SPECIES PROPOSALS WORKING DOCUMENTS

SPECIES PROPOSALSPages 1-32

WORKING DOCUMENTSPages 33-77

Dear Delegates and Colleagues:

On behalf of the over one hundred Member Organizations of the Species Survival Network, I am pleased to share with you SSN’s summary and analysis of the documents to be considered at the 17th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES in Johannesburg, South Africa. CoP17 promises to be a landmark meeting. Parties will debate more than 180 documents, covering issues of crucial importance at a time when the world’s wild fauna and flora face unprecedented pressure. We believe that this Digest will provide Parties with easy access to the information they need, both to facilitate a well-informed debate and to reach the best possible outcomes.

We encourage Party representatives to take advantage of CoP17 to: build on the positive impact for wildlife and people that this Convention has had over the years; take measures to improve the survival prospects of wild species; and recognize that where live trade is involved, the welfare of every specimen must be a priority. We urge Party delegates to keep in mind Prince Bernhard’s wise words, spoken at CoP7 in 1989: “Where there is doubt, the benefit of the doubt should go to the species”.

I, together with my SSN colleagues, wish you success in your deliberations at CITES CoP17, and commend your efforts on behalf of the species we all seek to conserve.

Will Travers OBEPresident, Species Survival Network

1w w w . s s n . o r g

SPECIES/PROPONENT/PROPOSAL CURRENT STATUS OF SPECIES SSN VIEW

w w w . s s n . o r g

Analysis of the Proposals to Amend Appendices I and II To be discussed at the 17th Conference of the Parties to CITES, Johannesburg, South Africa, 24 September – 5 October 2016

Prepared by the Species Survival Network with the generous support of Vulcan Inc., a Paul G Allen CompanyAbbreviations used: RC=Resolution Conf. • CoP=Conference of the Parties • SC=Standing Committee • AC=Animals Committee

PC=Plants Committee • References cited available upon request

Prop. 1

Wood bisonBison bison athabascae

Canada

Delete from Appendix II

Prop. 2

Western tur Capra caucasica

EU and Georgia

Inclusion in Appendix II with a zero quota for wild-taken C. c. caucasica exported for commercial purposes or as hunting trophies

• Distribution: Canada, USA.

• Population: Bison bison, Near Threatened (IUCN 2008); Canada: 5,213-7,191 mature individuals in nine herds, 60% in one herd; other eight herds have <500 individuals each. USA (Alaska): 130 individuals in one herd. 95.7% historical decline of 168,000 in 1800 to 250 in 1900.

• Threats: Disease; severe winters.

• Trade: Exports from Canada include live wild specimens to Russia and USA to establish/reestablish populations (60) and sport-hunted trophies (16) over past five years.

• Distribution: Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation.

• Population: Two subspecies: C. c. caucasica, Endangered (IUCN 2008, as C. caucasica), past decline of >50% over past 21 years (three generations) due to overharvesting; decline continuing; population 5,000 individuals; C. c. cylindricornis, Near Threatened (IUCN 2008, as C. cylindricornis), population 39,000-40,000 individuals, population declined by >30% from late 1970’s to late 1980’s, continuing decline.

• Threats: Primary threat poaching; competition with livestock, habitat loss.

• Trade: Traded as trophies, horns; Russian hunts, including for C. c. cauca-sica,1 advertised in USA and Russia for US$10,000-12,500; hunting illegal in Georgia; 2005-2014, USA imports include 129 wild-sourced C. c. caucasica trophies (over 99% from Russian Federation) and 230 C. c. cylindricornis trophies (from Azerbaijan (180) and the Russian Federation (23)).2

OPPOSE

• Small population and subpopulation sizes, historic decline of 95.7%, geographic concentration of populations into only ten herds (all but one with very small population sizes), high vulnerability to extrinsic fac-tors (disease and severe weather) qualify this subspecies for listing on Appendix I.

• The subspecies is known to be in trade, which may be having a detri-mental impact on its status.

� Meets criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 2a: small populations and subpopulations significant historic population decline internationally traded trade may have detrimental impact

SUPPORT

• Vulnerable to overexploitation due to low productivity (males mature at 4 or 5 years, females at 3 years; gestation 165-175 days; usually a single kid; many females barren in any given year; mortality of offspring is 50% in the first year).

• Zero quota for wild populations of C.c. caucasica needed to ensure that international trade does not further threaten the survival of this Endangered subspecies.

� Meets criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 2 (a), paragraph B): marked past and ongoing popula-tion declines • international trade in trophies may threaten wild populations


2 SPECIES/PROPONENT/PROPOSAL CURRENT STATUS OF SPECIES SSN VIEW

Prop. 3

VicuñaVicugna vicugna

Peru

Amend annotations #1-5 to require additional marking of handicrafts and re-exports

Prop. 4

LionPanthera leo

Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria and Togo

Transfer all African populations from Appendix II to I

• Distribution: Argentina; Bolivia, Chile; Peru, Ecuador (introduced).

• Population: Least Concern (2008).

• Threats: Poaching, livestock grazing.

• Trade: 2008-2014 exports from range States included ~31,964 kg fiber and 44768 kg hair; annotations #1-5 currently require range States to mark exports from Appendix II populations with the logotype ‘VICUÑA [country of origin]’; proposal would add additional marking requirements:

• Handicraft products must be marked ‘VICUÑA [country of origin] – HANDICRAFT’;

• For processing outside the country of origin, an additional tag must include the name of the processing country. If such products contain wool from several countries of origin, the mark must state the percentage of fiber from each.

• Distribution: Extant in 24 African countries, possibly extinct in 7, extinct in 15; occupies only 8% of historic range.

• Population: Vulnerable (IUCN 2015) except P. leo persica in India (Endangered; CITES Appendix I), and the West African population (Critically Endangered); over most of its range meets IUCN criteria for Endangered: species has experienced a 60% decrease in three generations (excluding populations of India, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe); African population estimated at 18,726-31,394, has been reduced by ≈ 43% over past 21 years; populations in West, Central and East Africa projected to decline by 50% in next two decades.

• Threats: Indiscriminate killing; prey base depletion; habitat loss; unsus-tainable trophy hunting; and international trade in lion products (e.g. bones).

• Trade: International trade 2005-2014: 29,214 items; 11,164 of these from wild sources; top exporters are South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana; wild-source exports for hunting trophy (4,387), and com-mercial purposes (1,701); 7,979 lion skeletal parts (e.g., bones, skeletons) exported of which 1,468 were wild-source; this trade is increasing.

SUPPORT

• Addresses issues identified as problematic at 2015 meeting of the Vicuña Convention, which recognized need to improve traceability of fibers/hair after export from country of origin and to clarify marking requirements for handicrafts.

• New marking requirements for processing countries will help to ensure that trafficked fiber/hair from poached vicuña is not laun-dered into legal international trade.

• Over 5,000 vicuña have been illegally killed for their wool over the past eight years.3

SUPPORT

• An Appendix I listing for all lion populations will prevent international trade from becoming a more serious threat, increase scrutiny of inter-national trade for trophy hunting, facilitate enforcement efforts, and bring international focus to the plight of the species.

• Continental Appendix I listing is needed; specimens from different popu-lations not easily distinguished in trade; split-listing would cause sig-nificant enforcement problems and be detrimental to conservation and enforcement initiatives in countries of greatest threat.

• Proposal supported by 18 countries at a regional CITES meeting in Dakar, Senegal, March 2016.4

� Meets criteria for Appendix I (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 1, C) i) and ii) marked observed ongoing and projected decline in population size in the wild small and declining size of national populations and subpopulations across much of range affected by international trade that is or may be detrimental



Prop. 5

Florida pantherPuma concolor coryi

Eastern cougarPuma concolor couguar

Canada

Transfer from Appendix I to II

Prop. 6

Cape mountain zebraEquus zebra zebra

South Africa


OPPOSE

• Wild populations are very small (P. c. coryi) and can be inferred to be very small and nearly extinct in the case of P. c. couguar.

• Significant historic population declines have been observed for both subspecies.

• P. c. coryi extirpated from 95% of historic distribution; verified signs of cougars in range of P. c. couguar are rare, meaning it has been extir-pated from most of historic range.

• USA and Canada exported 1,863 P. concolor for hunting trophy purposes 2005-2014. Given high level of trade in Appendix-II listed P. concolor, there is potential international demand for these subspecies that could threaten their survival.

� Meet criteria for Appendix I (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 1, A) i) and ii): very small wild populations significant his-toric population declines significant range declines may be threatened by international trade

OPPOSE

• Proposal states that Appendix II would allow trophy hunting and thereby provide incentives to landowners to maintain herds, thus expanding the population. However, South Africa is already exporting trophies of the species so this is not a good rationale for transferring the species to Appendix II.

� Meets criteria for Appendix I (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 1, A) i) and ii): small wild population and very small subpopu-lations significant historic population decline vulnerability to intrinsic (low genetic diversity, low reproductive rate) and extrinsic (disease) factors traded internationally trade may be detrimental

• Distribution: USA, Canada.

• Population: Puma concolor, Near Threatened (IUCN 2015); P. concolor coryi, 100-160 individuals (single isolated population), occupies only 5% of historic range, in Florida, USA; although some consider P. c. couguar extinct, researchers recently detected cougars within the range of the subspecies.5

• Threats: P. concolor coryi: habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, vehicle collisions; P. c. couguar: habitat loss, degra-dation and fragmentation.

• Trade: Very little recent international trade in either subspecies; trade only for scientific purposes.

• Distribution: South Africa.

• Population: Vulnerable (IUCN 2008); total population 4,791 in 75 sub-populations; 48% of subpopulations have <100 individuals; two largest sub-populations have 769 and 777 individuals; low reproductive rate.

