Press Releases
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More endangered species brought under control More endangered species will be put on the protection list under the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance from Tuesday (June 1). There will be tighter control of certain freshwater turtles, Whale Shark, Basking Shark, Seahorses and Bigleaf Mahogany, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said. Under the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance, except with exemptions, the import, export and possession of the controlled species, including their parts and derivatives, are subject to licensing controls. "The control of the newly-listed species will bring Hong Kong in line with the latest revisions of the list of controlled species of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)," the spokesman said. He reminded keepers of live seahorses and certain freshwater turtles to apply for a possession licence. The grace period to apply for a possession licence for live seahorses and certain freshwater turtles will end on August 31, 2004. As Whale Shark; Basking Shark; Seahorses, excluding live animals; and Bigleaf Mahogany are considered less endangered, the possession or control of these species are exempted from the licensing requirements to facilitate legitimate trade without compromising Hong Kong's obligations under CITES. "Nevertheless, the import and export of these species will still require licences issued by the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation," the spokesman said. Any person found guilty of importing, exporting or possessing any endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $5,000,000, imprisonment for two years and mandatory forfeiture of the specimens. For enquiries, please call the Government hotline on 1823.
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