CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES

OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA

Our ref.: TDM/KG/ep

Your ref.:

Directorate of Biodiversity Conservation,

Directorate General of Ecosystem and Natural
Resources Conservation,
Ministry of Environment and Forestry
Manggala Wanabakti Bld. Block VII,7th Floor,
Jl. Gatot Subroto, Senayan,
JAKARTA 10270
INDONESIA

Geneva, 22 September 2017

Subject: Review of Significant Trade in specimens of Appendix-II species

[Resolution Conf. 12.8 (Rev. CoP17)]: Stage 3 – paragraph g, ii

Dear Sir/Madam,

The CITES Animals and Plants Committees are charged, in Resolution Conf. 12.8 (Rev. CoP17) on the
Review of Significant Trade in specimens of Appendix-II species, with reviewing the biological and trade
information on Appendix-II species subject to significant levels of trade in order to identify problems and
solutions concerning the implementation of Article IV, paragraphs 2 (a), 3 and 6 (a), of the Convention.
These provisions require that a Scientific Authority makes a scientific assessment that international trade will
not be detrimental to the survival of the species concerned. This assessment is often referred to as making a
1
"non-detriment finding" .

In Annex A attached to this letter, you will find for ease of reference the full text of Resolution Conf. 12.8
(Rev. coP17) on Review of Significant Trade in specimens of Appendix-II species. Annex B shows a
summary schedule on the conduct of the Review of Significant Trade process from the 17th meeting of the
Conference of the Parties (CoP17, Johannesburg, 2016) onwards.

The Secretariat wrote to you on 12 June 2014 to convey the concerns of the Animals Committee about the
export of Malayemys subtrijuga and Notochelys platynota from your country.

The Animals Committee considered this matter at its 29th meeting (Geneva, July 2017). The Animals
Committee determined that ‘action is needed’ to ensure that the trade of Malayemys subtrijuga and
Notochelys platynota from your country is in compliance with the provisions of Article IV, paragraph 2 (a), 3
or 6 (a) of the Convention. Consequently, in consultation with the Secretariat, the Committee formulated
time-bound, feasible, measurable, proportionate, and transparent recommendations to address the problems
of implementing the provisions of Article IV, paragraphs 2 (a), 3 or 6 (a), with deadlines for their
implementation. These recommendations are shown in Annex C to this letter.

This is a critical stage in the Review of Significant Trade process in relation to trade in Malayemys subtrijuga
and Notochelys platynota from Indonesia. We urge you to give this matter your immediate attention. If the
recommendations are not implemented on time, the Secretariat, in consultation with the Chairman of the
Animals Committee, is required to make recommendations to the Standing Committee for appropriate action to
resolve the issue. This could include, as a last resort, a recommendation to the Parties to suspend trade with
your country in the affected species.

1
See Resolution Conf. 16.7 (Rev. CoP17) on Non-detriment findings.

International Environment House • Chemin des Anémones • CH-1219 Châtelaine, Geneva • Switzerland
Tel: +41 (22) 917 81 39/40 • Fax: +41 (22) 797 34 17 • Email: info@[Link] • Web: [Link]
 Annex A

Conf. 12.8
*
Review of Significant Trade in
(Rev. CoP17) specimens of Appendix-II species

RECALLING that Article IV, paragraph 2 (a), of the Convention requires, as a condition for granting an
export permit, that a Scientific Authority of the State of export has advised that the export will not be
detrimental to the survival of the species concerned;

RECALLING that Article IV, paragraph 3, requires a Scientific Authority of each Party to monitor
exports of Appendix-II species and to advise the Management Authority of suitable measures to be
taken to limit such exports in order to maintain such species throughout their range at a level
consistent with their role in the ecosystem;

RECALLING also that Article IV, paragraph 6 (a), requires, as a condition for granting a certificate of
introduction from the sea, that a Scientific Authority of the State of introduction from the sea has
advised that the introduction will not be detrimental to the survival of the species concerned;

