Sea Shepherd Calls For the Removal of Dr Giam Choo-Hoo From the United Nations CITES Committee

(GIG HARBOR, WA) - Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has called for and demanded the immediate removal of Dr Giam Choo-Hoo from the UN’s Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Dr. Giam, a key member of the UN body that helps regulates trade in endangered animals has been accused of being a representative of the shark fin industry, which is driving some species of the fish towards extinction. Sea Shepherd has also requested that CITES introduce a conflict of interest provisos.

Captain Paul Watson has sent a letter to CITES and many other animal protection groups stating, “Sea Shepherd has initiated a campaign to bring the activities of Dr. Giam and CITES lack of a conflict of interest provisos to the world and this campaign will not cease until these issues are addressed.”

Dr. Giam represents Asia on the CITES Animal Committee. The role of the Animals Committee is to provide scientific evaluation of the threats to species covered by the United Nation’s Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Dr Giam Choo-Hoo speaking at a recent
conference in Singapore - FrankPope.co.uk

A recently published 50 page report from an independent investigator has brought to light a major conflict of interest case where the main culprit, Dr Giam Choo-Hoo, has been using his position of power to influence and lobby those within CITES against any protection of shark species. With 100 million sharks being killed every year, and nearly all scientist and NGOs calling for protection of many of the shark species, it is obvious that this practice is unsustainable and must be stopped. Yet CITES remains ineffective. Several experts have stepped forward claiming to have information on other CITES members whose position reflects a conflict of interest. Unlike other multilateral UN treaties such as the World Health Organization and the Food & Agriculture Organization, CITES has no rules against such conflicts of interest. CITES Secretary General John Scanlon said that although rules to prevent such conflicts of interest had been proposed they had been voted down by member states.

“Without the removal of Dr Giam and the introduction of ‘Conflict of Interest’ provisos to CITES, nothing will ever be protected and the biodiversity of life on OUR planet will lie in the hands of those whose only wish is to exploit for their own personal greed,” stated Gary Stokes, Sea Shepherd Hong Kong Coordinator.

Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) is an international non-profit conservation organization whose mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species. Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately balanced oceanic ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations. Founder and President Captain Paul Watson, is a world renowned, respected leader in environmental issues. Visit www.seashepherd.org for more information.