• Threats: Loss of genetic diversity; uncontrolled hunting reduced popu-lation to only 80 in 1950s resulting in low genetic variation and risk of inbreeding depression, which may have led to susceptibility to infection by Equine sarcoidosis, found in 2006 to infect 22% and 53% of populations in Gariep Nature Reserve and the Bontebok National Park, respectively.

• Trade: 2010-2014: 11 skins and 5 trophies exported for hunting trophy purposes.


Prop. 7

Southern white rhinocerosCeratotherium simum simum

Swaziland

Amend the annotation to the Appendix II listing of Swaziland’s Southern white rhinoceros population, so as to permit a limited and regulated trade in white rhino horn collected from natural deaths, recovered from poached Swazi rhino, and harvested from live white rhino in future

Props. 8 and 9

Indian pangolinManis crassicaudata

Bangladesh (Prop. 8)India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and USA (Prop. 9)

Transfer from Appendix II to I

OPPOSE

• The proposal risks encouraging rhino horn consumption, undermining international and domestic bans on rhino horn trade (including in major consumer countries) and complicating enforcement.

• Legal trade would provide a route for laundering illegal horn from all rhino range States into trade through Swaziland.

• Aside from earning revenues, the proposal gives no evidence of any expected positive impact on rhinoceros conservation.

• The proposal provides no detail on how legal trade would operate, who trading partners would be, how retailers would be licensed, or how ille-gally obtained horn would be prevented from being laundered into the legal trade.

• Swaziland remains in Category 3 of CITES National Legislation Project and may not have adequate legislation to successfully manage the pro-posed trade.

SUPPORT

• Pangolins are the “most heavily trafficked wild mammal in the world.”6

• Despite zero export quota, Asian pangolins are in a “precipitous decline” due to unsustainably high poaching and illegal trade, primarily to satisfy demand in China.

• Since identifying specimens (e.g. scales) to species level can be dif-ficult, listing all pangolin species in Appendix I would greatly facilitate law enforcement efforts.

• Pangolins are vulnerable to over-exploitation due to their low reproduc-tive output, and they are easily caught.

• Species commercially extinct in China by c.1995, with Chinese demand for pangolin products subsequently being met through imports of this and other species.7

• Participants at the First Pangolin Range States meeting in Viet Nam in 2015, agreed that all pangolin species qualify for Appendix I.8

� Meets criteria for Appendix I (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16) Annex 1, paragraphs C i) and ii)): Marked ongoing and projected decline in wild population size high vulnerability to intrinsic (low reproductive output, low density, specialized niche require-ments) and extrinsic (habitat loss and degradation) factors

• Distribution: Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe; proposal for Swaziland popu-lation only.

• Population: Near Threatened (IUCN 2011); global population 20,165 in 2010 (IUCN/SSC AfRSG), >93% in South Africa; Swaziland’s population 73 animals.

• Threats: Principal threat poaching for horn; total number poached since 2008 almost 6,000; three poached in Swaziland in the past 24 years (two in 2011, and one in 2014).

• Trade: From 2010-2014, 676 southern white rhinos exported live (3 from Swaziland); 610 trophies exported. All populations on Appendix I except in South Africa and Swaziland (listed on Appendix II “For the exclusive purpose of allowing international trade in live animals to appropriate and acceptable destinations and hunting trophies”).

• Distribution: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China. Extirpated or in low numbers in Bangladesh and China.

• Population: Endangered (IUCN 2014); populations decreasing; projected decline at least 50% in 21 years / 3 generations; near-extirpation of other Asian pangolin species and ongoing demand believed to be causing a sig-nificant decline due to poaching in India, Pakistan, and Nepal. In Potohar region of Pakistan, density declined by 79% from 2010 to 2012 due to illegal hunting; very low reproductive output (one young/year).

• Threats: Poaching for illegal international trade and local use; secondary threat from habitat loss and deterioration.

• Trade: Pangolin scales in high demand for use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), mainly in China; meat considered a luxury product; scales and whole (live and frozen) animals often seized in international trade; zero export quota for Asian pangolin species since 2000 ineffective; increasing number of M. crassicaudata in seizures; illegal trade primarily from India, Nepal, and Pakistan generally destined for China.



Prop. 10

Philippine pangolinManis culionensis

Philippines and USA


Prop. 11

Sunda pangolin Manis javanica

Chinese pangolinM. pentadactyla

SUPPORT


• Despite zero export quota, Asian pangolins are in a “precipitous decline” due to unsustainably high poaching and illegal trade primarily to satisfy demand in China.



• Participants at the First Pangolin Range States meeting in Viet Nam, agreed that all pangolin species qualify for Appendix I.10

� Meets criteria for Appendix I (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16) Annex 1, paragraphs B iii), iv) and C i) and ii)): restricted area of distribution high vulnerability to intrinsic (low reproduc-tive output, low density, specialized niche requirements) and extrinsic (habitat loss and degradation) factors observed, inferred, or projected decrease in area and quality of habi-tat due to deforestation and decrease in numbers due to overharvest for local and international trade ongoing and projected marked decline in size of wild population decline due in part to international trade

SUPPORT


• Despite zero export quota, Asian pangolin populations are in a “pre-cipitous decline” due to unsustainably high poaching and illegal trade primarily to satisfy demand in China (e.g. five tons of frozen pangolins destined for China seized in Indonesia in 201512).



• Both species commercially extinct in China by c.1995; Chinese demand subsequently being met by imports.13

• Both species increasingly rare, largely due to ongoing legal and illegal trade in bodies, parts, and derivatives.

• Distribution: Philippines (endemic to Palawan); restricted distribution.

• Population: Endangered (IUCN 2014); population declining; projected decrease ≥50% in next 21 years (three generations); classified as Critically Endangered in Palawan by Palawan Council for Sustainable Development; very low reproductive output (one young/year).

• Threats: Local use for meat and scales, illegal international trade, and habitat loss; only 11% of forested land remains.

• Trade: Pangolin scales in high demand for use in TCM, mainly in China; meat considered a luxury product; zero export quota for Asian pangolin spe-cies since 2000 ineffective; prior to 2007 M. culionensis not recognized as a distinct species, trade recorded as M. javanica; nationally protected since 1994 yet substantial illegal trade continues; estimated 996 M. culionensis traded illegally 2000-2013; poached Palawan pangolins shipped to Malaysia and on to China; seizures increased from 47 animals from 1999-2009 to 369 animals 2010-2012.

• Distribution: M. javanica: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam; M. pentadactyla: Bhutan, China, India, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Viet Nam.

• Population: Both species Critically Endangered (IUCN 2014); declining throughout range; M. javanica: ≤80% decline over past 21 years (3 genera-tions); ≥80% decline projected over next 3 generations; severe to massive declines throughout range, including reserves; extirpated in some portions of range; M. pentadactyla: projected 90% decline over next 21 years; com-mercially extinct in China since 1995 as a result of exploitation; M. p. pusillac declined 89-94% 1960s to 2004; M. p. pentadactyla has declined dramati-cally or is greatly reduced in Taiwan, Nepal and Viet Nam; populations in most forests in Viet Nam considered extinct; very low reproductive output (one young/year).

• Threats: Primary threats include poaching for illegal international trade and local use (bushmeat); habitat loss and fragmentation.

• Trade: Pangolin scales in high demand for use in TCM, mainly in China;

Continued Continued Continued


USA and Viet Nam


Prop. 12

Black-bellied pangolinManis tetradactylaWhite-bellied pangolinM. tricuspisGiant ground pangolinM. giganteaTemminck's ground pangolinM. temminckii

Angola, Botswana, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Togo and USA


• Participants at the First Pangolin Range States meeting in Viet Nam in 2015, agreed that all pangolin species qualified for Appendix I.14

� Meet criteria for Appendix I (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16) Annex 1, paragraphs C i) and ii)): Marked ongoing and projected decline in wild population size decline due to international trade high vulnerability to intrinsic (low reproductive out-put, low density, specialized niche requirements) and extrin-sic (habitat loss and degradation) factors decrease in area or quality of habitat

SUPPORT


• Depletion of Asian pangolins was followed by escalated poaching and illegal trade in African pangolins (e.g., total of 8 tons of scales and skins seized en route from Congo, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda January-June 2015, several seizures in excess of 500kg).16

• Current IUCN designation “may need to be revised” due to increasing local and escalating international demand.17

• Surveys of hunters and market traders in Africa indicate that popula-tions have been declining for decades; decline expected to continue given current trends.18



• Participants at the First Pangolin Range States meeting in Viet Nam in 2015 agreed that all pangolin species qualified for Appendix I.19

� Meet criteria for Appendix I (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16) Annex 1, paragraphs C i) and ii)): Marked ongoing and projected decline in wild population size decline in part due to inter-national trade high vulnerability to intrinsic (low reproduc-tive output, low density, specialized niche requirements) and extrinsic (habitat loss and degradation) factors

meat considered a luxury product; scales and whole (live and frozen) ani-mals often seized in international trade; estimated 576,303 Asian pangolins (primarily M. javanica and M. pentadactyla) in international trade 1977-2012 (CITES trade records); zero export quota for Asian pangolin species since 2000 ineffective; 2.8 tonnes of wild-sourced, M. javanica scales exported from Singapore to China 2009-2012; substantial illegal trade in scales, meat, live and dead pangolins since 2000; ~264,736 pangolins illegally traded in Asia July 2000-2015 including at least 215,146 M. javanica and M. pentadactyla.

• Distribution: Africa: M. tetradactyla (11 countries); (22 countries; M. gigantea (17 countries; extinct Rwanda); M. temminckii (14 countries; pos-sibly extinct Swaziland).

• Population: All four species are Vulnerable (IUCN 2014), populations decreasing in part due to increased international trade; M. tetradactyla pro-jected to decline by at least 30-40% over 21 years (7 years past, 14 years future; generation length ~7 years); M. tricuspis by at least 40% over 21 years (7 years past, 14 years future); M. gigantea by at least 40% over 27 years (9 years past, 18 years future); M. temminckii 30-40% over 27 years (9 years past, 18 years future; generation length ~9 years); very low repro-ductive output (one young/year).

