and by surf anglers and the final catch weight or composition is anybody’s guess.

But who’s watching? There are no fisheries observers on those shark boats, catches are only occasionally checked and the DFFE mostly relies on the commercial logbooks entered by the same boats to track catches.

According to Oliver, “when a catch was being offloaded at the port, there’s not a chance that every single specimen was inspected. It’s bullshit for DFFE to try to claim that. I don’t think the inspectors really knew what was on the catch list or off it. They just processed the paperwork, took the skipper’s word for it, and off the catch went to Australia.”

Deadly nets

The great white problem may not be just about long-line fishing catching their prey. A parallel threat is along the beaches of KwaZulu-Natal – baited drum lines and shark nets, which do not only separate sharks from people, but are also devices aimed at killing sharks.

Despite being protected in South Africa, an average of around 28 white sharks have been killed by the Sharks Board alone every year since 1991.

According to Fallows: “On top of that source of mortality, when shark scientist Charlene da Silva of the Fisheries department did a test near Gqeberha with three demersal long-line sets they caught two great whites and killed one.”

“Let's do the maths,” renowned shark biologist Enrico Gennari tells me, sitting on the edge of his chair in agitation. “By the DFFE’s own numbers, three whites caught over three days means that in nine weeks (the time Oliver was on the White Rose) shark long-liners would have caught and killed more white sharks than what Oliver reported. So Oliver’s numbers are realistic. If we extrapolate what he saw to the average demersal shark long-line fleet of the last 10 or so years, it would equate to an average of 50 to 60 white sharks killed every single year”.

“When you add this to what the KZN Sharks Board kills, you have nearly 100 whites a year being taken out of an estimated population of at most 1,000, or maybe even half of that.

“Great whites reproduce very slowly, only a few pups a year. At best, a 10% annual loss on a population of 1,000 is unsustainable. And that’s likely why we start to see a decline year on year since the early 2013, after the increase in effort by the demersal shark long-line fishery.

“Of course the orcas added to the problem,” says Fallows, “but elsewhere, when orcas kill white sharks, they move away but come back. They don’t disappear. Here they have. It’s because their population is crashing”

Maybe they migrated

A 2023 research paper in Ecological Indicators led by Dr Matt Dickens of the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board and a group of other scientists favours the redistribution theory. The paper, using what Gennari describes as simplistic inferences, claims the orcas chased great whites up the coast, but that their population is “pretty stable”.

“Their population status appears largely unchanged,” they write, “despite the substantial reduction in occurrence in False Bay and Gansbaai in the last five years. For the status of white sharks in South Africa to remain unchanged, the population must have redistributed along the South African coastline.”

Gennari disagrees. “White sharks are down in False Bay, Gansbaai, Mossel Bay. Maybe there are three to 10 in Plettenberg Bay and a shark cage-diving operator in Gqeberha tells me he just saw his first white shark this year in August. If all the sharks migrated up the coast, you should have had a big uptick on the KZN drum lines, but you haven’t seen that.”

That paper’s message suggesting the white population is stable with no reason for concern and echoed by the media, says Gennari, “is very dangerous and could sink the conservation of white sharks in South Africa forever”.

What now?

So where does that leave sharks in South Africa? The news is not good. “Fisheries are allowing the commercial fishing of endangered and critically endangered species,” says Fallows. “It’s unheard of. It’s like allowing gin trapping of wild dogs in the Kruger National Park.

“Our so-called ‘best managed fishery in the world’ – as DFFE claims – has ‘managed’ two species from vulnerable to endangered and from endangered to critically endangered. We’ve also lost our white sharks; we’ve lost our hammerheads.

“If this is the best fishery in the world, then the yardstick by which we measure these things is not merely low, it's subterranean. That’s really where we are. It’s disheartening.”

Back to Oliver Godfrey, the traumatised photographer on the White Rose. It’s likely what he was witnessing in 2011 was the beginning of the end of great whites on South Africa’s southern shores through direct white shark mortality and the demolition of their food source by four long-liners. If his story had been heard earlier, something might, just might, have been done to stop the decline. But it wasn’t.

“I come from a diving background. I absolutely love the ocean,” he tells me. “What I saw was totally, totally ruthless. I felt it was my responsibility to record this experience. At the time I was handing out information to people, but they just didn’t give a shit. 

“There was no limit on the numbers caught or species size. They didn’t take the hooks out of bycatch they didn’t want, they just bashed the fish on the side of the boat or simply cut their head off to not waste time taking out hooks. The damage caused by shark long-lining is insane. It is absolutely fucking insane.”

