Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
CITES stands for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora which entered into force on 1 July 1975 and, at the time of writing, had a membership of 152 countries. These countries act by banning commercial international trade in an agreed list of endangered species (those listed on CITES Appendix 1) and by regulating and monitoring trade in others that might become endangered (those listed on CITES Appendices II and III). CITES has established a worldwide system of controls on international trade in threatened wildlife and wildlife products by stipulating that government permits are required for such trade. Protection is provided for species in two main categories: The most endangered species Appendix I Includes all species threatened with extinction which are or may be affected by trade. Other species at serious risk Appendix II Includes all species which, although not necessarily currently threatened with extinction, may become so unless trade is subject to strict regulation; and Other species which must be subject to regulation in order that trade in certain specimens of species may be brought under effective control, i.e, species similar in appearance. Appendix III All species which any party identifies as being subject to regulation within its jurisdiction for the purpose of preventing or restricting exploitation. The cooperation of other parties is therefore needed. To date, the role of CITES in fisheries has been relatively minor. There are only 8 fish species listed on Appendix 1 and 28 species listed on Appendix 2 out of totals for each appendix of more than 500 and 4 000 animals respectively. However, it has had significant impact with some non-fish species important either as targeted species in marine harvesting activities or taken as bycatch in fisheries. For example, a number of whale species and stocks are listed on Appendix 1 of CITES, as are all marine turtle species. In recent years there has, however, been discussion about an increasing role of CITES in terms of fish and fisheries. During the 10th Session of the CITES Conference of Parties in 1997 (Harare, Zimbabwe) a proposal was tabled for a Working Group for Marine Species. In motivating this proposal, proponents stated that some marine fish species, subject to large-scale commercial harvesting and international trade, currently qualify for inclusion in CITES Appendices. Other members are concerned about such an increasing role for CITES and have the view that other inter-governmental organizations such as regional fisheries organizations and FAO should have the responsibility for conservation of species exploited by fisheries in marine and large freshwater bodies.   Prepared by K.L. Cochrane Marine Resources Service   reference sources The information above was extracted from the CITES website http://www.wcmc.org.uk/CITES/eng/append/species.shtml on 16 November 2000, except for that discussing the different viewpoints on the role of CITES in species exploited by fisheries in marine and large freshwater bodies, which was taken from document FI:SLC/2000/2 (Revised)   Top		CITES logo further information CITES Listing criteria for marine species under CITES Suitability of the CITES criteria for listing commercially-exploited aquatic species additional reading FAO. 2000. An appraisal of the suitability of the CITES criteria for listing commercially-exploited aquatic species. FAO Fisheries Circular 954. 66pp. FAO. 2000. Technical consultation on the suitability of the CITES criteria for listing commercially-exploited aquatic species. Rome, Italy, 28-30 June 2000. FAO Fisheries Circular 629. FAO. 2001. An evaluation of the suitability of the CITES criteria for listing species exploited by fisheries in marine and large freshwater bodies (Revised). FI:SLC/2000/2. reference sources