IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) E-Bulletin February 2004

This monthly Bulletin, as a supplement to SPECIES, SSC’s published newsletter, is to keep staff, members and the wider IUCN network up-to-date with news and announcements from the Commission.

Previous issues: visit the archives

In this issue:

SUSTAINABLE USE HAS ITS DAY AT THE CBD
SSC AT THE 3RD IUCN WORLD CONSERVATION CONGRESS
SHARK SPECIALIST GROUP MEMBERS HELP MIGHTY MAXINE
PEW FELLOWSHIP FOR SSC MEMBER
PROMOTING BRYOPHYTE CONSERVATION IN SOUTH AMERICA
RAPID RECOVERY OF DAMSELFLIES ONCE INVASIVE TREES ARE REMOVED

SUSTAINABLE USE HAS ITS DAY AT THE CBD
Constituting a major landmark for conservation was the adoption, at the recent seventh Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, of the Principles and Guidelines for Sustainable Use of Biodiversity. Within the international conservation community, thinking on sustainable-use has evolved from an IUCN resolution in 1990, and subsequent networking, through to its integration into IUCN programmes, and the principles and tools for governments adopted at this COP. This represents a significant achievement for IUCN and all those who have helped develop and guide sustainable use thinking and practice in conservation over the years, including members of SSC's Sustainable Use Specialist Group.

SSC AT THE 3RD IUCN WORLD CONSERVATION CONGRESS
Preparations are gearing up for the 3rd IUCN World Conservation Congress which takes place 17-25 November in Bangkok, Thailand, encompassing the IUCN Commission meetings, the World Conservation Forum, and the Members' Business Assembly. SSC's meeting will take place 16-17 November and will review achievements over the past intersessional period, and look ahead to challenges and opportunities for the next four years. Plenary sessions and case studies will focus on key challenges for the SSC network: producing the IUCN Red List, using the Species Information Service, and using SSC knowledge. There will also be a session on basic skills for successful Specialist Group action such as fundraising, voluntarism and communication. Through the World Conservation Forum, IUCN aims to explore and demonstrate how conservation knowledge relates to many of the world's most pressing development and sustainability challenges - be they productivity, poverty, peoples' rights to a healthy environment or profitable enterprises. IUCN members and commission members and key partners, are invited to contribute to the Forum. For details of how to submit your proposed contribution see http://iucn.org

SHARK SPECIALIST GROUP MEMBERS HELP MIGHTY MAXINE
In mid-March 2004, a 3m ragged-tooth shark named Mighty Maxine with an extraordinary history will be satellite tagged and released from the Two Oceans Aquarium in South Africa as part of an ocean conservation programme involving members of SSC's Shark Specialist Group. Nine years ago, Maxine nearly died having been caught in shark nets. She was taken in by the aquarium and successfully rehabilitated. Recognizing that Maxine could play a pivotal role in shark and ocean conservation, the Aquarium has created the Maxine Science, Education & Awareness Programme (M-Sea). Maxine's release is the beginning of a long-term scientific research project that will help in the conservation of sharks in general and ragged tooth sharks in particular. More information.

PEW FELLOWSHIP FOR SSC MEMBER
Argentinian scientist and SSC member Claudio Campagna has won a coveted fellowship from the Pew Institute for Ocean Science to help strengthen and preserve the threatened marine environment off the coast of Argentina. Campagna is one of only five recipients of this year's Pew Marine Conservation Fellowships-the world's most prestigious award honouring and investing in applied ocean conservation science and outreach. Each Pew Fellow receives $150,000 over three years to carry out innovative, interdisciplinary projects related to marine conservation. Campagna will use his Fellowship to expand and publicize a project he founded in 2001 called Sea & Sky which is working to establish a protected 'park' in the waters of the Patagonian large marine ecosystem system.

PROMOTING BRYOPHYTE CONSERVATION IN SOUTH AMERICA
A workshop, International Bryophyte Conservation - Current Status and Future Work was held in Mérida, Venezuela recently organized by the SSC Bryophyte Specialist Group, the International Association of Bryologists and local bryologist Dr. Yelitza Leon and her team. This was the first workshop to be held in South America and addressed bryophyte biology, research, and conservation. The Red List of Bryophytes was discussed and the need to assess more species for possible inclusion was stressed. Other topics included raising public awareness, and training bryologists in biodiversity and conservation work as well as in the use of mosses and liverworts in rainforest monitoring. Guidelines were drafted on how scientists should carry out bryophyte collecting in an ethical and non-destructive way.

RAPID RECOVERY OF DAMSELFLIES AS INVASIVE TREES ARE REMOVED
South Africa has made major efforts to remove invasive alien trees along water courses as part of the Working for Water Programme. Recent reports from SSC's Southern African Invertebrate Specialist Group say that three damselfly (Odonata) species that were feared extinct have 'reappeared'. They had not been seen for decades, and one was last recorded in 1920. "This is a salient reminder of the recovery capability of some species that are Red listed, once the threat has been lifted," said Group Chair, Michael Samways.

If you would like more information on any of the items included in this issue or wish to submit an item to future issues, please contact Anna Knee at alk@iucn.org; tel: +41 (0)22 999 0153.