CONCERNED that some States permitting export of Appendix-II species are not effectively
implementing Article IV, paragraphs 2 (a), 3 and 6 (a), and that, in such cases, measures necessary
to ensure that the export of an Appendix-II species takes place at a level that will not be detrimental to
the survival of that species, such as population assessments and monitoring programmes, are not
being undertaken, and that information on the biological status of many species is frequently not
available;

RECALLING that the proper implementation of Article IV is essential for the conservation and
sustainable use of Appendix-II species;

NOTING the important benefits of the review of trade in specimens of Appendix-II species by the
Animals and Plants Committees as set out in Resolution Conf. 8.9 (Rev.), adopted by the Conference
of the Parties at its eighth meeting (Kyoto, 1992) and amended at its 11th meeting (Gigiri, 2000),
referred to as the Review of the Significant Trade, and the need to clarify further and simplify the
procedure to be followed;

RECALLING that, at its 12th meeting (Santiago, 2002), the Conference of the Parties mandated the
Animals and Plants Committees to develop terms of reference for an evaluation of the Review of
Significant Trade with the objective of assessing the contribution of the Review of Significant Trade
to the implementation of Article IV, paragraphs 2 (a), 3 and 6 (a), and its impact over time on the
trade and conservation status of species selected for review and subject to recommendations;

NOTING that, in Resolution Conf. 16.7 (Rev. CoP17) on Non-detriment findings, the Conference of
the Parties recommended that Scientific Authorities take into account certain concepts and guiding
principles in considering whether trade would be detrimental to the survival of the species;

ACKNOWLEDGING that the intent of the Review of Significant Trade process is to ensure that trade
in Appendix II species is being conducted sustainably and in accordance with Article IV of the
Convention, and to identify remedial action where it is needed with the ultimate intent of improving the
implementation of the Convention;

EXPECTING that the implementation of recommendations and actions resulting from the Review of
Significant Trade process will improve the capacity of the Scientific Authorities to carry out their non-
detriment findings by improving range States’ science-based conservation and management actions
and improving coordination and communication between Scientific and Management Authorities on
the issuance of export permits;

* Amended at the 13th and 17th meetings of the Conference of the Parties.

Resolution Conf. 12.8 (Rev. CoP17) – 1

AFFIRMING that the Review of Significant Trade process should be transparent, timely, and
straightforward;

NOTING the Guide to CITES compliance procedures found in Resolution Conf. 14.3 on CITES
compliance procedures and FURTHER NOTING the guidance for Parties regarding the management
of export quotas elaborated in Resolution Conf. 14.7 (Rev. CoP15) on Management of nationally
established export quotas; and

NOTING that Resolution Conf. 4.25 (Rev. CoP14) on Reservations recommends that any Party
having entered a reservation with regard to any species included in Appendix I treat that species as if
it were included in Appendix II for all purposes, including documentation and control;

THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION

Regarding conduct of the Review of Significant Trade

1. DIRECTS the Animals and Plants Committees, in cooperation with the Secretariat and experts,
and in consultation with range States, to review the biological, trade and other relevant
information on Appendix-II species subject to significant levels of trade, to identify problems and
solutions concerning the implementation of Article IV, paragraphs 2 (a), 3 and 6 (a), in
accordance with the following procedure and as outlined in Annex 1 of this Resolution:

Stage 1: Selection of species/country combinations to be reviewed

a) the Secretariat shall, within 90 days after each meeting of the Conference of Parties,
commence, or appoint consultants to commence, preparation of a summary from the CITES
Trade Database of annual report statistics showing the recorded level of direct exports for
Appendix-II species over the five most recent years, and an extended analysis of trade to
inform the preliminary selection of species/country combinations, to be completed in
sufficient time for the first regular meeting of the Animals or Plants Committee following that
meeting of the Conference of the Parties (see Annex 2 of this Resolution);

b) on the basis of recorded levels of direct exports and information available to the Animals or
Plants Committee, the Secretariat, Parties or other relevant experts, a limited number of
species/country combinations of greatest concern shall be included in Stage 2 of the review
process by the Animals or Plants Committee at their first regular meeting following a
meeting of the Conference of the Parties; and

c) in exceptional cases, outside of steps 1 a) and b) above, and where new information
provided to the Secretariat by a proponent indicates that rapid action may be needed
concerning problems relating to the implementation of Article IV (for a species/country
combination), the Secretariat:

i) will verify that the proponent has provided a justification for the exceptional case,
including supporting information;

ii) may produce, or request a consultant produce a summary of trade from the CITES
Trade Database in relation to the species/country combination concerned as necessary;
and

iii) will, as soon as possible, provide the justification and, if appropriate, a trade summary
to the Animals or Plants Committee for their intersessional review and decision on
whether or not to include the species/country combination in Stage 2 of the review
process;