• Threats: Primary threats: heavy harvest for bushmeat, traditional medi-cine, and increasingly for international trade; takes for domestic use are already substantial and unsustainable; nine-fold increase in hunting of M. tricuspis from 2005-2014 alone; secondary threat from deforestation.

• Trade: Skins, meat, and scales traded internationally, both legally and illegally; pangolin scales in high demand for use in TCM, mainly in China; meat considered a luxury product; from 2000-2014 approximately 1,160 live specimens, 4,333 kg of scales, 122 loose scales, and 704 skins in legal trade; exports of wild-source scales from Uganda (3,198 kg) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (750 kg) to China in 2014; export of ‘ranched’ specimens though no ranching operations known; majority of pangolin seizures in the EU 2012-2013 involved African species, with 85% illegally exported from West and Central Africa.




Prop. 13

Barbary Macaque Macaca sylvanus

EU and Morocco


Prop. 14

African elephantLoxodonta africana

Namibia

Delete the annotation to the listing of the Namibia’s African elephant population in Appendix II by deleting any reference to Namibia in that annotation

• Distribution: Algeria, Morocco; Tunisia (regionally extinct); Gibraltar (UK) (introduced); isolated populations limited to fragmented areas of the Rif and the Middle and High Atlas Mountains in Morocco and the Grande and Petite Kabylie mountain region of Algeria.

• Population: Endangered (IUCN 2008); past decline >50% over past 24 years (three generations), decline ongoing, 6,500-9,100 remaining; popula-tion severely fragmented; in central Middle Atlas, the global stronghold of the species, average population density has declined by 50-80% over last 30 years.

• Threats: Habitat loss; takes for the international pet trade and use as tourist photo props; Middle Atlas population predicted to disappear within 15 - 20 years at current rate of habitat loss combined with excessive illegal capture of infants.

• Trade: Protected in Morocco and Algeria; significant illegal trade.

• Distribution: Proposal for Namibia population only; see Prop. 16 for gen-eral information on L. africana.

• Population: Proposal provides estimate of 22,711 elephants in Namibia.

• Threats: For L. africana generally, poaching for ivory trade and habitat loss.

• Trade: Namibia gross exports 2008-2014 include 32 live animals, 690 tusks, 11,255 kg tusks, 387 trophies.

SUPPORT

• An estimated 200 animals illegally taken from the wild annually in Morocco, mostly for European pet markets and for photo props.20,21

• Animals offered for 2,000 € and more in the EU.22

• 72 seizures reported by EU authorities in EU-TWIX database (1997-2013); most seized CITES mammal in the EU, accounting for 25% of live mammal seizures.

• Recent records of illegal trade, e.g. in Serbia,23 Russia and Ukraine,24 indicate the rise of new markets for this species.

• Records of 545 requests for placement of seized or surrendered Barbary macaques received 2001-2015, mostly in France, Belgium and Spain.25

� Meets criteria for Appendix I (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 1, paragraph C i)): marked past population decline that is ongo-ing • population severely fragmented • illegal international trade having a detrimental impact on species’ status

OPPOSE

• Proposal would delete reference to Namibia in annotation, removing all CITES restrictions on regular, commercial international trade in both government-owned and privately-held ivory from Namibia at a time when wild African elephant populations are experiencing unprecedented levels of poaching.

• The deletion would also remove all CITES restrictions on international commercial trade in live elephants from Namibia, which is currently governed by RC 11.20 on Definition of the term ‘appropriate and accept-able destinations’.

• Since 2011, 230 elephants have been reported poached in Namibia, including 37 killed since the beginning of 2016.26


• Distribution: Proposal for Zimbabwe population only; see Prop. 16 for general information on L. africana.

• Population: Proposal provides estimate of 84,512 elephants in Zimbabwe; from 2001-2014, total Zimbabwean population declined by some 7%;27 surveys in 2014 showed a 40-75% decline since 2001 in key northern elephant populations in Zimbabwe.28

• Threats: For L. africana generally, poaching for ivory trade and habitat loss.

• Trade: Zimbabwe gross exports 2008-2014 include 2,320 trophies, 31 live, 2,282 tusks and 39,069 kg tusks.

• Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa (38 range States)

• Population: Vulnerable (IUCN 2008); declining overall.30

• Threats: Poaching for ivory poses an immediate threat;31 habitat destruction.

• Trade: Wild-source legal exports from range States 2008-2014 included 7,551 trophies, 15,876 tusks, 161,407 kg tusks, 113 live; in 2011 alone, illegal hunters killed 40,000 elephants; 100,000 elephants were killed in Africa for their ivory between 2010 and 2012; poaching rates overall remain higher than the normal growth rate of elephant populations; most illegal ivory is destined for China; Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS) data show a significant increase of ivory seizures since 2008.

OPPOSE

• Deletion of Zimbabwe from the annotation would remove all CITES restrictions on regular, commercial international trade in both govern-ment-owned and privately-held ivory from Zimbabwe at a time when wild African elephant populations are experiencing unprecedented lev-els of poaching.

• The deletion would also remove all CITES restrictions on international commercial trade in live elephants from Zimbabwe, which is currently governed by RC 11.20.

• News reports have alleged there have been thefts from government ivory stocks and irregularities with respect to registration and export permits for ivory.29

SUPPORT

• This proposal, if adopted, will unequivocally prohibit international com-mercial trade in African elephant ivory, simplify enforcement, and send a clear message to the world reflecting global determination to halt the potential extinction of the African elephant.

• Proposal is backed by the overwhelming majority of African ele-phant range States; in 2015 27 African States agreed in the Cotonou Declaration to “Propose and support the listing of all African elephant populations on Appendix I” .32

• The “9-year moratorium” on ivory trade (i.e. annotation to populations listed in Appendix II) will end in 2017.

� Meets criteria for Appendix I (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 1, paragraph C i) and ii)): marked decline in the population size in the wild and projected to continue • present in interna-tional trade

Prop. 15


Namibia and Zimbabwe

Delete the annotation to the listing of Zimbabwe’s African elephant population in Appendix II

Prop. 16


Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sri Lanka and Uganda Inclusion of all populations in Appendix I through the transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I of the populations of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe



• Distribution: North, Central and South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia (over 200 countries and territories).

• Population: Least Concern (IUCN 2015); population stable.

• Threats: Pesticides in the past; impacts of takes for falconry are unknown.

• Trade: Highly valued in trade for falconry purposes; from 2010 to 2014, 2,759 live peregrine falcons were exported; of these, 85% recorded as captive-bred; reports of illegal trade from Russia,33,34 Iraq,35 Spain36, UK37 and Chile38 in 2015-16 (with almost all specimens destined for the Middle East); news reports state that international market in wild fal-cons in Pakistan is thriving;39 proposal states that Iran, Netherlands, and Pakistan expressed concern about effectiveness of existing legislation in addressing illegal trade.

• Distribution: Australia.

• Population: L. melanops Least Concern (IUCN 2012), not CITES-listed; L. m. cassidix not assessed by IUCN; Australia classifies subspecies as Critically Endangered; fewer than 100 mature individuals remain.

• Threats: Small population size; demographic uncertainty; limited distribution.

• Trade: Three exports (eggs, carcasses) from 2003-2012 for scientific purposes.

OPPOSE

• Proposal does not contain sufficient independent information on appro-priate enforcement controls, as required by precautionary measures in RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 4, but merely relies on self-reporting by 21 ‘key traders’.

• Some wild specimens are highly valued in falconry; specimens of the rare color morph “kreyenborgi” are worth US$113,000 each on the black market.40

• Contains limited evidence on status and trends outside North America and Europe.

• Continuing illegal trade in wild peregrines illustrates that necessary precautionary measures are not in place in some countries.

SUPPORT

• The species is protected in Australia and there is no demand for the species in trade.

• Proposal is a result of Periodic Review.

Prop. 17

Peregrine falconFalco peregrinus

Canada


Prop. 18

Helmeted honeyeaterLichenostomus melanops cassidix

Australia



• Distribution: 21 range States in Africa.

• Population: Vulnerable (IUCN 2013); population decreasing; past declines conservatively estimated 30-49% in three generations (47 years); declines >50% over three generations in multiple range States; extremely rare or locally extinct in Benin, Burundi, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Togo.

• Threats: Primary threat is trapping for international trade; congregating behavior makes species vulnerable to overharvest; high rates of habitat loss.

• Trade: Since 1975, gross exports of over 1.3 million wild live birds; total number of birds removed from the wild much higher as studies docu-ment pre-export mortality of up to 70%-90%; history of illegal, cross-border movements of specimens from non-exporting range States into exporting countries; significant illegal trade with fraudulent CITES per-mits, smuggling, and laundering as captive-bred.

• Distribution: Australia.

• Population: N. novaeseelandiae, Least Concern (IUCN 2014), not CITES-listed; N. n. undulata not assessed by IUCN; Australia classifies subspecies as Endangered; genetically pure N. n. undulata are now believed to be extinct.

• Threats: Habitat loss.

• Trade: No trade recorded.

SUPPORT

• One of the most heavily-traded of all CITES-listed birds.

• Massive trapping heavily implicated in declines in at least 12 range states.

• K-selected life history; species is long-lived with a low reproductive rate, making it vulnerable to over-collection.

• Included in Review of Significant Trade process four times (1988, 1992, 2006, 2014) in response to poor implementation; continuously exceeded quotas, with shifts in exporting countries, demonstrate that Appendix II is not working for this species and that stricter regulation is necessary.

• SC66 adopted a trade suspension in this species for DRC in response to exceeded export quotas and serious irregularities.

