CMS SHARKS MOU: AUSTRALIAN OBSERVATIONS

UNCLAS CANBERRA 000083

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR OES/OMC DAVID HOGAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EFIS PHSA AS
SUBJECT: CMS SHARKS MOU: AUSTRALIAN OBSERVATIONS

REF: SECSTATE 10014


1. (SBU) Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
executive officer Ji-soo Woo contacted econoff on February 3
regarding Australian views on the non-paper (reftel) we
provided to the GOA on shark conservation. Woo thanked us
for the information, and indicated Australia was very
interested in comparing notes with the U.S. delegation at the
Sharks III Manila meetings.


2. (SBU) Woo did say that Australia prefers to adopt an
automatic inclusion clause for all shark species in the MOU,
as it provides the "most straightforward, independent process
for future additions to the MOU." Woo pointed out that any
species included in an appendix to the MOU will have already
gone through rigorous scientific assessment, and automatic
inclusion would prevent a double burden in assessing a
species under the MOU. Woo said that the GOA's
representative at the meetings will be Nigel Routh from the
Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
Routh's email contact is nigel.routh@environment.gov.au.
Communications with Routh should also cc Narelle Montgomery
(narelle.montgomery@environment.gov.au) and Anthony McGregor
(anthony.mcgregor@environment.gov.au) as well.

BLEICH