Stage 2: Consultation with the range States and compilation of information

d) the Secretariat shall:

i) within 30 days after the meeting of the Animals or Plants Committee at which
species/country combinations are selected, or within 30 days after the Committee has
selected a species/country combination on an exceptional basis, notify selected range

Resolution Conf. 12.8 (Rev. CoP17) – 2

 States that their species has been selected, providing an overview of the review
process and an explanation for the selection. The Secretariat shall request range States
to provide the scientific basis by which it is established that exports from their country
are not detrimental to the survival of the species concerned and are compliant with
Article IV, paragraphs 2 (a), 3 and 6 (a) of the Convention. In its letter, the Secretariat
shall provide guidance to range States on how to respond, explain the consequences of
not responding to the request, and inform the range States that the responses will be
made available on the CITES website as part of the agenda for meetings of the Animals
or Plants Committee. Range States shall be given 60 days to respond; and

ii) compile, or appoint consultants to compile, a report about the biology and management
of and trade in the species, including any relevant information provided by the range
States, to be made available for the next meeting of the Animals or Plants Committee.
In doing so, the Secretariat (or consultants) shall actively engage with the range States
and relevant experts in the compilation of the report;

e) the report required under subparagraph 1 d) ii) shall include conclusions about the effects of
international trade on the selected species/country combinations, the basis on which such
conclusions are made and problems concerning the implementation of Article IV, and shall
provisionally divide the selected species/country combinations into three categories:

i) ‘action is needed’ shall include species/country combinations for which the available
information suggests that the provisions of Article IV, paragraph 2 (a), 3 or 6 (a), are not
being implemented;

ii) ‘unknown status’ shall include species/country combinations for which the Secretariat
(or consultants) could not determine whether or not these provisions are being
implemented; and

iii) ‘less concern’ shall include species/country combinations for which the available
information appears to indicate that these provisions are being met; and

f) once the report is completed, the Secretariat shall draw the attention of the relevant range
States to the report prepared under subparagraĥ d) ii) and invite them to provide any
additional information for consideration at the second meeting of the Animals or Plants
Committee following the Conference of the Parties;

Stage 3: Categorization and Recommendations by the Animals or Plants Committee

g) the Animals or Plants Committee shall, at their second meeting following the Conference of
the Parties, review the report of the Secretariat or the consultants, and the responses and
additional information received from the range States concerned. For each selected
species/country combination the Animals or Plants Committee shall recategorize
species/country combinations of ‘unknown status’ as either ‘action is needed’ or ‘less concern’
and provide a justification for such recategorization. Additionally, if appropriate, the Animals
and Plants Committee shall revise the preliminary categorization proposed for species/country
combinations of those where ‘action is needed’ or those of ‘less concern’ and provide a
justification for the revision;

i) species/country combinations determined by the Animals or Plants Committee to be of

less concern shall be removed from the review process and the Secretariat shall notify
the range States accordingly within 30 days; in cases where the species/country
combination is of less concern due to the establishment of a zero export quota, any
change to this quota should be communicated by the range State to the Secretariat and
the Chair of the relevant Committee along with a justification; and

ii) species/country combinations determined by the Animals or Plants Committee to be

those for which ‘action is needed’ shall be retained in the review process. The Animals
or Plants Committee shall, in consultation with the Secretariat, formulate time-bound,
feasible, measurable, proportionate, and transparent recommendations directed to the
range States retained in the review process, using the principles outlined in Annex 3 of