� Meets criteria for Appendix I (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 1 paragraph C (i) and (ii)): marked past and ongoing population decline • decline because of exploitation levels and forest loss • high levels of international trade

SUPPORT

• The species is protected in Australia and there is no demand for the species in trade.

• Proposal is a result of Periodic Review.

Prop. 19

African grey parrotPsittacus erithacus

Angola, Chad, EU, Gabon, Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and USA Transfer from Appendix II to I

Prop. 20

Norfolk Island boobook owlNinox novaeseelandiae undulata

Australia


11w w w . s s n . o r g


• Distribution: C. acutus, 29 countries in North, Central, and South America from USA to Peru.

• Population: C. acutus, Vulnerable (IUCN 2012); Critically Endangered in Colombia;41 Cispata Bay: 2015 survey counted ~50 adults; population estimated at 800-2,356, mostly sub-adults.

• Threats: C. acutus, habitat degradation and loss, accidental drowning in fishing nets42 and illegal hunting.

• Trade: 2008-2015, 10,343 skins exported from seven registered cap-tive-breeding centers; wild population protected from take since 1965.

• Distribution: C. moreletii, Belize, Guatemala, Mexico.

• Population: C. moreletii, Least Concern (IUCN 2012).

• Threats: C. moreletii, illegal hunting.

• Trade: Exports from Mexico 2005-2015 included a total of 23,857 speci-mens from captive-bred sources: 15,699 small leather products; 7,708 skins; and 243 live animals.

OPPOSE

• Adult population very small due to past over-exploitation; trends unclear.

• Split-listing within country hampers enforcement; RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP15), Annex 3, states split-listing should generally occur on basis of national/regional populations.

• RC 11.16 (Rev. CoP15) requires that, for transfer to Appendix II, population must be deemed by CoP “to be no longer endangered”. Colombia’s population is Critically Endangered, depleted, with only limited recovery possible due to habitat loss.

OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED

• CITES should continue to restrict trade in specimens of this species taken directly from the wild. Noting that Mexico is seeking to export ranched specimens only as part of a pilot project, SSN recommends that Mexico amend its proposal in order to retain the annotation, but with modified wording as follows: “zero quota for wild specimens, except ranched specimens, traded for commercial purposes”.

Prop. 21

American crocodileCrocodylus acutus

Colombia

Transfer of the population of Cispatá Bay Mangroves Integrated Management District, Tinajones, La Balsa and Adjacent Areas, Cordoba, Colombia, from Appendix I to Appendix II in accordance with RC 11.16 (Rev. CoP15) on Ranching and trade in ranched specimens

Prop. 22

Morelet's crocodileCrocodylus moreletii

Mexico

Delete “zero quota for wild specimens traded for commercial purposes” from the Appendix-II listing of Mexico’s population


• Distribution: C. niloticus, 43 range States in Africa.

• Population: C. niloticus, Lower Risk/least concern (IUCN 1996); Madagascar, 30,000 to 40,000 non-hatchlings; adult population is thought to be 1,500 to 2,000 individuals.

• Threats: C. niloticus, habitat loss, human-crocodile conflict, pollution, dam building, uncontrolled hunting.

• Trade: Significant trade in small leather products from captive–bred and ranched sources; 2008-2011, export of 4,664 skins as C and 1,934 as R; SC-mandated trade suspension on C. niloticus specimens from 2010-2014 in response to lack of compliance with RC 11.16; proposal will potentially allow the artisanal leather industry to expand into interna-tional markets.

• Distribution: C. porosus, 17 range States (possibly extinct in 2).

• Population: C. porosus, Lower Risk/least concern (IUCN 1996); Sarawak population ~12,000; 8.9% (1,068) are adults; little known about Peninsular Malaysia population; Sabah population currently being surveyed.

• Threats: C. porosus, habitat destruction, pollution, past uncontrolled and illegal hunting, human-crocodile conflict.

• Trade: Seven registered captive-breeding centers in Malaysia; exports 2008-2014, 9,608 skins and 4,983 kg meat; proposed harvest will be experimental, restricted for the first 3 years to ≤500 non-hatchlings per year and <2,500 eggs, or their equivalent in hatchlings.

OPPOSE

• Madagascar’s population is on Appendix II with an annotation subject to an annual export quota of no more than 1,600 wild specimens including hunting trophies, in addition to ranched specimens.

• The SC has repeatedly expressed serious concerns about Madagascar’s management of crocodile exports. Not enough time has passed since the suspension was lifted in December 2014 to assess if Madagascar will be able to comply with CITES requirements under the existing listing.

• The quota proposed in the annotation is limited to 3 years; thereafter no quota would apply. This could be detrimental to the species.

OPPOSE

• In order to transfer its entire population to Appendix II under RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Malaysia must demonstrate that it no longer meets Appendix I criteria country-wide; however, proposal provides detailed, recent information for Sarawak only; trends unclear.

• Small adult population in Sarawak means species continues to meet criteria for Appendix I; in addition, the population is threatened by intrinsic factors (i.e. only 1% of hatchlings survive to maturity).

Prop. 23

Nile crocodileCrocodylus niloticus

Madagascar

Maintain population of Madagascar in Appendix II with annotations: providing size restrictions on takes/exported skins; take quota of 3,000 for artisanal industry for first 3 years; no export of raw or processed skins from the wild for first 3 years; farm production restricted to captive-bred and ranched specimens; program reviewed by international experts for first 3 years

Prop. 24

Salt-water crocodileCrocodylus porosus

Malaysia

Transfer population of Malaysia from Appendix I to Appendix II, with wild harvest restricted to the State of Sarawak and a zero quota for wild specimens for the other States of Malaysia

13w w w . s s n . o r g


• Distribution: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras. Eight of ten species in this proposal are endemic to Guatemala; A. salvadorensis endemic to Honduras; A. montecristoi endemic to El Salvador and Honduras; occupied range of A. anzuetoi ~24 km²; of A. campbelli 18 km² at one location; of A. frosti 0.7 km²; A. fimbriata in <5 locations; A. meledona in one location (IUCN 2014).

• Population: Proposal addresses 10 of 29 Abronia spp; Critically Endangered (2 species); Endangered (5 species); Vulnerable (2 species); populations of five species declining.

• Threats: Pet trade; habitat destruction and degradation.

• Trade: Almost all specimens in trade are wild-caught; hunters prefer gravid females to claim captive-born offspring as “captive-bred”; sev-eral species difficult to distinguish in trade; prices for A. fimbriata and A. gaiophantasma reach 2,800 €/pair at German reptile trade shows, 3,000 €/pair of A. campbelli in Sweden and US$2,000 each in USA.

• Distribution: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador.

• Population: Proposal addresses all 29 Abronia spp.; Critically Endangered (2 species); Endangered (12 species); Vulnerable (5 species), Least Concern (2 species); Data Deficient (7 species) (IUCN 2016). Some species known from single or few specimens (e.g. A. bogerti, A. ramirezi, A. reidi); populations of at least 13 of the 29 Abronia spp. in decline.

• Threats: Pet trade; habitat destruction and degradation.

• Trade: At least 14 species documented in live trade; EU main destination (up to 1,500 € each), also sold in Japan and USA;43 protected in all range States; almost all specimens in trade wild-caught at a rate that exceeds

SUPPORT

• Conflict with Prop. 26 (Mexico and EU) to list entire genus in Appendix II. Parties should ensure that the order of debate allows consideration of Appendix I for A. anzuetoi, A. campbelli, A. fimbriata, A. frosti and A. meledona; and a proposed zero quota for A. aurita, A. gaiophatasma, A. montecristoi, A salvadoriensis and A. vasconcelosii.

• These ten species fully protected in range States; listings and proposed annotations would support these national measures and ensure that captive-bred specimens from illegally-acquired founder stock do not enter trade.

• Specimens of Guatemalan species (campbelli, fimbriata, frosti, gaio-phantasma, and vasconcelosii) offered in international pet trade since 2012.

• Abronia species have low reproductive rates and limited distribution, making them vulnerable to over-exploitation.

� Meet criteria for Appendix I (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 1, paragraphs A i), ii), iii) and v) as well as for Appendix II, Annex 2(a), paragraph A): observed, inferred or projected decline in the number of individuals and the area and quality of habitat • some species with declining populations • high vulnerability due to low reproductive rate • high demand for international trade; A. vasconcelosii meets Criterion A of Annex 2b for look-alike reasons

SUPPORT

• 25 of 29 Abronia species are endemic to one country (16/18 in Mexico, 8/10 in Guatemala, 1/1 in Honduras).

• Fully protected in range States; listing would support national measures.

• Some species qualify for Appendix I (see Prop. 25).

• Abronia species have low reproductive rates and limited distribution, making them vulnerable to over-exploitation.

• Listing entire genus will avoid difficulties if new species of Abronia are recognized in future.

Prop. 25

Arboreal alligator lizards

Abronia anzuetoi, A. campbelli, A. fimbriata, A. frosti, A. meledona, A. aurita

A. gaiophatasma, A. montecristoi, A salvadoriensis, A. vasconcelosii

Guatemala

Inclusion of Abronia anzuetoi, A. campbelli, A. fimbriata, A. frosti, A. meledona in Appendix I

Inclusion of A. aurita, A. gaiophatasma, A. montecristoi, A salvadoriensis in Appendix II, A. vasconcelosii as look-alike

Annotations proposed for all listings: zero quota for wild specimens; zero quota for specimens produced in captivity outside of range States

Prop.26

Arboreal alligator lizardsAbronia spp.

ContinuedContinued Continued


the low reproductive rate of genus; several species difficult to distinguish in trade.

• Distribution: Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, Uganda, Malawi, Central African Republic, Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia; single-country endemics in Mozambique, Tanzania, Malawi, DRC;44 some have small area of distribution.

• Population: Critically Endangered (four species), Endangered (four species), Vulnerable (three), Least Concern (nine) and Near Threatened (one); experts recommend higher status for three species; one species described in 2015 not assessed; ten of 21 IUCN-assessed species are declining.

