First thing: I have absolutely nothing to do with WWF-SA except to try
and help them where I can.

Second thing: I hope this is not takes as spam, as that is definitely
not the intent. I am sure there are people here who has dived or who
would like to dive in South Africa. They might be interested in this
article.

Thank you.

WWF-SA's TRAFFIC mailing
 Reef fish in our region are often being caught illegally
using destructive methods.
<http://www.panda.org.za/images/reef_fish.jpg> The rising
tide of illegal trade in marine resources and over-fishing
of some of our most valuable fish stocks is on the point
of OVERWHELMING these resources and COMPROMISING the
livelihoods of future generations
of South Africans.

Abalone, shark, patagonian toothfish, tuna and swordfish stocks
are in danger of collapse if urgent steps are not taken to
effectively manage them and curb so-called pirate fisheries.
The South African Navy's high-seas pursuit of a Uruguayan
pirate toothfish fishing vessel last year made international
news headlines. But the chase continues - there are innumerable
boats and poachers still at large and fishing illegally. The
jailing of a prominent South African businessman in May 2004
for smuggling a variety of fish species to the United States
highlights how institutionalised the culture of plunder for
short-term profit has become.

 Swordfish being processed in Cape Town harbour for export to the
US.<http://www.panda.org.za/images/swordfish.jpg> Despite the
measures implemented to date by South Africa and governments around
the world, the rising tide of illegal fishing and over-fishing has
not been stemmed. A significant amount still needs to be done if
the threat this poses to these unique and valuable fish species is
to be eliminated once and for all.This is where TRAFFIC, the
wildlife trade-monitoring programme of WWF and IUCN, plays a
crucial role. We are dedicated to continuing our support of TRAFFIC
as the wildlife trade watchdog, and continue to assist them in
keeping a constant vigil to ensure that species and valuable
natural resources are not threatened by rampant illegal trade. Our
support extends to all their actions from providing training in
species identification and wildlife trade law, to lobbying for a
CITES Appendix III listing for abalone that will enlist the
cooperation of the international community in tackling the illegal
trade in this threatened species, and assisting countries in East
and Southern Africa to develop national plans of action for the
conservation and management of sharks.


 Hong Kong, a prime destination for illegally caught SA marine
produce.<http://www.panda.org.za/images/ship_junk.jpg> These are but a
few of TRAFFIC's hard-hitting conservation actions, BUT to continue
with this work we URGENTLY need your FINANCIAL SUPPORT! Without it we
would not have been able to help TRAFFIC achieve the many successes
they have had to date. Please assist us in empowering TRAFFIC to
conserve abalone, shark, tuna, patagonian toothfish and swordfish by
making an online credit card donation
<https://secure.pcsnet.co.za/www.panda.org.za/> , debit order payment
<http://www.panda.org.za/Tempfolder/debit_order.doc> or by donating
via cheque or postal order
<http://www.panda.org.za/Tempfolder/don.doc> .

We thank you for your ongoing support.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Frost
Chief Executive

(c) All photos, graphics and images on this site remain the copyright
of
WWF and should not be downloaded without prior agreement.