Resolution Conf. 12.8 (Rev. CoP17) – 3

 this Resolution. The recommendations should aim to build the range State’s long term
capacity to implement Article IV, paragraphs 2 (a), 3 and 6 (a) of the Convention;

h) the Secretariat shall, within 30 days of the meeting of the Animals or Plants Committee,
transmit these recommendations to the range States concerned; and

i) the Animals or Plants Committee shall formulate separate recommendations directed to the
Standing Committee for problems identified in the course of the review that are not directly
related to the implementation of Article IV paragraph 2(a), 3 or 6(a), following the principles
outlined in Annex 3 of this Resolution;

Stage 4: Measures to be taken regarding the implementation of recommendations

j) the Secretariat shall monitor progress against the recommendations, taking account of the
different deadlines;

k) once the range State has reported on the implementation of recommendations or the
deadlines have passed, whichever is first and, following timely intersessional consultation
with members of the Animals or Plants Committee through the Chairs, the Secretariat shall
determine whether the recommendations referred to above have been implemented;

i) where the recommendations have been met, the Secretariat shall, following consultation
with the Chair of the Standing Committee, notify the range States concerned that the
species/country combination was removed from the review process and include the
rationale for its evaluation, noting where relevant, specific commitments made by the
range States in question and, in the case where a species/country combination was
removed from the review process on the basis of the establishment of an interim
precautionary export quota (including a zero export quota) in the place of implementing
the recommendations, any change to this quota should be communicated to the
Secretariat and Chair of the relevant Committee along with a justification, for their
agreement; or

ii) when the recommendations are not deemed to have been met (and no new information
is provided), the Secretariat shall, in consultation with the members of the Animals or
Plants Committee through the Chairs, recommend to the Standing Committee
appropriate action, which may include, as a last resort, a suspension of trade in the
affected species with that State; or

iii) where the recommendations are not deemed to have been met or have been partially
met, and there is new information suggesting the recommendation may require
updating, the Secretariat shall, in a timely fashion, request the members of the Animals
or Plants Committee, through the Chairs, to prepare a revised recommendation,
keeping in mind the principles that recommendations should be time-bound, feasible,
measurable, proportionate, transparent, and should promote capacity building. The
Secretariat shall provide the revised recommendation to the range States within 30
days of its drafting;

l) the Secretariat shall report to the Standing Committee on its evaluation of the
implementation of the recommendations, including the rationale for its evaluation and, where
relevant, specific commitments made by the range States in question, and a summary of the
views expressed by the Animals or Plants Committees. The Secretariat shall additionally
report on any further actions taken by the Animals or Plants Committee in the case of range
States where new information has resulted in revised recommendations;

m) for range States where recommendations are not deemed to have been met, the Standing
Committee shall decide, at its next regular meeting or intersessionally as appropriate, on
necessary action and make recommendations to the range State concerned, or to all
Parties, keeping in mind that these recommendations should be time-bound, feasible,
measurable, proportionate, transparent, and should promote capacity building. In
exceptional circumstances, where the range State under consideration provides new
information on the implementation of the recommendations to the Standing Committee, the
Standing Committee through the Secretariat, shall consult in a timely fashion with the

Resolution Conf. 12.8 (Rev. CoP17) – 4

 members of the Animals or Plants Committee through the Chair, prior to making a decision
on necessary action;

n) the Secretariat shall notify all Parties of any recommendations or actions taken by the
Standing Committee;

o) a recommendation to suspend trade in the affected species with the range State concerned
should be withdrawn only when that range State demonstrates to the satisfaction of the
Standing Committee through the Secretariat, which shall act, through the Chair, in
consultation with the members of the Animals or Plants Committee, in compliance with
Article IV, paragraph 2 (a), 3 or 6 (a); and

p) the Standing Committee, in consultation with the Secretariat and the Chair of the Animals or
Plants Committee, shall review recommendations to suspend trade that have been in place
for longer than two years, evaluate the reasons why this is the case in consultation with the
range State, and, if appropriate, take measures to address the situation;

Regarding problems identified not related to the implementation of Article IV

2. DIRECTS the Standing Committee to address problems identified in the course of the review
process that are not related to the implementation of Article IV, paragraph 2 (a), 3 or 6 (a), in
accordance with other provisions of the Convention and relevant Resolutions;