• Threats: Capture for pet trade; recently discovered species available in pet trade; habitat destruction and degradation.

• Trade: 1999-2014, USA imported 175,841 African pygmy chameleons as Rhampholeon spp. and Rieppeleon spp., all taken from the wild. At least 12 of 22 species are in trade, with Ri. brevicaudatus, Ri. kerstenii, Rh. spectrum, Rh. viridis, Rh. uluguruensis, and Rh. acuminatus the most common in pet trade.

� Meet criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 2(a), paragraph A • several Abronia species have very small populations and/or very restricted area of distribution • high vulnerability due to low reproductive rate • high demand for international trade • look-alike problem: distinguishable only by experts

SUPPORT

• These are the only chameleons not listed under CITES; Rh. spinosus listed in Appendix II (as Bradypodion spinosum).

• Listing of both Rhampholeon and Rieppeleon needed because species’ nomenclature often confused in trade, and they are difficult to tell apart for non-experts; Rieppeleon specimens are often sold under old taxo-nomic name Rhampholeon.

• Inclusion of entire genera will avoid difficulties if new species are rec-ognized in future.

• Live specimens sold in Europe for 25-300 € each.

� Meet criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), by either Annex 2(a) paragraph B or Annex 2(b), paragraph A): • high demand for international trade which is having a detrimen-tal impact on wild populations • look-alike problem: distin-guishable only by experts

EU and Mexico Inclusion in Appendix II

Props. 27 and 28

African pygmy chameleonsRhampholeon spp. and Rieppeleon spp.

Central African Republic, Chad, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria and USA (Prop. 27)Kenya (Prop. 28)

Inclusion of Rh. spectrum, Rh. temporalis, Rh. viridis, Rh. acuminatus, Rh. uluguruensis, Ri. brevicaudatus, Ri. kerstenii in Appendix II; all other species as look-alikes


15w w w . s s n . o r g


• Distribution: Hon Khoai Island, Viet Nam (area less than 6 km2).

• Population: Not assessed by IUCN; 732 total individuals; low reproduc-tive rate.

• Threats: Illegal collection for pet trade; predators.

• Trade: Illegally-acquired live specimens offered for sale in Russia (3,500 € each) and Europe (2500-3500 €); at German reptile show in 2014, nine pairs of C. psychedelica were sold.45

• Distribution: Tanzania; estimated area of occupancy 8 km².

• Population: Critically Endangered (IUCN 2012); in decline; four known subpopulations severely fragmented; low reproductive output.

• Threats: Over-collection for pet trade, habitat loss.

• Trade: At least 15% of Kimboza Forest population (32,310-42,610 indi-viduals) collected December 2004-July 2009;46 an estimated 1,000/month exported to Germany in 2009;47 as permits not issued, all speci-mens of illegal origin; UK seized 165 specimens March 2015.

SUPPORT

• Sole range State is co-proponent.

• Described in 2010; though confined to restricted military area, species offered in European and USA pet markets.

• Described as “the most beautiful gecko in the world”.

• Pressure on the limited population is very high.

� Meets criteria for Appendix I (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 1, paragraph B i), iii)): occurrence at very few locations • restricted area of distribution • high vulnerability due to low reproductive rate • very small population size • high demand for international trade

SUPPORT


• In demand for striking color of male specimens, diurnal habits and small size.

• Sells for up to 180 € each.48

� Meets criteria for Appendix I (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 1, paragraph B i), iii) and iv)): fragmentation or occurrence at very few locations • an observed, inferred or projected decrease in number of wild individuals and quality of habitat • high vulnerability due to low reproductive rate and as habi-tat specialist • high demand in international trade

Prop. 29

Psychedelic rock geckoCnemaspis psychedelica

EU and Viet Nam Inclusion in Appendix I

Prop. 30

Turquoise dwarf geckoLygodactylus williamsi

EU and Tanzania Inclusion in Appendix I


• Distribution: Madagascar; area of occupancy likely <100 km².49

• Population: Endangered (IUCN 2011); population fragmented and decreasing; very low reproductive rate.50

• Threats: Illegal collection for pet trade;51 habitat loss.

• Trade: Export quota of 10/year, but number of live adult specimens in trade much higher: 2,458 live specimens exported from Madagascar 2000-2005; USA imported 293 wild specimens from Madagascar from 2001-2015; sells for US$600 each.

• Distribution: Family includes one species, Lanthanotus borneensis (ear-less monitor lizard), endemic to Borneo (Malaysia, Indonesia, probably Brunei Darussalem).

• Population: Not assessed by IUCN; species presumed very rare.

• Threats: Habitat destruction and degradation; national and international pet trade.

• Trade: Sudden spike in illegal trade in recent years although fully pro-tected nationally; specimens offered for sale in Japan, Ukraine, France, Germany, Malaysia, Spain, USA and Czech Republic;53 more indi-viduals have been recorded in trade than have been located in wild by researchers;54 prices average US$7,500–15,000/specimen.

SUPPORT


• Regularly sold in international pet trade in much higher numbers than national annual export quota; listing would support national manage-ment efforts.

• One of the most spectacular gecko species in the pet trade;52 advertised as “extremely rare and unique”.

• Likely qualifies for listing on Appendix I.

� Meets criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 2 (a), paragraph B)): observed, inferred or projected decline in number of individuals and area and quality of habitat • limited to isolated forest fragments • restricted area of dis-tribution • high vulnerability due to low reproductive rate • high demand for international trade

SUPPORT

• Nearest relatives (Varanidae, Helodermatidae) all CITES-listed.

• Any specimen outside Borneo has been illegally obtained or bred from illegally-obtained stock.

• Portrayed by reptile enthusiasts as “holy grail” due to its rarity, unique biology and long-time non-availability.

• Seizures in Indonesia include eight specimens in 201555 and 17 in 201656.

� Meets criteria for Appendix I (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 1, paragraphs A i), ii) and v) as well as B i), iii) and iv)): small population with small subpopulations • fragmentation or occurrence at very few locations • an observed, inferred or projected decline in number of individuals or area and qual-ity of habitat • high vulnerability to extrinsic factors • high demand in international trade

Prop. 31

Masobe gecko Paroedura masobe

Madagascar and EU Inclusion in Appendix II

Prop. 32

Earless monitor lizardLanthanotidae

Malaysia Inclusion in Appendix I

17w w w . s s n . o r g


• Distribution: Viet Nam, China.

• Population: Endangered (IUCN 2014); estimated population 1,050; each subpopulation very small; Chinese population declined from ~6,000 in 1978 to ~950 at present.

• Threats: Poaching for international pet trade, TCM and consumption; habitat loss.

• Trade: 2008-2014, 189 captive-bred live specimens traded internation-ally; illegally traded specimens seized in Japan and on Thai/Cambodia border; wild specimens from Viet Nam offered on Internet; specimens of doubtful legal origin regularly sold in Europe, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Thailand.

• Distribution: Kenya.

• Population: Not assessed by IUCN; classified by Kenya as Vulnerable; in decline, two isolated populations known.

• Threats: Illegal collection; habitat loss and degradation.

• Trade: Nationally protected; all specimens in trade illegally sourced; sold for high prices in European pet trade: group of two males and three females (openly offered as wild-caught) were offered by an Austrian citizen for a total of 4,000 €.

Prop. 33

Crocodile lizardShinisaurus crocodilurus

China, EU and Viet Nam Transfer from Appendix II to I

Prop. 34

Ashe’s bush viperAtheris desaixi

Kenya Inclusion in Appendix II

17w w w . s s n . o r g

CURRENT STATUS OF SPECIES

SUPPORT

• Both range States are proponents.

• Appearance and colorful pattern make species desirable in the pet trade; sluggish, easily caught by poachers.

• Gravid females targeted so smugglers can offer captive-born offspring as “captive bred”.

• Only living representative of the family Shinisauridae.

� Meets criteria for Appendix I (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 1, paragraph A i), ii), iv) and v); paragraph B i), iii) and iv) and paragraph C i) and ii)): observed, inferred or projected decline in the number of individuals and the area and quality of habitat • marked decline in the population size in the wild • each sub-population very small • high demand for international trade • high vulnerability to both intrinsic and extrinsic factors • frag-mentation or occurrence at very few locations

SUPPORT

• Sole range State is sponsor of the proposal.

• Fully protected under domestic law but sold in the European pet market for up to 800 €/specimen.

� Meets criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 2 (a), paragraph B): regulation of trade required to ensure that har-vest of wild specimens is not reducing wild population to a level at which its survival might be threatened by continued harvesting or other influences • high demand in international trade


• Distribution: Kenya.

• Population: Not assessed by IUCN; in decline; dispersed and isolated sub-populations.

• Threats: International pet trade; habitat loss and degradation.

• Trade: Nationally protected; subject of many smuggling attempts: in the 1990s, 56 specimens smuggled and sold to destinations in the USA, Canada, Germany and Netherlands;57 in 2013, attempt to smuggle six B. worthingtoni58 to Germany; specimens openly advertised as wild-caught, sold in Europe for about 1000 €/specimen.

• Distribution: Wide distribution: 37 African and Middle Eastern countries; semi- or highly aquatic.

• Population: All not assessed by IUCN or Lower Risk/Near Threatened (IUCN 2016); 2013 workshop59 recommended: C. elegans (Critically Endangered), R. euphraticus (Endangered), C. senegalensis (Vulnerable), C. aubryi (Vulnerable), T. triunguis: (Vulnerable); most populations signifi-cantly reduced in parts of range; vulnerable due to low reproductive rate.

• Threats: International trade for food, medicine, pets; local consumption; habitat degradation and fishery bycatch (T. triunguis).

