Large-scale seizures of illegal ivory are at record highs and poaching of rhino and elephants is at the worst level seen for 25 years. However, the shipping industry can help end the illicit trade of wildlife and wildlife products, Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge said in an address to the UK Chamber of Shipping’s Annual Dinner.
Prince William noted:
The nub of my argument is that ultimately I believe that tackling the illegal trade in wildlife is in your interests as an industry. The trade undermines security; it fuels organised crime and it robs developing countries of a natural resource that will contribute to their future prosperity.
The Duke is President of United for Wildlife, a coalition of leading wildlife charities. United for Wildlife aims to engage the transport industry to save protected species from illegal trade.
The UK Chamber of Shipping was among the first who signed the United For Wildlife’s Buckingham Palace Declaration, which forms an action plan to strengthen defences against trafficking.
In addition, UK Chamber recently launched the Environmental Resolution, which wants to prevent the transport of illegal animal and plant products by sea.