Regarding support to the range States

3. URGES the Parties, and all organizations and stakeholders interested in the conservation and
sustainable use of wildlife, to provide the necessary financial support or technical assistance to
those States in need of such assistance to ensure that wild populations of species of fauna and
flora subject to significant international trade are not subject to trade that is detrimental to their
survival. Examples of such assistance could include:

a) training of conservation staff in the range States, including by organizing regional

workshops;

b) provision of tools, information and guidance to persons and organizations involved in the
production and export of specimens of the species concerned;

c) facilitation of information exchange among range States, including at the regional level;

d) provision of technical equipment, support and advice; and

e) provision of support for field studies on Appendix-II species identified as being subject to
significant levels of trade; and

4. DIRECTS the Secretariat to assist with identification and communication of funding needs in the
range States and with identification of potential sources of such funding;

Regarding capacity building, monitoring, reporting, and evaluating the review process

5. DIRECTS the Secretariat, for the purpose of monitoring and facilitating the implementation of this
Resolution and the relevant paragraphs of Article IV:

a) to report at each meeting of the Animals or Plants Committee on the implementation by the
range States concerned of the recommendations made by the Committee; and

b) to maintain a database of species/country combinations that are included in the review

process set out in this Resolution including a record of progress with the implementation of
recommendations;

6. DIRECTS the Secretariat to include training on the Review of Significant Trade process as part
of its capacity building activities related to the making of non-detriment findings;

Resolution Conf. 12.8 (Rev. CoP17) – 5

7. DIRECTS the Animals or Plants Committee, in consultation with the Secretariat, to undertake a
regular review of the outcomes of the Review of Significant Trade by, for example, examining a
sample of past species/country combinations to assess whether implementation of Article IV
paragraph 2 (a), 3 or 6 (a) was improved. The Animals or Plants Committee should consider the
results of this review and revise the Review of Significant Trade process as necessary. In doing
so, feedback should be obtained from range States (including their Scientific Authorities) who
have been through the review process; and

8. REPEALS Resolution Conf. 8.9 (Rev.) (Kyoto, 1992, as amended at Gigiri, 2000) – Trade in
specimens of Appendix-II species taken from the wild.

Resolution Conf. 12.8 (Rev. CoP17) – 6

Annex 1 Timeline for the Review of Significant Trade Process

Resolution Conf. 12.8 (Rev. CoP17) – 7

Annex 2 Guidance regarding the selection
of species/country combinations
I. Summary

The summary referred to in Stage 1 a) of this Resolution shall include gross exports of Appendix II
species over the five most recent years (direct trade, sources W, R, U and blank), and include the
following information, by taxon:

1. The countries with direct exports in any of the five most recent years;
1
2. Trade levels for each country with direct exports ;

3. Global conservation status as published in The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species or
otherwise noted as “Not Evaluated”;

4. The population trend, as published in The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species;

5. Species reported in trade for the first time within the CITES Trade Database (noting those which
have been subject to nomenclature changes) since the last Review of Significant Trade selection
process; and

6. A note to indicate whether the species/ country combination has been previously subject to the
Review of Significant Trade.

Where feasible, the summary output shall contain:

1. Whether there are any countries for which a zero quota or trade suspension has been
implemented resulting from the Review of Significant Trade process;

2. Information on whether taxa included are subject to other Multi-lateral Environmental

Agreements or Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, and the relevant agreements
noted; and

3. Species that are endemic, according to the Species+ database, maintained by UNEP-WCMC.

II. Extended Analysis

The extended analysis requested in Stage 1 a) of this Resolution shall be based on gross exports of
Appendix II species including at least the five most recent years (direct trade, sources W, R, U and
blank), and shall include;

1. A subset of taxa that meet clearly defined criteria for “High Volume” trade;

2. A subset of taxa that have been assessed by The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and
that meet clearly defined criteria for “high volume” trade, dependent on the global threat status;

3. A subset of taxa which meet clearly defined criteria for “Sharp increase” in trade; and

4. The above subsets should also incorporate trade reported in the most recent year.

A full methodology for the selection of taxa which meet these selection criteria will be provided in the
outputs submitted to the Animals and Plants Committees.