• Trade: Traded in food and TCM markets in Asia; in 2013, 1,007 dried shells destined for export were seized in Malawi; some species in inter-national pet trade; 1,522 live specimens, 84% wild, exported 1999-2014, mainly from Sudan and Ghana mainly to Egypt and USA; 570 live African soft-shelled turtles (56% T. triunguis, 26% Cyclanorbis spp., and 18% Cycloderma spp.) imported to USA 1999-2014; export of 1,051 (importer reported) or 1522 (exporter reported) live wild caught (84%) T. triunguis from 14 range countries from 1982 to 2010. Sudan (49%) and Ghana (41%) were the major exporters with Egypt (48%) and USA (25%) being the major importers.

Prop. 35

Kenyan horned viperBitis worthingtoni

Kenya

Inclusion in Appendix II

Prop. 36

Nubian flapshell turtleCyclanorbis elegansSenegal flapshell turtleCyclanorbis senegalensisZambesi flapshell turtleCycloderma frenatumAubry’s soft-shelled turtleCycloderma aubryiN9ile soft-shelled turtleTrionyx triungusEuphrates softshell turtleRafetus euphraticus

Burkina Faso, Chad, Gabon, Guinea, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Togo and USA


CURRENT STATUS OF SPECIES

SUPPORT

• Sole range State is sponsor of the proposal.

• Fully protected under domestic law but sought in international pet trade due to eye-catching pattern and live-bearing habits.

• According to Internet discussions, smugglers increasingly targeting B. worthingtoni as easier to keep than A. desaixi (see Prop. 29).

� Meets criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 2 (a), paragraph B): in decline • dispersed and isolated sub-populations • high demand in international trade

SUPPORT

• Approval would mean that all softshell turtles, except the American Apalone (three species) and the heavily farmed P. sinensis, would be listed on the Appendices.

• Demand for softshell turtles for food and medicine is huge and unselec-tive: from1999-2008, 290 metric tonnes imported by Taiwan alone.60 Market is shifting to African species, as Asian softshell turtle species are in decline and increasingly protected.

• While the food/medicine market in Asia is the main destination, C. aubryi, C. elegans, C. senegalensis and T. triunguis also are exported for pets to Europe, North America, Hong Kong; live T. triungus sell for 300 € each, Cycloderma spp. for 420 €; C. senegalensis for up to 550 €.

• Species protected in many range States; Appendix II listing would sup-port these measures.

� Meet criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 2(a) paragraph B): high vulnerability due to low reproductive rate • high demand for international trade

19w w w . s s n . o r g


• Distribution: Madagascar.

• Population: Near Threatened (IUCN 2008); surveys suggest a common but declining population in some areas.

• Threats: Pollution; chytrid fungus (Bd) and ranavirus; unrestricted col-lection could harm populations.

• Trade: Found in illegal trade; found in markets in Thailand61 and seized in Malaysia;62 proposal states that Appendix II export quotas would be kept low.

• Distribution: Madagascar.

• Population: Both species Least Concern (IUCN 2008).

• Threats: Habitat loss; chrytrid fungus (Bd) and ranavirus; potentially unsustainable collection for the pet trade.

• Trade: From 2012-2015 Madagascar exported 2,852 D. gunieti and 982 D. insularis to Canada, EU, Hong Kong, Japan, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, and USA; from 2012-2014 USA imported 1,919 D. guineti and 1,178 D. insularis; D. guineti has been found in illegal trade.

Prop. 37

Tomato frogDyscophus antongilii

Madagascar


Prop. 38

False tomato frogDyscophus guineti

Antsouhy tomato frogD. insularis

Madagascar


OPPOSE

• The proposal:

• relies on population data that are 8-10 years old;

• reports population decline in best known locality for the species; and

• does not report on management measures or plans to monitor the status of the species if transferred to Appendix II.

SUPPORT

• These species, especially D. guineti, are popular in the international pet trade, and are sold in large numbers.

• Trade increased significantly in 2015, may be unsustainable; listing jus-tified on precautionary basis.

• Proposal covers all unlisted species of Dyscophus (tomato frogs).

� Meet criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Criterion A of Annex 2a): • traded internationally • CITES regula-tion may be needed to avoid qualifying for Appendix I in near future • confused in trade with D.antongilii


• Distribution: Madagascar; S. marmorata, fragmented distribution.

• Population: S. marmorata, Vulnerable (IUCN 2008), decreasing popu-lation; extent of occurrence <20,000 km2, distribution severely frag-mented, continuing decline in extent and quality of habitat; S. boribory, Endangered (IUCN 2008), decreasing population <five locations; extent of occurrence <5,000 km2, continuing decline in extent and quality of habitat and in number of mature individuals; S. spinosa, Least Concern (IUCN 2008).

• Threats: Habitat loss; chytrid fungus (Bd) and ranavirus; potentially unsustainable harvest for international pet trade.

• Trade: Legally traded live for international pet trade; from 2012-2015, 40 S. boribory exported to Japan, 245 S. marmorata exported to France, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan and USA, and 180 S. spinosa exported to EU and USA; and USA imported 697 S. marmorata and 202 Scaphiophryne spp.

• Distribution: Bolivia, Peru.

• Population: Critically Endangered (IUCN 2004); decreasing population trend.

• Threats: Collection of adults for the pet trade; habitat change and destruction; pathogens and viruses; pollution; climate change; bycatch; consumption of tadpoles by introduced salmonid fishes.

• Trade: Fully protected in both range States; estimated 40,248 individuals illegally taken from Bolivia annually for consumption and medicinal pur-poses; from 2012-2015 >9,500 specimens seized in Peru; reported illegal export to USA, EU, Canada, Brazil, and Japan; leather goods sold in EU.

Prop. 39

Marbled rain frog or green burrowing frogScaphiophryne marmorata

Burrowing frogS. boribory S. spinosa

Madagascar

Inclusion of S. marmorata and S. boribory in Appendix II; S. spinosa as look-alike

Prop. 40

Titicaca water frogTelmatobius culeus

Bolivia and Peru

Inclusion in Appendix I

SUPPORT

• S. marmorata highly sought by private collectors because of its bright coloration.

• Other species possibly traded as S. marmorata, making impact of trade more difficult to determine.

� S. marmorata and S. boribory meet criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Criterion A of Annex 2a): population declines • international trade a major driver of popu-lation declines • CITES regulation needed to avoid qualifying for Appendix I in near future • S. spinosa meets Criterion A of Annex 2b for look-alike reasons

SUPPORT

• Proponents are the sole range States.

• Species protected in both range States; Appendix I listing would support these measures.

• Observed marked population decline, estimated >80% over the last three generations (IUCN 2004).

• A 2010 workshop63 highlighted that illegal trade is threatening its popu-lation; subsequent workshop in 2016 recognized continued illegal trade.

� Meets criteria for Appendix I (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 1, paragraph C): observed marked decline in the population size in the wild • present in international trade

21w w w . s s n . o r g


• Distribution: China.

• Population: Near Threatened (IUCN 2004); decreasing population; close to qualifying as Vulnerable.

• Threats: Primary threat is collection for the pet trade; habitat alteration; pollution.

• Trade: From 2006-2010, 223,924 live individuals legally imported to the USA from Hong Kong; also illegally taken for export from Hong Kong to Europe and USA.

• Distribution: Found worldwide in tropical oceanic and coastal waters.

• Population: Near Threatened (IUCN 2009), assessed as Vulnerable in much of Pacific and Atlantic; population decreasing; has declined by over 70% worldwide in almost every area where species is found; available trend data indicate stock depletion to 10-30% of baseline levels.

• Threats: Unsustainable targeted fisheries and utilized bycatch; most commonly caught species in longline and purse seine fisheries in tropical waters; when caught accidentally they are frequently retained for the fin trade.

• Trade: Demand for the international fin trade is driving the unsustainable fishing of this species; meat consumed domestically.

SUPPORT

• Populations declining due to poaching for international pet trade and decrease in habitat quality.

• Slow growth, taking 3-5 years to reach sexual maturity.

� Meets criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 2a, paragraph A): declining populations • international trade a major driver of population declines • CITES regulation needed to avoid qualifying for Appendix I in near future

SUPPORT

• Increasing number of silky shark fins found in the international fin trade despite catches being prohibited by regional tuna fisheries bodies (ICCAT and WCPFC).

• Listed on Appendix II of CMS and Annex I of the CMS Sharks MoU due to the need for collaboration on international conservation measures for these species.

• Listing on Appendix II would complement fisheries management mea-sures and help curb the over-fishing and illegal, unreported and unregu-lated (IUU) fishing of these species.

� Meets criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Criterion A of Annex 2a): internationally traded • marked population declines worldwide

Prop. 41

Hong Kong warty newtParamesotriton hongkongensis

China


Prop. 42

Silky sharkCarcharhinus falciformis

Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Comoros, Dominican Republic, Egypt, EU, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Maldives, Mauritania, Palau, Panama, Samoa, Senegal, Sri Lanka and Ukraine



SUPPORT

• At the highest risk of extinction of all pelagic sharks.

• A. superciliosus has the lowest annual rate of population increase of all thresher sharks and is therefore particularly at risk from depletion in fisheries.

• Vulnerable to over-exploitation due to low reproductive rate; live-bear-ing; produce 2-4 pups; slow to reach sexual maturity (females, 8-14 years).

• Significant population declines driven by high levels of largely unman-aged fisheries.

• Despite bans on catches by regional tuna fisheries agreements (ICCAT, IOTC, GFCM), catches reported to FAO have continued to rise in some oceans and have only fallen slightly in others.

• All thresher sharks listed on Appendix II of CMS and Annex I of CMS Sharks MoU due to need for collaboration on international conservation measures.

• Listing on Appendix II would complement fisheries management mea-sures and help curb overfishing and IUU fishing.

• Fins of Alopias spp. are readily identifiable in trade by genus; dried fins of all other Alopias spp. closely resemble fins of A. superciliosus.

