CITES Conference A Success

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) recently finished a convention this year, 2013. Some of the topics they covered ranged from Rhino-poaching and Timber species. Let's take a look at some of the things they've agreed on:

• Manta rays proposal. At a United Nations meeting on March 11, governments voted for better international trade controls on Manta Rays. Rays are highly sought after for their gill-plates which are very valuable, as well as for meat and skin. These things are traded internationally. Sadly, Manta Rays do not produce very quickly; one pup is born every 2-5 years. Because of these factors, poaching will soon threaten the Ray population  if not confronted. However, confronting is exactly what CITES did with the problem, and a proposal from Columbia and Ecuador listed Manta Rays under Appendix II of CITES. Now, more extreme measure will be taken to prevent the trafficking of this species.
• Timber species. At this CITES convention many species of trees are now going to have better international shipping controls. Tropical species from Madagascar and Central America, as well as many more from around the world, were agreed upon as part of this decision.
• Illegal toothfish fishing. This was not an issue that was spoken about, per se... more like a topic brought up and no one spoke. Many government officials were called out for breaking promises regarding these fish. While the issue of protection rights being violated is serious, it has not been resolved by the CITES council. Action being taken to reduce illegal toothfish fishing is minimal.
• Tiger smuggling. Since 2010, a report has been being conducted about Tiger smuggling and poaching. Along with WWF, CITES launched a report called "Reduced to Skin and Bones Revisited" and results of these tiger seizure statistics are extremely shocking. They found that an average of 110 tigers were killed a year. From 2000-2012, 654 tiger part seizures were reported, these parts belonging to over 1,000 animals. CITES has decided to take more action, and some reinforcements to stop Tiger and big Asian cat trafficking in Asia and other parts of the world.
• Other issues brought up were protection of different shark species, and ivory trade control. Decisions to limit shark fin and body part capture were accepted, causing great celebration among scientists and shark activists. Although there was some protest, these decisions were not recalled and there is more work being done to stop shark trade. Governments in Bangkok decided on more measures to restrict and control ivory trade, possibly due to the record-breaking statistics of elephant poaching in Africa.

This CITES convention covered many issues about animals and wildlife trafficking, and many measures were passed regarding the prevention and control of international wildlife trafficking. I think all of nature can certainly thank CITES for all their efforts in stopping wildlife trafficking in our world!