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More endangered species to go on protection list
Tuesday, November 18, 2014

More endangered species will be put on the control list under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap 586) when the amendments to schedule 1 comes into force on November 28, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (November 18).

Newly listed species include hammerhead sharks, the oceanic whitetip shark, the porbeagle shark, manta rays, some freshwater turtles and softshell turtles as well as some timbers of the Dalbergia species. Some of the currently regulated species will be transferred from Appendix II to Appendix I or from Appendix III to Appendix II. The details are in the Annex.

"The amendments will bring Hong Kong in line with the revisions to the list of controlled species in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora," the spokesman said.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, except with exemptions or otherwise specified, the import, export, re-export, introduction from the sea and possession of the controlled species, including their parts and derivatives, are subject to licensing controls. Relevant import and export controls will be implemented on the species concerned when the new control list comes into force.

The AFCD has notified the traders concerned about the legislative amendments through circular letters, and briefed the relevant stakeholders about the new controls through seminars and distribution of advisory leaflets.

The spokesman reminded traders in possession of the newly listed species which might be exported out of Hong Kong to register their existing stock with the department on or before November 27.

A grace period of three months will be provided for the possession for commercial purposes of live specimens of wild origin of the newly listed species that were acquired before the commencement of the legislative amendment. The grace period will end on February 27, 2015.

Any person found guilty of importing, exporting, re-exporting or possessing any endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million, imprisonment for two years and mandatory forfeiture of the specimens.

For the licensing requirements for the species listed on different appendices, please visit the website www.cites.hk. For enquiries, please call 1823.

Annex: Amendments to Appendices of the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, Cap. 586A

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