• INTERNATIONAL
  World's Seas Awash with Sewage

• INTERNATIONAL
  U.S. Petitioned to Act Against Illegal EU Fishing

• TAIWAN
  Whale Shark Harvest Monitoring System a First

• MALAYSIA
  Peasants and Scientists Challenge Corporate Biotech

• RUSSIA
  IFAW CITES Shelter Will House Confiscated Animals

• EUROPE
  Strict EU Limits Could Kill GM-Free Animal Feed

World's Seas Awash with Sewage

Prepared in response to a target on sanitation agreed at last month's World Summit on Sustainable Development, the report shows that hundreds of millions of coastal dwellers are at risk.

UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer said, "Lack of adequate sanitation has been emerging as one of the biggest threats to human health. It is estimated that the global economic burden due to ill-health, disease and death related to pollution of coastal waters is running at $16 billion a year."

One way of dealing with the problem is to "set realistic but ambitious wastewater emission targets," Toepfer said, stressing that the targets should be "linked to a timetable when the targets should be met."

The South Asian seas are at highest risk of pollution as a result of 825 million people being without basic sanitation services, according to the new UNEP report detailing the global threat to coastal populations and the environment from untreated sewage discharges.

The report, "Water Supply and Sanitation Coverage in UNEP Regional Seas - Need For Wastewater Emission Targets?" shows that the level of untreated domestic wastes being discharged into South Asia's coastal waters is the highest in the world, increasing the risk of shellfish contamination and the chance of toxic, algal blooms poisoning fish and wildlife.

Precious habitats, such as South Asia's coral reefs, are under increased stress as a result of the high levels of nutrients and suspended solids linked with the discharges.

The region at second highest risk is East Asia, where 515 million people, or 25 percent of the population in coastal countries, are without access to proper sanitation services.

The facts detailed in the report are intended to assist the UNEP Regional Seas Programmes in taking appropriate action to contribute to achieving a target agreed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development. This aims, by the year 2015, to halve the number of people that have no access to basic sanitation services.

Almost 40 percent of the world population lives in coastal areas, less then 60 kilometers (40 miles) from the shoreline.

The third most polluted region is the seas of the North West Pacific where 414 million people have no access to basic sanitation systems.

Then, in descending order, the report lists the number of millions of people in each region of the world that are at risk from sewage pollution of their seas - West and Central African, 107 million; South West Atlantic, 45 million; Wider Caribbean, 34 million; Mediterranean, 26 million; Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, 21 million; East African, 19 million; the Persian, or Arabian, Gulf, 18 million; the Black Sea, 14 million; the South East Pacific, 12 million; and the South Pacific, two million.

UNEP officials are considering Wastewater Emission Targets as instruments for prioritization, resource allocation and progress reporting towards achieving the global targets agreed upon at the World Summit.

"One additional target, which we believe is doable at the global level, is to have a minimum of 20 percent of coastal cities implementing sustainable and environmentally sound water supply and wastewater treatment systems by 2012, said Cees van de Guchte, the senior program officer who is responsible for the Strategic Action Plan on Municipal Wastewater of UNEP's Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities.

The goal is to provide safe drinking water and proper sanitation to all the world's people by 2025. "Some experts estimate that this would cost $180 billion a year - two to three times more then present investments in the water sector. It may seem high," van de Guchte said, "but the benefits in terms of disease reduction and dramatic environmental improvements to the coastal and marine environment are also high."

U.S. Petitioned to Act Against Illegal EU Fishing

WWF, the conservation organization, and the Recreational Fishing Alliance are petitioning the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to certify the EU under the Pelly Amendment to the Fishermen's Protective Act of 1967 for irresponsible fishing practices.

Following certification under this amendment, the President may impose import restrictions on any product from the offending country.

The petitioners say European practices have undermined the effectiveness of the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), a treaty that establishes quotas and management measures to maintain the populations of tuna and similar species that migrate across the Atlantic Ocean.

"Despite ICCAT's recommendations that white marlin landings be reduced to 33 percent of 1999 landing levels, the EU increased its landings to 193 metric tons in 2000," said Scott Burns, director of marine conservation at WWF.

Burns points to "a pattern of noncompliance with ICCAT requirements." A 1999 report from TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring arm of the WWF, found that 83 percent of the bluefin tuna landed from the Mediterranean, and 51 percent from the Atlantic, were undersized.

James Donofrio, RFA executive director, said, "U.S. recreational and commercial fishing organizations have considered ICCAT non-compliance a problem for years and, in partnership with WWF, we are tackling this issue head on."

Both groups report in their petitions that the EU is exceeding catch limits for Atlantic white marlin and Atlantic bluefin tuna, and has refused to take steps to protect juvenile fish.

In addition, the RFA petition points out that the EU has provided illegal subsidies to its fishing industry through its Common Fisheries Policy that violate international trade agreements.

The RFA has asked the Office of the United States Trade Representative to investigate European practices that are injuring Atlantic populations of blue and white marlin, bluefin tuna and swordfish.

Under Section 301 the President would be required to act if it is determined that the European Union has acted unlawfully.

Taiwan's Whale Shark Harvest Monitoring System a First

Still, TRAFFIC says it has uncovered a significant discrepancy between catch data from the Whale Shark Harvest Reporting System and the large quantity of whale shark product on the market. This raises the possibility of "unreported or under-reported catches taking place or significant amounts of whale shark meat entering Taiwan's market through unofficial channels," the organization warned.

The Whale Shark Harvest Reporting System was introduced last year to provide a basis for the development of a whale shark management system that would take into account both the conservation needs of the species and the economic needs of fishers.

In view of the large amount of whale shark meat on the market, TRAFFIC is urging Taiwanese authorities to strengthen the reporting system with comprehensive catch and trade data.