� A. superciliosus meets criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Criterion A of Annex 2a): marked declines in popu-lations worldwide • international trade a major driver of popula-tion declines • other species meet Criterion A of Annex 2b for look-alike reasons

SUPPORT

• M. japanica and M. tarapacana are the two largest Mobula spp. with the most valuable gill plates and highest market demand. Fisheries have shifted from limited subsistence fishing to large-scale, unsustainable commercial fishing to supply the international trade in gill plates.

• Vulnerable to over-exploitation due to low reproductive capacity; M. japanica and M. tarapacana bear a single pup every 2-3 years, and have a generation length >10 years.

• All species listed on Appendices I and II of CMS (protection required by member States) and Annex I of the CMS Sharks MoU.

Prop. 43

Thresher sharksAlopias spp.

Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Comoros, Dominican Republic, Egypt, EU, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Maldives, Mauritania, Palau, Panama, Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Ukraine

Inclusion of A. superciliosus in Appendix II under Article II.2(a), and all other Alopias spp. under Article II.2(b)

Prop. 44

Devil raysMobula spp.

• Distribution: Three species; temperate and tropical oceans worldwide.

• Population: All Alopias spp. are Vulnerable (IUCN 2009); populations declining (IUCN 2009); A. superciliosus (big-eye thresher shark): declines of 70-80% in Atlantic Ocean and over 80% in Indian and Pacific Oceans over last three generations, 99% decline from historic baseline in Mediterranean, and recent data indicate more serious depletions.

• Threats: Targeted and incidental fishing mainly at unsustainable levels, largely unregulated and significantly underreported.

• Trade: Highly valued for trade in their large fins; this has led to a high amount of finning and discarding of sharks at sea; also caught for meat for domestic use; 350,000-3.9 million thresher sharks are killed and traded annually to supply the shark fin market; recent reported catches were 21,200 t in 2013 and 18,800 t in 2014, despite prohibitions intro-duced by regional fisheries management organizations.64

• Distribution: Nine species distributed worldwide in tropical and tem-perate waters of Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans; sparsely distributed; populations believed to be highly fragmented.

• Population: M. japanica (spinetail devil ray) Near Threatened (IUCN) and M. tarapacana (sicklefin devil ray) Data Deficient (IUCN 2006); IUCN reassessments, currently underway, will categorize M. tarapacana as Vulnerable globally and Endangered in three of six ocean regions; new data indicate that M. japanica likely qualifies as Vulnerable; global genus-wide declines recorded; dramatic local declines observed in Indo-Pacific over last 10-15 years; dramatic declines in catches in some areas suggest serial depletions due to over-fishing.

ContinuedContinuedContinued

23w w w . s s n . o r g


• Regulation of trade in Manta spp. (CITES Appendix II) expected to put additional pressure on Mobula spp. to fulfill demand for gill plates.

• Recent evidence indicates that the number of countries fishing for these species and importing gill plates may be increasing.

• All other Mobula species qualify for listing as look-alikes due to the great difficulty in distinguishing between the traded dried gill plates of the dif-ferent species.

� M. tarapacana and M. japanica meet criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Criterion A of Annex 2a): significant increase in internationally traded gill plates • global genus-wide declines • other Mobula species meet Criterion A of Annex 2b for look-alike reasons

SUPPORT

• Recommended for listing in Appendix II by the “Freshwater Stingray (Family Potamotrygonidae) Expert Workshop”, held in Colombia in 2014.67

• Particularly sought for ornamental fish trade due to its relatively small size and attractive pattern.

� Meets criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 2a, paragraph A): internationally traded • regulation of trade required to ensure survival of wild populations

Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Comoros, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, EU, Fiji, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Maldives, Mauritania, Palau, Panama, Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and USA

Inclusion of M. tarapacana and M. japanica in Appendix II under Article II.2(a), and all other Mobula spp. under Article II.2(b)

Prop. 45

Ocellate river stingrayPotamotrygon motoro

Bolivia


• Threats: For M. tarapacana and M. japanica, primary threat is unmoni-tored and unregulated directed and bycatch fisheries for gill plates for international trade.

• Trade: Gill plates of these species are highly valued in international trade (US$290-557/kg in Chinese markets depending on species) for an Asian health tonic; limited trade of meat and cartilage; estimated global market volume was 60.5 tons of dried mobilid gill plates in 2011, increasing to 120.5 tons by 2013.

• Distribution: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

• Population: Data Deficient (IUCN 2005); categorized as Vulnerable in Colombia.

• Threats: Commercial and artisanal fishing; habitat destruction.

• Trade: Juvenile specimens exported to Asia and Europe for the ornamental fish trade; live specimens advertised on Internet for US$140-300; indications of illegal trafficking from the Bolivian Amazon, possibly to Peru, going back at least 5 years; exports reached as high as 12,000 individuals in 2009 from Colombia; reported catch and trade figures for Peru 12,000-15,000/year. (2000-2012) but these may include other species and specimens smuggled in from nearby coun-tries;65 known to be exported from Colombia, Peru and Brazil.66



• Distribution: Indonesia; area of occupancy 23km2.

• Population: Endangered (IUCN 2007) due to very small area of occu-pancy, severe fragmentation, ongoing continuing decline (local extirpa-tions and marked decrease in population size in recent years) due to exploitation for the international aquarium trade; 1.4 million individuals estimated in 2015, representing 36% decline since 2007 and a decline in abundance of over 90% with respect to the estimated pre-harvest level; isolated, very small populations in the shallows of 34 islands; biological characteristics make it vulnerable to overexploitation (low fecundity, extended parental care, and a lack of planktonic phase that would allow dispersal).

• Threats: Collection for international aquarium trade primary threat; habitat destruction, siltation, pollution secondary.

• Trade: Subject to heavy collection pressure for the aquarium trade, with annual harvests reportedly having reached 900,000 fish/year in 2007; exported to USA, Europe and Asia; as of 2015, no coordinated, effective conservation program has been implemented for the species.

• Distribution: Mexico, France (Clipperton Island); estimated area of occu-pancy <50km2.

• Population: Vulnerable (IUCN 2010); estimated population 60,700 individuals.

• Threats: Environmental change, legal and illegal takes.

• Trade: Mexico authorized capture of 3,171 specimens 2007-2015; 2,751 authorized for export, primarily to USA; illegal fishing and traf-ficking resulted in seizures of shipments by USA.

SUPPORT

• Highly sought in aquarium trade.

• Available habitat limited to only about 300 km of coastline68.

• Easy to capture due to sedentary behavior, high site fidelity, and limited dispersal ability.

• Although limited captive breeding occurs, most specimens in trade are wild-caught as they cost less than captive-bred specimens.

• A proposal to list the species in Appendix II was withdrawn at CoP14 with Indonesia making a commitment to sustainable management of species;69 but nothing effective appears to have been done since.

• This species may qualify for listing in Appendix I.

� Meets criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 2 (a), paragraphs A and B): marked recent and ongoing popu-lation declines • small isolated populations • small area of distribution • low reproductive output • detrimental interna-tional trade impact

SUPPORT

• Popular ornamental fish, priced at > US$2,000 per specimen.

• 95% of the population lost to overharvesting in the 1990’s; marked decline and limited distribution may qualify species for Appendix I.

• 99% of population at single location.

� Meets criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 2 (a), paragraph A): high demand in international trade • col-lection for international trade detrimental • marked population decline • restricted area of distribution

Prop. 46

Banggai cardinalfish Pterapogon kauderni

EU


Prop. 47

Clarion angelfish Holacanthus clarionensis

Mexico


25w w w . s s n . o r g


SUPPORT

• 700% price increase in Philippines between 1980 and 201072 suggests increasing demand and depletion of wild populations, as confirmed by several traders.

• All species long-lived (20+ years), late-maturing (12-15 years), produce few eggs annually, making them susceptible to overexploitation.

• Limited distribution; nautilids do not swim in open water or below 800 m, limiting migration and the possibility of re-colonization if local popu-lations depleted.

� Meet criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 2 (a), paragraph B): • high demand in international trade • population declines due to takes documented

SUPPORT

• Shells brightly colored and highly valued by collectors selling for up to US$120 each.73

• Populations fragmented, declining, and adversely affected by over-col-lection for international trade.

� Meet criteria for Appendix I (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP14), Annex 1, paragraphs B i) and iv), and C i)): limited distribution and fragmentation of wild populations • decline in population size in the wild • present in international trade

• Distribution: Indo-Pacific waters, including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Palau, New Caledonia, American Samoa (USA), Australia, Fiji, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Vanuatu.

• Population: Not assessed by IUCN; population declines documented in areas where fisheries occur or have existed, including reported 80% decline in catch per unit effort in the Philippines between 1980 and 2010;70 declines in India, Indonesia, New Caledonia, and possibly Palau.

• Threats: International trade; habitat degradation.

• Trade: More than 900,000 nautilus products imported into USA alone between 2005-2014; markets exist worldwide;71 all seven nautilus species documented in trade; substantial trade from Indonesia despite domestic prohibition on harvest and sale; traded as souvenirs, jewelry or as part of decorative items.

• Distribution: Cuba.

• Population: Genus includes six species; not assessed by IUCN; Critically Endangered in Cuba’s Red Book of Invertebrates; presence and density of species declined in several areas.

• Threats: Destruction and fragmentation of habitat; over-collection.

• Trade: In last 20 years, 55 shells (personal effects) and 35 live speci-mens exported legally; protected in Cuba since 2011; 2012-2015: more than 23,400 shells in 15 shipments seized in Bahamas, Cayman Islands and Mexico, all destined for the USA; shells widely advertised outside Cuba via Internet.

Prop. 48

NautilidsFamily Nautilidae

Fiji, India, Palau and USA


Prop. 49

Cuban land snails or painted snailsPolymita spp.

