How many countries have signed the CITES treaty?
With 178 Member States, CITES is one of the world’s most powerful tools for biodiversity conservation through the regulation of trade in wild fauna and flora.
What does the CITES treaty list?
CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species.
What is protected by the CITES agreement?
CITES is an international agreement that regulates and monitors trade in animal and plant species to ensure it does not threaten their long-term survival in the wild.
Which would be violation of the CITES treaty?
CITES violations involve border crossings and the harvesting, transport, handling, sale, or possession of live specimens. Some 5,950 animal species and 32,800 plant species are protected by this international agreement.
Is the USA part of CITES?
Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has been designated to carry out the provisions of CITES through the Division of Management Authority and the Division of Scientific Authority.
How many species are protected by CITES?
Over 38,700 species – including roughly 5,950 species of animals and 32,800 species of plants – are protected by CITES against over-exploitation through international trade. They are listed in the three CITES Appendices.
What is the main goal of CITES?
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international treaty to prevent species from becoming endangered or extinct because of international trade.
Are dolphins protected under CITES?
Ganges River Dolphin is listed on the Appendix I of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and Schedule I of India’s Wildlife (Protection), Act, 1972.
Are CITES legally binding?
Although CITES is legally binding on States it is not self-executing. This means that it cannot be fully implemented until specific domestic measures have been adopted for that purpose. National laws for implementing CITES are critical to ensure that trade in protected species is legal, sustainable and traceable.
What are the penalties for violating the CITES agreement?
CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora….Share of CITES parties by maximum penalty possible for violation of CITES regulations in 2015.
| Characteristic | Share of CITES parties |
|---|---|
| More than 4 years imprisonment | 26% |
| Fine only | 31% |
| Less than 4 years imprisonment | 43% |
What are the punishments for breaking CITES?
The maximum penalty is a 7 year prison sentence and an unlimited fine. You must apply for a permit or certificate to import, export or re-export any living or dead plant or animal (or any of its parts) that is listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ( CITES ).
What happens if CITES is broken?
If a party violates the convention, CITES can respond with sanctions, which prevent a country from trading in CITES-listed species. But countries are rarely sanctioned and the process can become highly politicized.