The whale shark is the largest fish on earth and lives in all tropical and warm temperate seas. Taiwan has been identified as the world's largest market for whale shark meat. There appears to be no Taiwanese market for whale shark fins.

Currently the whale shark is classified as "vulnerable" in the IUCN's 2000 Red List of Threatened Animals.

A proposal has been submitted to include the species in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) when the Parties to this treaty meet in Chile in November. Acceptance of the proposal by the 160 CITES Member States would mean that international trade in whale sharks could continue, but through a system of permits required to ensure that trade is legal and sustainable.

The TRAFFIC report concludes that special attention needs to be given to development of an action plan for conservation of sharks in Taiwan. A conservation plan is needed to offset the lack of commitment by shark fishing nations to implement the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's International Plan of Action for Sharks (IPOA). To date, only one of 18 major shark fishing nations has implemented the IPOA and only two have completed national plans of action.

Peasants and Scientists Challenge Malaysian Biotech

"We are very surprised and shocked that the Malaysian government is organizing BioMalaysia in light of increasing concerns being raised about the human health and environmental impacts of genetically engineered crops and food", commented Sarojeni Rengam, executive director of Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific, at the launch of the BioMalaysia 2002, an event that was opened by Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohammed.

In preparation for their presentation, a Peasants Scientists Conference was convened in Kuala Lumpur from September 27 to 30, "to foster and advance genuine people centred science analysis, understanding and networking between the peasants movements in Asia, and the scientific and academic community," the Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PAN AP) said.

Peasant Movement of the Philippines chairman Rafael Mariano said, "The Conference is a significant advancement of the peoples' struggle for land and food without poisons. This partnership of people oriented scientists will confront and expose corporate science and their anti-people scientists, and expose unwanted technologies such as genetically engineered foods and pesticides."

The peasants and scientists produced a Unity Statement that condemns "globalization, with its ever-worsening and devastating impacts and the rapid advancement of corporate agriculture on peasant livelihoods, health, the environment, food security and sovereignty."

"Corporate agriculture and food processing underpinned by distorted or flawed science has promoted monocultures, pesticides, and has now introduced genetically engineered organisms. This agriculture destroys the environment and people's lives," the Unity Statement asserts.

Peasant groups from Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippine have protested the field testing of genetically altered crops in their countries because they view these technologies as a new wave of damaging technologies that they have had to bitterly struggle through during the Green Revolution, says PAN AP.

"We are thus committed to unmasking corporate propaganda and tactics of domination, harassment, and repression. We challenge our institutions and universities to be free from corporate control; to develop genuine people-centered science curricula and programmes; and to promote and develop community-based research," the peasants and scientists state.

Sarojeni was among 200 guests invited to the opening of BioMalaysia 2002 on October 1, and took the opportunity to give the Peasants Scientists Unity Statement to the Malaysian leader.

Russian IFAW CITES Shelter Will House Confiscated Animals

The IFAW CITES Shelter is situated 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) outside of Moscow on the road to St. Petersburg, about 20 minutes drive from Moscow's Shemetevo Airport where customs officials will confiscate illegally traded animals.

IFAW believes the opening of what will be Russia's first ever such facility is a vital step forward in improving the enforcement of CITES regulations in a country where the illegal trade in endangered animal species is a fast growing area for organized crime.

CITES Secretary General Willem Wijnstekers flew in from Switzerland to perform the opening ceremony. The project has received the support of Russia's Ministry of Natural Resources, Customs, and Veterinary Service, all of which were represented at the opening.

Dr. Masha Vorontsova, IFAW's director for Russia, said, "This center gives the opportunity for CITES regulations to be enforced far more rigorously in the future and that is great news for the thousands of animals being illegally shipped in and out of Russia each year."

The shelter was funded by IFAW at a cost of more than $100,000 at the request of Russia's CITES authorities and Moscow State University.

It involved the complete renovation of a two story laboratory building at Moscow State University's Chashnikovo biological station. The building had been abandoned for several years due to the lack of funds for scientific research.

The refurbishment includes cages for small mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, offices, new bathrooms, kitchens equipped for feeding the animals, and new heating and electricity systems.

The center will be managed by the Moscow State University in cooperation with Russia's CITES authorities.

Chris Tuite, director of IFAW's Wildlife and Habitat Program, said, "The illegal trade in endangered and exotic species is big business for organized crime worth billions of dollars worldwide and Russia is an important center for this cruel waste of wildlife."

"This center for excellence will offer the first major breakthrough in dealing with such illegal trade," said Tuite. "Without facilities such as this, enforcement of the regulations is virtually impossible."

Strict EU Limits Could Kill GM-Free Animal Feed

The prediction comes as ministers prepare to finalize European Union legislation on the traceability and labeling of genetically modified foods and feeds.

At a conference in Brussels, food and feed chain management consultants Arcadia said current proposals for a one percent tolerance threshold for modified material in non-GM soya bean animal feed would increase final consumer meat prices by only 1.5 percent.

But the cost of segregating GM-free feed at earlier stages to achieve the one percent tolerance threshold would be much greater, said the consultants - around seven percent higher at the farm stage and up to 13 percent higher at the bean crushing stage.

In an industry of extremely tight margins, this would be hard for many producers to bear, said Jon Allen of Arcadia.

"People will potentially say 'to hell with it'" and not produce non-GM soya," he said, creating a problem for a European Union heavily dependent on imports for its animal feed.

"It's difficult to see how Europe could remain a [GM-free] island in world trade flows of GM crops," Allen said.

{The GM feed report is published in cooperation with ENDS Environment Daily, Europe's choice for environmental news. Environmental Data Services Ltd, London.}