It is clear that urgent action is needed. This includes the permanent withdrawal of the demersal shark long-line fishing permits and a switch by the Sharks Board to more modern and sustainable ways to protect bathers in KZN.

Meanwhile, the shark cage-diving industry is in freefall with no end in sight and the little fishing communities that it supported are hurting.

It is not just about white sharks, says Fallows. “They’re a poster species for all others of the ocean. If we can’t protect such an important creature so vital to South Africa’s tourism, then the rest of our seas are in deep trouble.” DM

This article first appeared on Daily Maverick and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.


  1 year ago
OBITUARY : SAMANTHA DIXON

We regret to announce the passing of our beloved animal advocate and wildlife warrior extraordinaire, Samantha (Sam) Dixon on the 4th of March 2023 in Brisbane Australia after a short illness.


Sam attended the Presbyterian Ladies' College in Sydney and she graduated from Charles Sturt University but her greatest love and passion was always Africa and its wildlife.

She was a staunch anti-trophy hunting campaigner and worked tirelessly to ban trophy hunting. The message that she conveyed was that trophy hunting is done for greed, ego and the thrill of it.

Sam was also an advocate against poaching, trapping and the abuse of animals that should be free.

She was a brave and wonderful advocate for animals, with the heart of a lioness. Her disability never stopped her from fighting for the animals. She left an incredible mark and will be dearly missed and always remembered.

She loved her two constant fur baby companions, the late Winston and June bug with all her heart.  

A true animal angel is gone. One of the bravest wildlife warriors to ever grace the battlefield.

Rest in eternal peace.

  2 years ago
Worst Kept Secret: Global Wealth Fuels Wildlife Trade

https://www.cpr.org/2015/01/28/tiger-skins-and-rhino-horns-can-a-trade-deal-halt-the-trafficking/

Within its 16,000-square-foot (1,486 square meters) confines are 1.5 million specimens, mostly products made from some of the world’s most critically endangered mammals and reptiles. Are you rubbing your eyes? Are you thinking that you must have read that wrong or are you accusing me of a typo? It is this work by the U.S Fish and Wildlife that scares the HELL out of Safari Club International and this is why SCI does corrupt things and they are trying to work around such. Trophy Hunting exotics and endangered species is one way they obtain billions of dollars. This is why they are good at paying people at the border to turn a blind eye. I will make note that not all members of the SCI are bad as many are caught up in their lies and conspiracy theories. It is my goal to go after the head honchos of the organization. To bring light onto the organization.

  • Demand for Exotic Goods: As global wealth increases, there is a growing demand for exotic and rare goods, including wildlife products such as ivory, rhino horns, tiger bones, pangolin scales, and exotic pets. These items are often considered status symbols, luxury goods, or are used in traditional medicine practices. 
  • Lucrative Market: The illegal wildlife trade has become a highly profitable and organized criminal enterprise. With increased wealth in certain regions, the ability and willingness to pay high prices for these illicit products also rise. This attracts criminals who exploit wildlife resources to meet the demand and profit from it. 
  • Weak Legal Systems: In many countries, especially those with emerging economies, weak legal and enforcement systems can create an environment where wildlife trafficking can thrive. Corrupt officials and lack of resources to combat the illegal trade make it easier for wildlife smugglers to operate. 
  • International Demand: Globalization and the ease of transportation have enabled the wildlife trade to become an international problem. The demand for exotic pets, luxury items, and traditional medicines extends beyond the borders of countries with significant wealth and reaches various regions worldwide. (Have you seen a cute tik tok video with a monkey as a pet?- that person who purchased that monkey is clueless on the crime that was committed for them to have such a pet and how many died just for that one to become a pet)
  • Poaching and Habitat Destruction: The increase in global wealth can also contribute indirectly to wildlife trade through habitat destruction. As economies grow, there is often a greater need for resources like timber, minerals, and agricultural land, leading to deforestation and destruction of natural habitats. This loss of habitat can push species towards extinction, making them more valuable in the illegal wildlife market. 
  • Tourism: Global wealth has also fueled an increase in international tourism. Tourists, often coming from affluent countries, may unknowingly or knowingly contribute to the demand for wildlife products while visiting exotic destinations. They may purchase souvenirs made from endangered species or engage in activities that involve exploiting wildlife. 
  • Lack of Awareness: While global wealth has led to increased education and awareness about environmental issues, there are still many individuals who remain unaware of the consequences of wildlife trafficking. Lack of awareness can perpetuate the demand for wildlife products and drive the trade further. 

