CITES

Aim of CITES

The aim of CITES is to ensure that no wild flora or fauna becomes unsustainably exploited due to international wildlife trade. To prevent unsustainable exploitation, the member nations must apply for permits and certificates before specimens are allowed to enter or leave a country.

CITES and Conservation

Why do we need CITES, and how will it help us conserve wildlife?

The International Wildlife Trade

The international wildlife trade is estimated to value $119 billion. Millions of plants and animal specimens are transported around the globe every year. The trade encompasses live specimens and products derived from them, such as:

• Food products

• Leather goods

• Wooden musical instruments

• Timber

• Medicine

• Souvenirs

Problems Associated with the International Wildlife Trade

Certain species are often exploited heavily due to the trade. When combined with factors such as habitat loss and climate change, their populations may become depleted. They may even face extinction.

Furthermore, not all wildlife trade is licit. The illegal wildlife trade is the world's fourth-largest illegitimate transactional activity. Its value estimates range from $5 to $20 billion.

Illegal wildlife trade has severe impacts. Not just on biodiversity, but on society. Illegal trade undermines local communities, causing residents to losing their jobs and livelihoods. Plus, exporting large volumes of live animals can lead to zoonoses.

How Does CITES Help?

Ensuring sustainable wildlife trade through forms, permits, and certifications limits unsustainable exploitation. An international agreement helps to limit illegal trade and conserve these biological resources for the future.

CITES Appendices

CITES has three appendices.

Appendix I

Appendix I of CITES lists endangered species threatened with extinction. International trade of these species is only permitted in exceptional circumstances (such as non-commercial scientific research). Trade of species listed in Appendix I can only take place if the specimen has been granted an import permit and an export permit.

Species can only be added to or removed from Appendix I at a CITES conference.

Appendix II

Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but may become so unless their trade is closely controlled. Commercial trade of these species is allowed.

International trade of species listed in Appendix II only requires an export permit (import permits aren't necessary in all countries).

Species can only be added to or removed from Appendix at a CITES conference.

Appendix III

Appendix III lists species that are protected in at least one country, to prevent unsustainable or illegal exploitation. An export permit is required.

Unlike the first two appendices, each country can make unilateral changes to Appendix III.

CITES: Forms and Permits

Permits and certificates have been mentioned a few times in this article. Let's look at them in more detail.

Permit Requirements

Import permits are only issued if the species is not to be used for commercial purposes, AND if the import will not affect the survival of the species. If the specimen is live, the recipient must be suitably equipped to house and care for it.

Export permits are only issued if the species has been legally obtained and the export will not be detrimental to the survival of the species.

Re-export certificates will only be issued if the species was imported in accordance to the Convention.

Certificates of origin are issued by the recipient country.

Who Issues the Permits?

The Management Authority of CITES have the main responsibility of implementing the Convention. They maintain registers, review data, and approve and issue certificates and permits.

The Management Authority is advised by the Scientific Authority. Their tasks include:

• Determining if exportation or importation will affect species survival

• Determining if a recipient can adequately care for a live animal

• Monitoring exports and permits

• Providing advice

• Reviewing applications and proposals

Figure 2: Musical instruments containing CITES-listed Brazilian rosewood may require a travel permit. Source: unsplash.com

Species Protected by CITES

Over 38,700 species are protected by CITES. The majority are plants, but some animals are listed too.

Charismatic Species

Most charismatic species are large mammals (such as tigers, elephants, bears, and giraffes). These species draw public support and awareness of conservation.

Figure 3: Tigers are a popular charismatic species. Source: unsplash.com

However, the most numerous groups of species protected by CITES are less well-known. They include aloes, corals, mussels, and frogs.

Potential Drawbacks of CITES

As you have probably concluded from reading this article, CITES is great however, it does have its drawbacks.

• Some people believe that the focus of CITES is a more classical approach which could be restricting conservation efforts. It could be said that giving ownership to communities rather than the state encourages more sustainable use.
• Effective governance is needed to enforce CITES regulations and some countries don't have this. Despite this, a lot of the parties make donations to a fund used to improve law enforcement in developing member countries.
• Some criticise CITES for being influenced by political or emotional motives such as the Atlantic Bluefin tuna being denied CITES protection in 2010 - likely due to economical interest and politics.

I hope that this article has explained the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) for you. The convention aims to prevent unsustainable exploitation by the international wildlife trade. Permits must be issued before specimens can be exported or imported.

^{1. CITES, What is CITES?, 2022}

^{2. International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN Red List, 2022}

^{3. Jia Hao Tow, Economic value of illegal wildlife trade entering the USA, PLos One, 2021}

^{4. Mikaela Conley, Food additive or carcinogen? The growing list of chemicals banned by EU but used in US, The Guardian, 2022}

^{5. Roger Downie, Croaking Science: Captive Breeding, Conservation and Welfare of Amphibians, Froglife, 2021}

^{6. Sarah Heinrich, India’s use of CITES Appendix III, Nature Conservation, 2021}

^{7. WWF, Pangolin, 2022}