[Coral-List] NOAA Releases Proceedings of the International Cyanide Detection Testing Workshop

Glynnis Roberts Glynnis.Roberts at noaa.gov
Thu Oct 23 11:37:21 EDT 2008


Dear Coral List:

*NOAA Release: Proceedings of the International Cyanide Detection 
Testing Workshop:*

NOAA has released the Proceedings of the International Cyanide Detection 
Testing Workshop. This report summarizes the outcomes of a meeting held 
in Florida in February, 2008, on the current status of field and 
laboratory tests that are available or could be developed to detect the 
presence of cyanide in marine ornamental fish at points of collection, 
export, and import. The Executive Summary includes nine specific 
recommendations needed to develop and implement cyanide testing in 
countries of export and import. The proceedings provide the framework to 
move forward in implementing networks of cyanide-detection laboratories. 
Such networks would advance international efforts to enforce bans on 
this type of fishing and help reduce this illegal and unsustainable 
fishery’s presence in the aquarium trade.

The Proceedings of the International Cyanide Detection Testing Workshop 
are available for download on the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program 
website (http://coralreef.noaa.gov/) or via direct link 
(http://coralreef.noaa.gov/Library/Publications/cyanide_doc.pdf). There 
are a limited number of hard copies available upon request for those who 
cannot download the PDF version.

The illegal use of cyanide to capture live reef fish for both the food 
industry and the aquarium trade is widespread in the Asia-Pacific region 
and leads not only to high mortality rates of the captured fish, but 
damages and kills corals and other reef organisms. Without effective 
testing methods, enforcement of anti-cyanide fishing laws has proved 
difficult. The International Cyanide Detection Testing Workshop was one 
component of a series of initiatives implemented by the NOAA Coral Reef 
Conservation Program to address this destructive practice. Participants 
from the United States, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam included 
government representatives, NGOs, academic institutions, marine aquarium 
industry representatives, fisheries and law enforcement agencies, 
forensic laboratories, and CITES Parties.

For additional information or to obtain hard copies please contact: 
Glynnis Roberts, NOAA NMFS, Coral Reef Conservation Program, at 
Glynnis.Roberts at noaa.gov

-- 
Glynnis Roberts
NOAA Fisheries
Coral Reef Conservation Program
1315 East West Hwy
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Glynnis.Roberts at noaa.gov





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