 

While the United States is not considered a major source of illegal wildlife products, it is one of the world's largest consumers of wildlife products, including exotic pets, ivory, and other wildlife goods. Here's how the USA ranks with wildlife crime and corruption: 

  • Consumer Demand: The USA's high level of wealth and consumer demand for wildlife products, especially exotic pets, have contributed to the global wildlife trade. Illegal wildlife products are often smuggled into the country to meet this demand. 
  • Wildlife Trafficking Hubs: Due to its extensive transportation network and large seaports and airports, the USA serves as a transit country for wildlife products moving between different regions. Criminal networks exploit the country's transportation infrastructure to smuggle wildlife products into and out of the country. 
  • Enforcement Efforts: The United States has taken a few steps to combat wildlife trafficking and enforce laws related to the trade. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and other agencies work to intercept illegal shipments, prosecute offenders, and raise awareness about wildlife crime. They can do a hell of a lot better, but it does take funding and support. They do not receive the support they need.
  • Legislation and Regulations: The USA has enacted various laws and regulations to protect wildlife, including the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Lacey Act. The ESA provides protection for threatened and endangered species and their habitats, while the Lacey Act prohibits the trade of illegally obtained wildlife, fish, and plants.  

There are gaps and relaxed laws along with things not being enforced – just because there is an “act” doesn’t mean it is being utilized to its fullest – It can portray how criminals exploit gaps in the law. The Republican party also contributes to wildlife crime because they have little to no desire to protect wildlife, hell many people in this party do not believe in Climate change. That alone speaks volumes. I am not saying all Republicans but as a party in whole they have proven this with legislation.  

  • Corruption: Like any country, the USA is not immune to corruption, which can undermine efforts to combat wildlife trafficking. Corruption may involve officials turning a blind eye to illegal wildlife shipments or actively facilitating the trade. This is a huge problem in the USA and this is why we are at the top of contributing to the severity of the crime. USA is a country that can put money and power before right and wrong and over decency! We allow old white powerful men to run this country along with the NRA and SCI . 
  • Collaboration with Other Countries: The USA collaborates with other countries and international organizations to address wildlife trafficking on a global scale. It supports efforts to strengthen law enforcement, promote sustainable trade, and reduce consumer demand for illegal wildlife products. The USA has the power to combat wildlife crime and corruption, but we currently choose to do very little.  

Here is another article :

https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/05/t-magazine/animal-trafficking-black-market.html

The trade in illegal wildlife is a $19 billion annual business with ties to the Russian mob and Islamic extremists, and there’s one place the world turns to investigate the crime: a federal forensics lab (and curiosity cabinet) in a hippie town in Oregon. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Forensics Service Laboratory in the United States. It is located in Ashland, Oregon, and is operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This laboratory serves as the only federal crime laboratory dedicated to investigating wildlife-related violations of U.S. laws.

Sad not only do we have the 16,000 Sq Ft building filled with over million species/trophies, we also have this building filled as well!

 We need and must provide more funding to such organizations that fight wildlife crime!

We even have conservationists, law enforcement, NGO’s, The US Fish and Wildlife (some divisions and/or individuals) who receive payouts, financial support. What should you do before supporting such NGO’s etc... If you find such organizations or individuals receiving money from the Safari Club International, NRA etc then you need to question this and do research before supporting such causes that seems to be legit when really, they are a smoke screen. They are puppets and are being controlled, being watched which all in return helps the bad people’s cause. These people do a WONDERFUL job of keeping their enemies close. So, I do agree some people are naïve and do not understand why they are receiving financial support. I once brought it to the attention of a Texas wildlife activist, filmmaker who was receiving financial support from an organization called Wildlife Partners, LLC who lie to people about their cause, and how it is about preserving and saving wildlife and how they support conservation. It is all a smoke screen. Their cause is making billions of dollars in profit from enclosed trophy hunting (ranches), so people do not have to travel to Africa to go trophy hunting. ALL about being powerful and 110% about being filthy rich. You can find their financials online. I encourage people to do their part and investigate yourself. Right now, all you can say to me is it is my “opinion”.   Correct it is my opinion based on my research.

 SOOO do your research- do your part.

We must spread awareness and have stricter laws because this is a global security risk and not to mention a public health risk.

At airports, seaports, and land border crossings in 2019, $4.3 billion of legal wildlife and wildlife products was imported into the U.S. Approximately 200 million live animals are imported to the U.S. annually, according to a five-year trade report: 175 million fish for the aquarium trade, and 25 million animals comprised of an array of mammals, amphibians, birds, insects, reptiles, spiders, and more. On top of that, thousands of illegally traded shipments of wildlife are intercepted each year. In 2019 alone, the agency opened more than 10,000 illegal wildlife trade investigations. Here is the kicker: Are you ready for this!

With few exceptions, the U.S. has no laws specifically requiring disease surveillance for wildlife entering the country, and the vast majority of wild animal imports are therefore not tested- Reread those numbers above and can you honestly say to me that you are okay with this? You feel safe?

It does not take an idiot to realize with these numbers that one organization like US Fish and Wildlife can handle these numbers - the start to solving this issue is to give them more funding and entice the younger generation to go into this line of work!

We are also destroying our ecosystem, which destroys the future of upcoming generations, and most people are just sitting back believing these people’s lies and allowing them to become multi-billionaires on our behalf. Are you going to allow this shit to happen? That is my question for the week.  

One person can make a difference just look and learn from Ofir Drori. Therefore, it is in each and everyone of us - one person doing a little can bring upon big change.

  1 year ago
LEPTAILURUS SERVAL

The serval is a small and less frequently seen member of the cat family. Solitary and shy, they are mainly nocturnal hunters, though they may sometimes be spotted in the early morning or late afternoon.

They prey upon birds, snakes, lizards, frogs, insects, cane rats, hares and on occasions, duikers and dik-diks. In turn,several are preyed upon by larger carnivores such as hyenas and leopards. Both male and female servals defend territories up to 13 square kilometers in size. They Also called Killer ears. This serval will sit patiently in the grass, rotating its head back and forth, scanning the savannah for prey. Not with its eyes, but with its ears. These remarkable ears are the largest of any cat – acting like radars to detect the slightest movement in its surroundings. Servals are striking cats. They are leggy, with the longest legs of any cat relative to their body size. They pounce upon their prey with a spectacularly high spring, jumping up to 3 metres/ 10 feet in the air. With its long legs, short tail, elongated neck and large ears the serval is sometimes (rather unfairly) called the “cat of spare parts.” It may look ungainly, but this slender cat is one of the most successful hunters of all wild cats. Over 50% of their hunts end in a kill, which is about 20% better than lions hunting in a pride. They eat rodents, birds, snakes, frogs. They are not picky eaters, though unlike many cats they rarely scavenge. Probably because they don’t need to. Unsurprisingly sightings of these shy cats are rare, they will certainly hear you coming!www.interiorsafarisea.com @Godfreytheguide

  2 years ago
The Dark Reality: How The United States Is Enabling Wildlife Crime

The Dark Reality: How The United States Is Enabling Wildlife Crime


The United States has long been a key player in the global illicit wildlife trade, with American consumers being some of the biggest buyers of illegal wildlife products in the world. Many of these products are sourced from countries where wildlife crime is rampant and where environmental protections are weak or nonexistent.
In recent years, the United States has been working to crack down on the importation of illegal wildlife products. However, it has been slow to enact legislation that would effectively address the demand side of the equation. Until the United States takes action to reduce demand, it will continue to enable wildlife crime.

Many people may not realize that the United States is one of the largest demand markets for ivory and other illegal wildlife products. A recent study found that 80 percent of Americans consider themselves animal lovers and support wildlife conservation measures. At the same time, however, it found 80 percent of Americans aren’t aware of the illegal wildlife trade in their own country.


The United States is contributing to the decline of endangered species



The United States is contributing to the decline of endangered species in many ways. Here are four key ways the United States is doing this:

1. Laws and Regulations – The United States does not have any federal laws banning the sale of illegal wildlife products. This lack of legislation has resulted in the flourishing of the illegal wildlife trade in the United States.

2. Demand – The United States has one of the most voracious appetites for illegal wildlife products, contributing to the demand side of the equation.

3. Port Security – Poor port security in the United States allows for illegal wildlife products to be smuggled in, as well as exported.

4 Private Companies – How are they Contributing to Wildlife Crime?

Private companies are playing a major role in the illegal wildlife trade. Here are a few ways that they are contributing:
1. Promotion of Wildlife Products – Private companies are profiting from the promotion of illegal wildlife products. This may include the sale of ivory, clothing made from skin of protected animals, or furs.

