Minke whale and fulmar in the English Channel
The Rainbow Warrior has set sail from Bangkok in Thailand after winning greater protection for a number of endangered species - including the Irrawaddy dolphin and great white shark.
Our ship lead the battle at the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) to secure the future for a number of key oceans and forests species, as well as thwart Japan's plans to down grade protection for minke whales.
CITES meets once every few years to impose or lift trade restrictions on animals and plants and the results are global and legally binding.
At this year's meeting Greenpeace won protection for:
1. Ramin
This tree species is key to the survival of orang-utans in South East Asia and is being traded illegally and unsustainably. It has been granted Appendix II protection, which allows controlled trade under a system of permits.
During the convention we completed an investigation in to illegal ramin smuggling from Sumatra, Indonesia, into Malaysia and Singapore. The findings were released with the arrival of the Rainbow Warrior in Singapore.
2. Great white sharks
Travelling vast distances and crossing national waters, these rare creatures need international protection to ensure their survival. They've just been awarded Appendix II status.
3. Humphead wrasse
This funny-looking fish has been granted Appendix II protection in response to over exploitation of the species from international trade.
4. Irrawaddy dolphins
This rare cetacean from Asia won Appendix I status (a total ban in trade) - despite concerted efforts to block the move from a number of nations, including Japan.
5. Minke whales
Japan's fifth successive attempt to down list minke whales from Appendix I to Appendix II was heavily defeated. Japan wants to resume trade in whale products - but needs to down list whales from Appendix I first.
6. African elephants
A proposal by Namibia to sell 2,000 kgs of ivory a year was voted down. However, we were disappointed to see Nambia get the go ahead to allow local communities to trade in traditional ivory carvings.
