The US government is currently considering listing nautilus on CITES. Data and expert opinions are being solicited. If you can provide information, please send it to:
Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Mail: Division of Scientific Authority, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 110,
Arlington, VA 22203
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: 703–358–2276
------------------------------------------------
CITES COP15: ANNOUNCEMENT OF SPECIES
PROPOSALS AND PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS,
DECISIONS, AND AGENDA ITEMS BEING CONSIDERED
BY THE UNITED STATES; OBSERVER INFORMATION
Mollusks
3. Nautilids (Allonautilus spp. and Nautilus spp.) –
Inclusion in Appendix II
HSUS and HSI recommended that the United States
propose the genus Nautilus and the genus Allonautilus
for inclusion in Appendix II because the species in these
genera are slow-growing and late-maturing, with a low
reproduction rate and low recovery potential, making
them susceptible to overharvest. These species are
native to western Pacific and Indo-Pacific coastal reefs,
including the U.S. territory, American Samoa. Population
declines have been reported in areas where intensive
fisheries exist or have existed. The species appear to be
unable to re-colonize localities from which they have
been extirpated and captive breeding has not produced
viable offspring beyond the hatchling stage.
The primary threats to the Nautilidae family are
commercial harvest and habitat loss or degradation
throughout its range. The species are internationally
traded as shell products, jewelry, unworked shell, trim,
and live specimens, for the curio and tourist markets,
and possibly for the aquarium and pet trade. More than
579,000 specimens were imported into the United States
between 2005 and 2008, reported mainly from the
Philippines, Indonesia, and China. Approximately 99
percent of these specimens are reported as wild-
harvested. As the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) continues to gather information from various
external experts and agency staff, a preliminary analysis
suggests that endemic species such as N. belauensis, N.
stenomphalus, N. macromphalus, and N. repertus may
be subject to overfishing and may warrant inclusion in
Appendix II. Allonautilus are increasingly found for sale
in Indonesia. Allonautilus (which is sympatric with N.
pompilius in Papua New Guinea) is extremely rare and
may warrant protection. More common species might be
sustainably utilized if regulated locally.
CITES could provide regulation of international trade,
complementing national and local management. The
United States is undecided about whether to propose
these species for inclusion in Appendix II, pending
consultations with range countries, and we seek
additional information about the species’ biological and
trade status to assist in our decision making.
For more info, go to:
http://www.fws.gov/international/newspubs/fedregnot_list.html
For concerns about nautilus, see:
What We Don't Know About Nautilus - The Cephalopod Page
The Perils of the Pearly Nautilus - The Cephalopod Page
--
James B. Wood Ph.D.
Director of Education
Aquarium of the Pacific
Long Beach, California
Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Mail: Division of Scientific Authority, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 110,
Arlington, VA 22203
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: 703–358–2276
------------------------------------------------
CITES COP15: ANNOUNCEMENT OF SPECIES
PROPOSALS AND PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS,
DECISIONS, AND AGENDA ITEMS BEING CONSIDERED
BY THE UNITED STATES; OBSERVER INFORMATION
Mollusks
3. Nautilids (Allonautilus spp. and Nautilus spp.) –
Inclusion in Appendix II
HSUS and HSI recommended that the United States
propose the genus Nautilus and the genus Allonautilus
for inclusion in Appendix II because the species in these
genera are slow-growing and late-maturing, with a low
reproduction rate and low recovery potential, making
them susceptible to overharvest. These species are
native to western Pacific and Indo-Pacific coastal reefs,
including the U.S. territory, American Samoa. Population
declines have been reported in areas where intensive
fisheries exist or have existed. The species appear to be
unable to re-colonize localities from which they have
been extirpated and captive breeding has not produced
viable offspring beyond the hatchling stage.
The primary threats to the Nautilidae family are
commercial harvest and habitat loss or degradation
throughout its range. The species are internationally
traded as shell products, jewelry, unworked shell, trim,
and live specimens, for the curio and tourist markets,
and possibly for the aquarium and pet trade. More than
579,000 specimens were imported into the United States
between 2005 and 2008, reported mainly from the
Philippines, Indonesia, and China. Approximately 99
percent of these specimens are reported as wild-
harvested. As the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) continues to gather information from various
external experts and agency staff, a preliminary analysis
suggests that endemic species such as N. belauensis, N.
stenomphalus, N. macromphalus, and N. repertus may
be subject to overfishing and may warrant inclusion in
Appendix II. Allonautilus are increasingly found for sale
in Indonesia. Allonautilus (which is sympatric with N.
pompilius in Papua New Guinea) is extremely rare and
may warrant protection. More common species might be
sustainably utilized if regulated locally.
CITES could provide regulation of international trade,
complementing national and local management. The
United States is undecided about whether to propose
these species for inclusion in Appendix II, pending
consultations with range countries, and we seek
additional information about the species’ biological and
trade status to assist in our decision making.
For more info, go to:
http://www.fws.gov/international/newspubs/fedregnot_list.html
For concerns about nautilus, see:
What We Don't Know About Nautilus - The Cephalopod Page
The Perils of the Pearly Nautilus - The Cephalopod Page
--
James B. Wood Ph.D.
Director of Education
Aquarium of the Pacific
Long Beach, California
