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Description
The problem addressed by the project:
For many invasive alien species, open trade on the Internet is the primary form of distribution. This is due to ignorance of regulations (in the public, in traders and in law enforcement agencies). The objects traded are commonly found in the environment, initiating invasions to the detriment of ecosystems.
The main activities planned to address this challenge:
Six repetitions of the monitoring survey (every 6 mths) of the trade in IAS on the internet will be conducted.
The monitoring results will be reported to law enforcement and conservation agencies.
Two educational and cooperation-building seminars will be conducted for both groups.
The police will be provided with expert support throughout the project.
By seven media campaigns and via the Internet, the society will be intensively educated about the regulations and threats to nature caused by IAS and trade in them.
The expected achievement:
Protection of ecosystems against IAS that are subject to a ban on trade in PL, by significant (75%) reducer of illegal e-trade in them through the identification ad blocking of sources and channels.
From this project are exected to benefit:
enforcement agencies (information, training, expert support);
nature protection authorities (information);
e-trade service providers (information, advice);
society as a whole,specially people e-trading (knowlage).
Summary of project results
For many alien invasive species (IAS), the possession and sale of which without a permit is prohibited in Poland, the primary form of distribution is through overt trading on the Internet. This is due to unfamiliarity with the legislation on these organisms (among the public, traders and law enforcement officials). Trafficked items commonly end up in the environment, initiating invasions to the detriment of ecosystems as well as the economy and sometimes human safety.
The following activities were carried out as part of the project:
Task 1: Identification of IAS e-commerce sources and distribution routes. We carried out 6 iterations of IAS e-commerce monitoring, using a method developed by our Society. All restricted species were searched for and an analysis of the legality of the offers was carried out. After each repetition of monitoring, a database of results was created for law enforcement. After each annual cycle, a report was produced with summary summaries and discussions of the results. All these materials were provided to the law enforcement authorities of the respective province.
Task 2 Seminars and support for law enforcement and conservation representatives on IAS e-commerce. Two 2-day seminars were held for representatives of law enforcement (police, but also SCŚ) and nature conservation (RDOŚ, GDOŚ) - on average 40 participants each. The seminar discussed the legislation and its relevance, as well as the results of the monitoring.
A helpline was run for law enforcement agencies throughout the project, providing biological and legal advice.
Task 3 Public information and education activities
A basic project website was set up. Project-related information was published on the Internet and in the Nature Magazine, SALAMANDRA. A summary of the results of the monitoring studies was published. In addition, 7 media campaigns were conducted on topics related to the project. There were also a number of announcements about our project in the traditional media!.
As a result of the seminars, reports and telephone consultations, the level of knowledge of the representatives of the conservation authorities and some of the regional prosecuting authorities about IGO offences has increased. On the basis of the reports received, a number of criminal prosecutions have been initiated. Information about this spread among traffickers, resulting in a significant decrease in illegal trade on the Polish Internet.