CITES

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.
 

Next CITES meeting - Sharks and Rays are Focus this Year

The sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP16) is scheduled for March 3-14, 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand.  

The United States of America and Brazil have co-sponsored a Colombian proposal for consideration at CoP16 to include the oceanic whitetip shark in CITES Appendix II.  The decision to co-sponsor the proposal was based on concerns that over-exploitation for the international fin trade is negatively impacting the population status of this shark species. 

In addition to oceanic whitetip, the United States strongly supports proposals to list three species of hammerhead sharks (scalloped, great, and smooth), the porbeagle shark and manta rays in CITES Appendix II. We also strongly support a proposal to increase protection for freshwater sawfish. 

Click here to learn more about these shark and ray proposals.

For more information on CITES-listed marine species, please contact Laura Cimo (laura.cimo@noaa.gov).