Wildlife needs to be conserved. There is little doubt about this premise, but the challenge is how. Simply prohibiting the use of animals and fish is appealing to the public and the media. Powerful NGOs promoted series of measures to prevent the use of wildlife. Had they succeeded in saving wildlife? Hardly.

They only succeeded in creating conflicts among various stakeholders and have made the lives of many peoples much difficult. It is not only wildlife but also ordinary people and communities that are betrayed by the simplistic but appealing campaign. Eugene Lapointe has been in the center of this controversy and if you feel committed to the conservation of wildlife, well-being of native and indigenous peoples, and welfare of rural and coastal communities, read Wildlife Betrayed.

Professor Joji Morishita, PhD
Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology