CITES
Queen Conch. In 1992, in response to concerns regarding high demand for the species and declining populations, the United States proposed to list the queen conch in Appendix II of CITES.
Portrait of an Oceanic Whitetip shark, (Charcharhinus longimanus). The Bahamas. Photo Credit: Brian Skerry
Sawfsh. Photo Credit: Forest Samuels CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Useful Links |
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) 
is an international agreement signed by 176 nations designed to ensure that international trade in animals and plants does not threaten their survival in the wild. The treaty was drafted in Washington, D.C. in 1973 and entered into force in 1975.
Why is CITES important for Marine Species?
Because many marine species that are traded internationally are highly-migratory – they swim long distances often crossing national boundaries – their conservation can only be achieved by working collaboratively with other nations. CITES provides a legal framework to regulate the international trade of species to ensure their sustainability, and promotes cooperation among CITES member countries - also known as CITES Parties.
How does CITES work?
Species covered by CITES are listed in different appendices according to their conservation status:
- Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction and provides the greatest level of protection, including restrictions on commercial trade.
- Appendix II includes species that although currently not threatened with extinction, may become so without trade controls. Regulated trade is allowed provided that the exporting country issues a permit based on findings that the specimens were legally acquired, and the trade will not be detrimental to the survival of the species or its role in the ecosystem.
- Appendix III includes species for which a country has asked other CITES Parties to help in controlling international trade. Trade in Appendix-III species is regulated using CITES export permits (issued by the country that listed the species in Appendix III) and certificates of origin (issued by all other countries).
Changes to the lists of species in Appendix I and II and to CITES Resolutions and Decisions are made at meetings of the Conference of the Parties, which are convened every two to three years. Countries may list species for which they have domestic regulation in Appendix III at any time.
NOAA's role in CITES
Under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) has been designated to carry out the provisions of CITES. Based on its expertise, NOAA Fisheries provides guidance and scientific support on marine issues.
NOAA Fisheries is responsible for many marine species that are listed under CITES. We draw on the considerable expertise of our regional offices and science centers to participate fully in the implementation of CITES for species under our jurisdiction.
For more information on CITES-listed marine species, please contact Laura Cimo (laura.cimo@noaa.gov).
NEW: Sharks and Rays Gain Protection Under CITES at CoP16 2013 is marked by a historic conservation milestone for sharks and rays globally. At this year's Conference of the Parties (CoP16) in Bangkok, Thailand countries agreed to increase protection for five commercially-exploited species of sharks and manta rays. Read full story… This included the adoption of a Colombian proposal, co-sponsored by the United States and Brazil, to list the oceanic whitetip shark in CITES Appendix II. Other proposals adopted included listing of three species of hammerhead sharks (scalloped, smooth, and great), the porbeagle shark and manta rays also in Appendix II. A CITES Appendix II listing means increased protection for the species, while still allowing legal and sustainable trade. The shark and manta ray listings will go into effect on September 14, 2014. Last but not least, a proposal to increase protection to freshwater sawfish by listing the species in Appendix I was also adopted. An Appendix I listing provides the highest level of protection under CITES by prohibiting all commercial trade. The freshwater sawfish listing will go into effect on June 12, 2013. Click here to learn more about these shark and ray proposals. |
