Carpenter, A.I.; Andreone, F. Malagasy Amphibian Wildlife Trade Revisited: Improving Management Knowledge of the Trade. Animals2023, 13, 2324.
Carpenter, A.I.; Andreone, F. Malagasy Amphibian Wildlife Trade Revisited: Improving Management Knowledge of the Trade. Animals 2023, 13, 2324.
Carpenter, A.I.; Andreone, F. Malagasy Amphibian Wildlife Trade Revisited: Improving Management Knowledge of the Trade. Animals2023, 13, 2324.
Carpenter, A.I.; Andreone, F. Malagasy Amphibian Wildlife Trade Revisited: Improving Management Knowledge of the Trade. Animals 2023, 13, 2324.
Abstract
Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot with a long history of trading in its wildlife, especially its hyper diverse Amphibian taxa. Due to globally raised concerns over the conservation for harvested amphibian species on Madagascar, CITES was introduced as a global mechanism to monitor and regulate the trade. Utilising data collated from the CITES Trade database, this study sought to investigate the trade and CITES effectiveness in managing the trade. Over the 28 year period investigated, 20 known amphibian species were exported from Madagascar with a total of nearly 271,000 individuals. Formal descriptions of Malagasy amphibian species has and continues to increase greatly over time, there has not been a concomitant, longitudinal relationship in the numbers of individuals traded. Overall, the numbers of individuals traded has declined over time but, where assessments were provided by the IUCN Redlist, population declines were reported in all but one species of Malagasy amphibian. Mantella (97.5%) continue to dominate the trade with certain, high conservation concern species continuing in the trade. Despite early concerns over the effectiveness of CITES actions, after concerted efforts it appears that CITES actions were having an impact in regulating the trade. However, going forward, concerns remain over the appropriateness of the quotas set and the robustness of their underpinning NDFs. Furthermore, with the increase in recognised species raises the potential for incorrect species labelling on CITES permits that needs attention.
Environmental and Earth Sciences, Environmental Science
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