Introduction of sea cucumber CITES species listed in Apendix II for trade in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Abstract

Trabajo Fin de Máster en Formación Permanente (Curso 2022/23). Tutor: Dr. D. Baraka Lameck Kuguru. This study focused on determine the status of the trade of sea cucumbers in Zanzibar, and to inform national and international policy for the taxa’s improved conservation and management were investigated. To determine the trade routes that are being used for illegal trafficking bêche-de-mer in Zanzibar; and to develop CITES Non- detrimental Findings (NDF) for selected species in trade in Zanzibar’s were investigated. A survey was conducted in eighteen (18) landing sites using questionnaires (Appendix 1) to capture information. Participants in this study were representatives of the community, including the elderly, the youth, local leaders (shehas), MPAs Manages, heads of units of Department of Fisheries and Department of Conservation and Zanzibar Fisheries and marine Resources Research Institute (ZAFIRI). The study was aimed at reviling whether fisherman and Government officer has clearly understood the CITES listed species in Appendix II, and CITES is very useful for biodiversity conservation and promote sustainable trade. Fishermen marine knowledge is found to be useful in identifying and locating resources. The study examined the trade routes that are being used for illegal trafficking bêche-de-mer and how network operated. The network/ route is found to very harmful for marine resources and in consistent with sustainable trade of CITES listed species in Appendix II . The findings also revealed the development of NDF are very important for H. fuscogilva and H. nobils. However the information regarding NDF in this study is not adequate, there is a need to undertake further effort to require more information regarding NDF process.