2. Money Laundering – Private companies are making money and hiding their profits in various ways. This includes tax evasion, the misuse of donor funds, bribery and other forms of corruption, and money laundering.

3. Poor Security – Private companies often lack proper security measures that can help to protect against the illegal wildlife trade. This can include not properly tracking shipments and shipments, or not following up on cases of suspected smuggling.

4. Lax Regulations – Private companies are operating in countries that often have weak or nonexistent laws concerning the illegal wildlife trade. This leaves them vulnerable to exploitation by criminals. This lack of regulation leads to increased profits for the criminals who are smuggling items such as ivory, rhino horn, and pangolin scales.

and lastly

Hunting – Hunting is legal in the United States and can be done without a license in some cases. While it is possible to legally hunt in the United States, many illegal sources of wildlife products are being generated through unethical hunting practices.
I would have to estimate that 90% of people are not aware of torturing/killing animals for no reason other than for fun and prizes, and it is legal in the United States. What organization do you think supports such activity? If you guessed the NRA then you guessed correctly. Prizes consist of guns, money, and Trophy Hunting trips.  

To learn about this dirty activity that is going on under your nose - watch this:

 


The United States is actively contributing to the decline of endangered species across the world. This is due to the fact that wildlife trafficking is often associated with transnational organized crime and international terrorist networks.


The US is actively contributing to the decline of endangered species across the world mainly due to the fact that wildlife trafficking is often associated with transnational organized crime and international terrorist networks. Wildlife trafficking has become a multi-billion dollar industry, and the US has had a hand in it.

The US has failed to address the legal aspects of wildlife trafficking for many years, which in turn has allowed for the growth of illicit wildlife trade to continue. This has opened the door for other countries to progress, as countries such as China, Vietnam, and Thailand have seen an increase in the illicit trade of various animal species.

In addition to this, the US government has done very little to promote education and better understanding of the atrocities that wildlife trafficking has in the world. This lack of education has lead to the US public being reliant on information derived from the media that is often biased, incomplete, or does not have a critical understanding of the underlying issues.

As a result, the US population is largely unaware of the dangers of wildlife trafficking, how it impacts biodiversity, and how US policies are enabling it to occur. It is imperative that the US government takes a more proactive approach to curbing wildlife trafficking and educating the population on the issue, as this will ensure that future generations do not have to bear the burden of the current decline in endangered species.

How the U.S. can Combat Wildlife Crime

The US government can take an active role in combating wildlife crime. There are a few steps that the government can take to ensure the protection and conservation of endangered species and the environment at large.

First, the US government should increase its resources and efforts to combat wildlife trafficking. This can be done by increasing the resources for agencies like the US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, and the US Department of Agriculture. The additional resources could be used to increase enforcement of wildlife protection laws, increase monitoring and regulation of US imports, and build partnerships with other countries to ensure that US imports are not involved in wildlife trafficking.

Second, the US can increase public awareness of wildlife trafficking and its impacts. This can be done through campaigns in schools, parks, and public media. The government can also incentivize partnerships with wildlife conservation organizations and research universities to educate the public on the issue.

Finally, the US should promote collaboration with other countries to ensure that wildlife trafficking is addressed globally. This would involve participating in and leading international efforts to combat the global wildlife trade.

By taking these steps, the US can combat wildlife crime, protect endangered species, and help ensure the health of the environment for future generations.


The wildlife traffickers are linked to the illegal pet trade, poaching of iconic species, and illegal logging. The United States government is aware of this and has taken steps to address the issue on a global scale.


The US government has taken a few steps to curb this illegal activity because of the devastating impact that it has on local wildlife populations and ecosystems.

First, they have increased resources to fund agencies like The US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Department of Agriculture. This ensures that these organizations have the resources they need to take action and implement tougher regulations but it does not seem to be working.

Second, they have increased public awareness of the issues surrounding wildlife crime and the impacts it has on endangered species and the environment. This can be done through education campaigns in schools, parks and public media which can help to create greater public understanding of the issue. Remember 80% of the people are still unaware so their attempts to educate are failing. We must do more and I ask you to subscribe to MojoStreaming to join our community of wildlife protectors

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Third, the US government has taken an active role in international collaboration, leading and participating in efforts to combat global wildlife trade. By working with countries around the world, the US is ensuring that this issue is taken seriously and is being addressed on a global scale.

