• Dozens of wildlife species that are threatened by unsustainable trade linked to over-harvesting, over-fishing or over-hunting targeted.
• 18 more shark species were added to Appendix II including blacknose and sharpnose guitarfishes.
The World Wildlife Conference concluded on Wednesday after adopting major decisions on the conservation and sustainable use of wildlife across the globe.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) revised the trade rules for dozens of wildlife species that are threatened by unsustainable trade linked to over-harvesting, over-fishing or over-hunting.
Among the rules revised ranged from commercially valuable fish and trees to charismatic mammals such as giraffes, amphibians and reptiles sold as exotic pets.
“Humanity needs to respond to the growing extinction crisis by transforming the way we manage the world’s wild animals and plants,” CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero said.
She added, “CITES conserves our natural world by ensuring that international trade in wild plants and animals is legal, sustainable and traceable.”
Higuero said well-managed trade also contributes to human well being, livelihoods and the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Appendix I of CITES includes species threatened with extinction.
Trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.
Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilisation incompatible with their survival.
Noting that giraffes have declined by 36-40 per cent over the past three decades due to habitat loss and other pressures, the conference added the world’s tallest animal to Appendix II.
Kenya lobbied to have giraffes given more protection. The country also lobbied to have elephants given more protection.
During the conference which took place in Geneva, 18 more shark species were added to Appendix II.
They included blacknose and sharpnose guitarfishes, which are highly valued for their fins and considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.
Shortfin and longfin mako sharks, together with white-spotted and other species of wedgefishes, were also listed in Appendix II.
Other marine species addressed by the conference included eels, teat fish (sea cucumber), queen conch, marine turtles, precious corals, sturgeons and seahorses.
Governments furthermore agreed to examine the trade in live ornamental marine fish to assess what role CITES could or should play in regulating this trade.
Tropical timber trees comprise another wildlife market of high commercial value.
Responding to high and increasing demand for African teak from Western Africa, CITES broadened the need for trade permits to include plywood and other forms.
Malawi’s national tree, the rare Mulanje cedar, and the slow-growing mukula tree (a type of rosewood) of southern and eastern Africa, were also added to Appendix II.
All Latin American species of cedar were listed in Appendix II.
The conference amended an earlier Appendix II listing of rosewoods and related tree species to ensure that small finished items, including musical instruments, parts and accessories, could be carried across borders without the need for CITES permits.
Asia’s smooth-coated and small-clawed otters, threatened by habit loss and possibly by trade in live animals, were transferred from Appendix II to Appendix I, which prohibits all commercial trade in the species that it lists.
Because the growing exotic pet trade has put enormous pressure on many species of turtle, lizard and gecko, CITES added a range of these species to the Appendices.
The Parties established the CITES Big Cat Task Force with a mandate to improve enforcement, tackle illegal trade and promote collaboration on conserving tigers, lions, cheetahs, jaguars and leopards.
Many countries and their CITES Management Authorities lack the necessary financial and institutional capacity to sustainably manage and conserve their wildlife.
The conference took decisions promoting capacity building and other activities aimed at strengthening wildlife management and compliance with and enforcement of CITES trade rules.
In addition, the critical role of local and indigenous communities that live on the front lines of wildlife conservation and sustainable management, and their need for adequate incomes and livelihoods, was widely recognised.
Overcoming a wide range of differing views, the conference asked Parties to begin considering how to best engage indigenous peoples and local communities in CITES decision-making and implementation.
The conference was attended by 169 member governments (plus the EU) and some 1,700 delegates, observers and journalists.
The next conference will be held in 2022 in Costa Rica.