1
To facilitate this requirement, an excel version of the summary will be produced and will be available in electronic format

Resolution Conf. 12.8 (Rev. CoP17) – 8

Annex 3 Principles for the development of
Recommendations for the Review
of Significant Trade Process
Introduction

This Annex provides general principles that should be followed when developing recommendations
for the Review of Significant Trade process.

Recommendations can include short-term actions that are considered to be relatively rapid to
implement (e.g., interim quotas or size restrictions for export), or longer-term actions that are
recognized to be more complex, resource-intensive, and time-consuming to implement. The intent of
short-term actions is to provide relatively rapid means to address issues of immediate concern;
however, longer-term actions may promote the development of longer-lasting solutions towards
implementation of Article IV. Depending on the situation, one or both types may be appropriate. The
end-point for the interim export quota or other short-term recommendations should normally be no
later than the date of fulfillment of the longer-term recommendations.

In the course of the Review of Significant Trade recommendations formulated may be directed to
range States, to the Standing Committee or to other Parties. As such, recommendations should
clearly indicate to whom the recommendation is directed.

Principles for making Recommendations

Recommendations to range States as part of the Review of Significant Trade should adhere to all of
the following principles.

A recommendation should be:

1. Time-bound

Each recommendation should have a specified end-date for implementation. This end-date
should not normally be less than 90 days after the date of transmission to the range State.
Where possible, the end-dates for recommendations made at a Committee meeting should be
aligned.

2. Feasible

a) A recommendation should be designed so that it will be possible to implement it in the time

frame specified, in consideration of the range State’s capacity.

b) More than one recommendation can be used but care should be taken to ensure the
feasibility of the implementation of all recommendations within the given time frames.

3. Measureable

The recommendation should have a definitive indicator of completion that can be objectively
measured.

4. Proportionate with the nature and severity of the risks

a) A recommendation should specifically address the problem related to the implementation of

Article IV 2(a), 3 or 6(a) that has been identified through the review process.

b) A recommendation should be proportional to the severity of the risks to the species.

Evaluation of risks should be undertaken in consideration of both the species’ susceptibility
to intrinsic or extrinsic factors that increase the risk of extinction, and the mitigating factors,
such as management measures, that decrease the risk of extinction.

Resolution Conf. 12.8 (Rev. CoP17) – 9

5. Transparent

The relevant Committee should outline how its choice of recommendation is proportionate to the
nature of and severity of the risks with reference to the consultant’s report as applicable.

6. Aimed at building the capacity of the range State

A recommendation should contribute to building of the long-term capacity of the range State to
effectively implement Article IV of the Convention.

Recommendations directed to the Standing Committee or other Parties

Recommendations directed to the Standing Committee should also adhere to the principles of being
time-bound, feasible, measurable, and proportionate with the nature and severity of the risks,
transparent and aimed at building the capacity of the range State.

Resolution Conf. 12.8 (Rev. CoP17) – 10

Annex B
 Annex C

RECOMMENDATIONS DIRECTED TO RANGE STATES RETAINED

IN THE REVIEW PROCESS – AGENDA ITEM 13.2

The following recommendations, directed to the range States retained in the review process, are based on the
principles outlined in Annex 3 of Resolution Conf. 12.8 (Rev. CoP17) and the guidance on the formulation of
recommendations contained in Annex 5 to document CoP17 Doc. 33.

Malayemys subtrijuga (Mekong Snail-eating Turtle) / Indonesia. The Management Authority of

Indonesia shall report to the Secretariat on the implementation of the following:

Recommended Action Time-frame for implementation Justification for choice of

recommended action
Short term action The species categorised globally
i) Review and revise, within 90 Within 90 days as Vulnerable.
days, in consultation with the
Secretariat and the Chair of the The basis for non-detriment
Animals Committee, the export findings for export of wild-
quota for the species and sourced specimens for this rare
communicate the quota to the and apparently declining species
Secretariat. The revised quota in Indonesia does not appear to
should be conservative and be robust.
include a restriction on trade to
live individuals with a maximum
A size-selective harvest
straight carapace length (SCL)
measure is recommended to
of 10 cm until the non-native
ensure sustainability and avoid
status of the population in
harvest of adults (adult males
Indonesia is confirmed and the
rarely exceed 13 cm carapace
new management plan is
length, and most females reach
established.
no more than 18 cm straight
ii) No exports should occur until carapace length).
the quota has been published
on the Secretariat’s website.
iii) The export quota (which could
include zero allowable exports)
should be justified as
conservative based on
estimates of sustainable off-
take that make use of best
available scientific information.
iv) Before making any increases to
the interim quota (including
increases from a zero export
quota), the planned changes
should be communicated by the
Management Authority of
Indonesia to the Secretariat and
Chair of the Animals Committee
along with a justification of how
the change is conservative,
based on estimates of
sustainable off-take that make
use of best available scientific
information, for their agreement.
Long term action Refer to AC29 Doc 13.2 Annex 1
i) Undertake science-based Within 2 years
studies
a) to determine the natural
Recommended Action Time-frame for implementation Justification for choice of
recommended action
occurrence of the species in
Indonesia (e.g. molecular-
phylogenetic studies to
determine whether the
species is native or
introduced in Indonesia)
b) on the status of the species
(e.g. population
size/density, trends,
distribution) including an
evaluation of the threats to
the species for use as the
basis for NDFs
ii) Undertake qualitative monitoring
of the scale and trends of all
export (increasing, stable or
decreasing) for use in making
NDFs
Final recommendation Refer to AC29 Doc.13.2 Annex 1
Upon completion of the Within 2 years
recommendations above, the
Management Authority of Indonesia
should provide the scientific basis
by which it has established that
exports from their country are not
detrimental to the survival of the
species and are compliant with
Article IV, paragraphs 2(a), 3 and
6(a) of the Convention. Particular
focus should be given to how the
actions Indonesia has taken or will
take address the
concerns/problems identified in the
Review of Significant Trade
process.

Notochelys platynota (Malayan Flat-shelled Turtle) / Indonesia. The Management Authority of

Indonesia shall report to the Secretariat on the implementation of the following:

Recommended Action Time-frame for implementation Justification for choice of

recommended action
Short term action The basis for non-detriment
i) Review and revise, in Within 90 days findings for exports of wild-
consultation with the Secretariat sourced specimens and the
and the Chair of the Animals establishment of the export
Committee, the export quota for quota has not been provided,
the species within 90 days and and the impact of on-going trade
communicate the quota to the on this apparently declining
Secretariat. The revised quota species is unclear. (AC29
should be conservative and Doc.13.2 Annex 1)
include a restriction on trade to
live individuals with a maximum
straight carapace length (SCL)
of 15 cm.
ii) No exports should occur until
the quota has been published
on the Secretariat’s website.
Recommended Action Time-frame for implementation Justification for choice of
recommended action
iii) The export quota (which could
include zero allowable exports)
should be justified as
conservative based on
estimates of sustainable off-take
that make use of best available
scientific information and clearly
demonstrate how the quota is
managed considering the
variability in status across the
country.
i) Before making any increases to
the interim quota (including
increases from a zero export
quota), the planned changes
should be communicated by the
Management Authority of
Indonesia to the Secretariat and
Chair of the Animals Committee
along with a justification of how
the change is conservative,
based on estimates of
sustainable off-take that make
use of best available scientific
information, for their agreement.
Long term action Refer to AC29 Doc.13.2 Annex 1
i) Undertake science-based Within 2 years
studies on status of the species
(e.g. population size/density,
trends, distribution) including an
evaluation of the threats to the
species for use as the basis for
NDFs.
ii) Undertake qualitative monitoring
of the scale and trends of all
harvest (increasing, stable or
decreasing) for use in making
NDFs
Final recommendation Refer to AC29 Doc.13.2 Annex 1
Upon completion of other Within 2 years
recommendations, the
Management Authority of Indonesia
should provide the scientific basis
by which it has established that
exports from their country are not
detrimental to the survival of the
species and are compliant with
Article IV, paragraphs 2(a), 3 and
6(a) of the Convention. Particular
focus should be given to how the
actions Indonesia has taken or will
take address the
concerns/problems identified in the
Review of Significant Trade
process.