滝本 匠 
June 14, 2022 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Hiroyuki Takatsuji
It came to this newspaper's attention on June 13, through an interview with a concerned person, that a man in his 20s in Okinawa has been exposed by the prefectural police on suspicion of violating the Act on Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (ban on advertising for the purpose of sale) by posting, for sale in an internet auction, a Ryukyu spiny newt (Echinotrton andersoni) which is a prefecturally-designated natural monument and has also been designated as a domestically endangered species. An expert stated the warning: "My concern for the flora and fauna of Okinawa is growing. The ecosystem will likely be threatened if illegal transactions on the internet continue."
The man, who was posting the Ryukyu spiny newt for sale in the internet auction as a different variety of salamander from overseas, was exposed after this newspaper made a report in May 2021 questioning the legality of this activity.
The Ryukyu spiny newt is an endemic species to the Ryukyu archipelago and is mainly distributed throughout the Northern part of Okinawa Island, which is a World Natural Heritage Site, and Tokashiki Island. In addition to being designated as a domestically endangered species, the Ryukyu spiny newt is published in Appendix III of the Washington Convention, which regulates international trade.
According to the concerned person who was interviewed, the man in his 20s caught the Ryukyu spiny newt in Okinawa and put it up for sale in an internet auction. The buyout price was set at 50,000 yen. The man removed his posting for sale of the newt after receiving identifications such as, "Isn't this the scarce Ryukyu spiny newt?" from visitors to the website. Additionally, the man is reported to have said, "I have returned [the Ryukyu spiny newt] to the location where I caught it."
The prefectural police conducted a house search at the man's address, and, in August 2021, filed a charge against him on suspicion of violating the Act on Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Afterward, the charge was dropped.
In relation to violations of the Act on Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the prefectural police have, to date, exposed ten people in eight incidents, including this one, of conducting transactions for Ryukyu spiny newts, sea turtles, and the like in internet auctions.
(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)
