CITES Implementation and Compliance
We may be living through the sixth mass extinction event. And unlike the five that have come before, this one is human caused. Loss of biodiversity and wildlife is predominantly caused by habitat loss from human expansion into all ecosystems of the planet, but the second cause of biodiversity loss is the overexploitation of wildlife, including trade, poaching and trafficking.
The main global instrument that regulates trade in wildlife (at least those recognised as being threatened by trade) is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Since 1975, when CITES took full effect, member countries have been trying to regulate the trade in wildlife, so that it does not threaten the survival or sustainable use of species. Yet, every three years during the Conference of the Parties many more species get added to the appendices that list CITES species and the plight of many species - elephants, rhinoceros and so forth - is grim. What then can be done to improve CITES? During this project, I looked for lessons that could be learned as well as best practice in the implementation of and compliance with CITES, with the aim of improving the convention and helping to save wildlife.
The main global instrument that regulates trade in wildlife (at least those recognised as being threatened by trade) is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Since 1975, when CITES took full effect, member countries have been trying to regulate the trade in wildlife, so that it does not threaten the survival or sustainable use of species. Yet, every three years during the Conference of the Parties many more species get added to the appendices that list CITES species and the plight of many species - elephants, rhinoceros and so forth - is grim. What then can be done to improve CITES? During this project, I looked for lessons that could be learned as well as best practice in the implementation of and compliance with CITES, with the aim of improving the convention and helping to save wildlife.