BWE MUST:
Enforce Stricter Penalties for Wildlife Traffickers

The US government is taking steps to enact stricter penalties for wildlife trafficking; however, more needs to be done. Currently, the penalties for wildlife trafficking are not severe enough to discourage those involved in this activity from continuing to do so.

Heavier penalties are needed in order to create an effective deterrent and financial disincentive for these activities. By increasing the penalties and ensuring that they are enforced, the US will send a signal to those who have been engaging in these activities that they will pay a heavy price for their actions.

In addition to tougher penalties, it is important that those involved in wildlife trafficking be held accountable and that their activities be made public. This will create a stigma around the issue and will discourage others from involving themselves in illegal activities.

Finally, the US needs to strengthen its collaboration and international partnerships in order to fight wildlife crime on a global scale. By working with other governments and organizations, the US will not only be able to strengthen its efforts for tackling this issue but also gain valuable intelligence that can be used to prevent these activities from taking place.

By taking all these steps, the US will be able to create a stronger legal framework and raise awareness about the detrimental impacts of wildlife trafficking, ultimately creating a safer environment for endangered species and their habitats.

How Are U.S. Laws Contributing To Wildlife Crime?

The U.S. has several laws that contribute to the wildlife crime crisis. The U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA), originally passed in 1973 and amended in 1988, prohibits the trade of protected species, including their parts and products. However, the regulations in the ESA are often outdated and not comprehensive enough to prevent the trafficking of endangered and at-risk species.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) also plays a role in the illegal wildlife trade. It prohibits interactions between humans and marine mammals without a permit, such as capturing, selling, or buying dolphins or whales. The MMPA forbids the trading of marine mammals in the U.S., but it does not apply to the import of marine mammal products from other countries.

The Lacey Act, in force since 1901, is another law that is aimed at combating wildlife trafficking. It prohibits the import, export, and transport of protected wildlife species and requires businesses to accurately label their products. Unfortunately, this label must reference a government-approved system, which is sometimes very difficult to obtain.
Despite the myriad of regulations, criminals continue to exploit flaws in regulations in order to facilitate wildlife crime.
The U.S. needs to strengthen its current laws and create more stringent regulations in order to better protect endangered wildlife and their habitats.


There is no denying that the United States is a major player in the global wildlife trade and its role shouldn't be underestimated. According to a 2019 report from the World Wildlife Fund, the United States is one of the largest consumers of wildlife products globally, accounting for 10% of the global trade in live animals.

The United States is also a major supplier of illegal wildlife products. The United States is a major source of illegal ivory, as well as a major exporter of live animals, including parrots, reptiles, and primates. The U.S. is also a major importer of exotic pet species, such as tortoises and snakes.

On Nov. 2, 2022, Savannah Nicole Valdez, 20, from Katy, Texas, pleaded guilty to smuggling a spider monkey into the United States without first declaring and invoicing it and fleeing an immigration checkpoint. 

On July 12, 2022, Herdade Lokua, 34, and Jospin Mujangi, 32, of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), each plead guilty in federal court in Seattle, WA to conspiracy, and Lacey Act violations for trafficking elephant ivory and white rhinoceros horn from DRC to Seattle. 
Immediately after the arrests, the task force in DRC acted on information provided by HSI Seattle to make additional arrests and seize 2,067 pounds of ivory and 75 pounds of pangolin scales in Kinshasa. The DRC placed the value of the wildlife trafficking contraband at approximately $3.5 million.
On January 25, 2021, a federal judge sentenced a Dallas business owner to pay a $2,000 fine and to complete a 1-year term of probation. The owner pleaded guilty to violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).

You read correctly $2,000 fine and probation. If you look up records you will find people are fined a few thousand and may spend up to 3 years in jail for something that was earning them hundreds of thousands of dollars! Basically, a slap on the hand! We need strict laws for these criminals.

What you should take from this:

Wildlife crime is big business

Wildlife crime is a serious and growing global problem. Each year, millions of animals are illegally traded for their meat, skin, and body parts. This illicit trade is worth billions of dollars and it is having a devastating impact on wildlife populations around the world.
What many people don’t realize is that the United States is one of the largest markets for illegal wildlife products. In fact, the United States is the second-largest market for illegal ivory after China. Wildlife crime is a big business, and it is being enabled by the United States.


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By coming together and implementing a multi-pronged approach to combating wildlife crime, we can make a major impact in protecting wildlife around the world.


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