Cuba

Inclusion in Appendix I


• Distribution: Range of genus (11 species): Mexico, Central America; B. recurvata is endemic to Mexico.

• Population: B. recurvata, not assessed (IUCN 2016), assessed as Threatened in Mexico; small populations.

• Threats: B. recurvata: habitat loss and illegal take of plants and seeds.

• Trade: Nurseries in Mexico do not produce enough to meet high inter-national demand; illegally collected wild seeds, seedlings and mature plants laundered into international trade through legally registered nurs-eries; for sale in USA and Europe, and on Internet for up to US$7,276 (large plant) and US$45 (2000 seeds); no export permits issued since 2009; origin of plants outside of Mexico unknown; illegal sales in recent years overwhelm enforcement capacity; 2004-2014 Mexico seized 446,520 specimens.

• Distribution: Mexico: occurs on the vertical faces of limestone cliffs in a Biosphere Reserve, area of occupation 2260 km2.

• Population: Not assessed (IUCN 2016); assessed as Threatened in Mexico; decreasing; only ~13% of the population reproduces each year; specimens reproduce every other year.

• Threats: Extraction of rock, habitat loss.

• Trade: Protected in Mexico; no records of use, or legal or illegal trade in Mexico; no evidence of wild collection; artificially propagated specimens (plants, seeds) traded internationally (not from Mexico); widely available on Internet; source of founder stock is unknown. Proposal states that species meets biological, but not trade, criteria for Appendix I.

SUPPORT

• Native to highly threatened tropical deciduous forests; habitat fragmen-tation damages population structure and harms natural regeneration.

• B. recurvata; wild population small, reduced further by illegal collection of seeds and plants for international trade.

• Seeds, seedlings not identifiable to species by non-experts.

• PC22 supported the submission of this proposal.

� B. recurvata meets criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Criterion B of Annex 2a): small wild population • collec-tion of plants and seeds for international trade threatens survival • other species meet Criterion A of Annex 2b for look-alike reasons

OPPOSE

• Species in the genus Tillandsia, commonly known as ‘air plants’, are highly sought by collectors.

• Given the popularity of this species, trade may have a detrimental impact on it in future.

• The species has high vulnerability to overexploitation due to low repro-ductive rate.

• Proposal result of Periodic Review.

� Meets criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 2(a) paragraph B): species in international trade • trade may have a detrimental impact on species

Prop. 50

Ponytail palm, elephant-foot treeBeaucarnea spp.

Mexico

Include B. recurvata in Appendix II; include other ten species in the genus in Appendix II as look-alikes

Prop. 51

Maury's tillandsia Tillandsia mauryana

Mexico

Delete from Appendix II

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Prop. 52

New Mexico fishhook cactusSclerocactus cloverae

Siler's fishhook cactusSclerocactus sileri

Blaine's fishhook cactusSclerocactus blainei

Colorado hookless cactusSclerocactus glaucus

USA

Transfer S. blainei, S. cloverae and S. sileri from Appendix II to I

Nomenclatural amendment to S. glaucus

Prop. 53

Siamese rosewoodDalbergia cochinchinensis

SUPPORT

• Desirable by collectors as species are rare.

• Difficult to cultivate.

• Appendix I listing will strengthen regulation, particularly of trade in seeds.

• Illegal collection of seeds and plants of these species adversely affects reproductive potential and long-term species survival.

• Proposal result of Periodic Review.

� Meet criteria for Appendix I (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Annex 1 paragraph B (iii)): small population sizes and number of popula-tions • restricted distribution • collection of seeds for interna-tional trade adversely affecting reproduction and species survival

SUPPORT

• Proposed change in annotation required to ensure that trade in parts and derivatives that now dominate trade is regulated.

• The commercial extinction of higher grade species due to excessive harvesting has resulted in Siamese rosewood becoming one of the most prized hongmu species.76

• Distribution: USA; narrow endemics with small and restricted distribu-tion (e.g. S. sileri 1,000 km2).

• Population: Not assessed by IUCN; NatureServe assessment of S. blainei Critically Imperiled S. cloverae Vulnerable, and S. sileri, Critically Imperiled;74 small population sizes; small number of populations; S. sileri decreasing with an estimated 25% population decline in the last 8 years; likely to reach 30% in the next 4 years if threats continue. Includes nomen-clatural amendment to current Appendix-I listing, dividing S. glaucus into S. glaucus, S. brevispinus, and S. wetlandicus.

• Threats: Harvest of seeds, plants; habitat loss; drought.

• Trade: Most international trade in seeds and artificially propagated plants; some wild exports; wild-harvested seeds offered on the Internet; seeds of Appendix II cacti, except cacti native to Mexico, are not regu-lated by CITES.

• Distribution: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Viet Nam.

• Population: Vulnerable (IUCN 1998).

• Threats: Exploitation for timber.

• Trade: In great demand in China’s hongmu (redwood) trade for the creation of Chinese luxury furniture; current annotation does not cover all products of D. cochinchinensis in trade, resulting in unsustainable and illegal trade; parts are in such high demand that roots now are found in trade; large portion of the trade is now in secondary processed products, particularly furniture.

Continued


Thailand

Replace current annotation #5 (“Logs, sawn wood and veneer sheets”) with #4 (all parts and derivatives except seeds, spores, pollen, seedling or tissue cultures)

Prop. 54

RosewoodsDalbergia calderonii, D. calycina, D. congestiflora, D. cubilquitzensis, D. glomerta, D. longepedunculata, D. luteola, D. melanocardium, D. modesta, D. palo-escrito, D. rhachiflexa, D. ruddae, D. tucurensis

Mexico

Include in Appendix II

Prop. 55

Rosewoods, PalisandersDalbergia spp.

• Distribution: 13 species, Mexico, Central America.

• Population: 11 species not assessed by IUCN, others assessed by IUCN (2016) as Vulnerable (1), Least Concern (1); assessed in Mexico as Endangered (8 species), Threatened (4), “subject to special protection” (1); decreasing.

• Threats: Legal and illegal logging; habitat loss and fragmentation.

• Trade: 2013-2015, exports of Dalbergia (labeled D. retusa although based on the latest scientific information could be D. granadillo) from Mexico to China, Cambodia, USA, were 232,661 m3 ; illegal trade in Dalbergia spp. has accelerated in recent years.

• Distribution: 304 species, 58 currently CITES-listed; tropical regions of Central and South America, Africa, Madagascar and southern Asia.

• Population: Critically Endangered (1 species), Endangered (29), Vulnerable (26), Near Threatened (3), Lower risk/near threatened (5), Least Concern (12), Lower risk/least concern (1), Data Deficient (6) (IUCN 2016).

• Threats: Harvesting and trade for timber.

SUPPORT

• Proposes listing 13 Dalbergia species in Appendix II; while Prop. 55 addresses entire genus; SSN urges Parties to support the listing in Appendix II of all Dalbergia species not already listed.

• Species are difficult to distinguish from those Dalbergia already listed, providing opportunities for laundering of listed species as unlisted species.

• Mexican environmental enforcement authorities recommended all Mexican Dalbergia species be listed in Appendix II.

• Prop 55 would not be affected by this proposal.

� Meet criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Criterion B of Annex 2a) decline in wild populations • interna-tional trade • species also qualify under Criterion A of Annex 2b for look-alike reasons

SUPPORT

• Rosewood trade has accelerated significantly in the last few years and continues to shift from species to species and country to country (e.g. Asia to Africa) as populations are exhausted.

• Traffickers have taken advantage of current gaps in CITES listings (e.g., mis-declaring D. retusa as the unlisted and similar-looking D. bariensis in violation of national moratoria and CITES listings).

Continued


29w w w . s s n . o r g


Argentina, Brazil, Guatemala and Kenya


Prop. 56

BubingasGuibourtia tessmannii, G. pellegriniana, G. demeusei

EU and Gabon

Include G. tessmannii and G. pellegriniana in Appendix II with annotation # 4; G. demeusei as look alike

• Trade: Imports to China, EU, USA; China’s import of hongmu (redwood) for creation of luxury furniture has increased exponentially in the past few years; China imported 1.96 million m3 of rosewood logs and sawn wood in 2014, an increase of 70% in one year, 1,250% since 2000;77 CITES records a total of 28,288.45 m3 and 140 t of Dalbergia wood products were traded between 2005 and 2014; global trade in rosewood involves high rates of illegal harvesting, transport, and trade.78

• Distribution: G. tessmannii, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and DRC; G. pellegriniana, Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, DRC; populations fragemented.

• Population: Not assessed by IUCN; low density; slow regeneration.

• Threats: Harvest and trade for timber.

• Trade: Logs primarily to China as hongmu (redwood) used in furniture-making, also to EU; 2011-2014, sawnwood exports varied from 50,000-100,000 m3 from Gabon and 5,000-10,000 m3 from Cameroon; much of the trade is illegal; prices have increased 300- 500% in the past four years; surge in demand in China as hongmu species has led to establishment of trafficking networks to facilitate illegal harvest and export of the species in all range States.

• Species are difficult to distinguish from those Dalbergia already listed, providing opportunities for laundering of listed species as unlisted species.

• Proposal based on consultations with PC and recommendations of the Neotropical Timber Working Group and would facilitate enforcement and compliance.

� Species meet criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Criterion B of Annex 2a): declining populations • sig-nificant international trade • high levels of illegal trade; spe-cies also qualify under Criterion A of Annex 2b for look-alike reasons

SUPPORT

• High demand has made this the most expensive wood in Central Africa, shifting exports from the EU to China and creating an illegal trade (mainly in Gabon and Cameroon).

• Considered sacred, used for medicinal purposes; illegal overexploitation has made it hard for locals to have access to Bubingas as populations decrease.

� G. tessmannii and G. pellegriniana meet criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Criterion B of Annex 2a): significant harvest for international trade • high level of illegal trade; G. demeusei qualifies under Criterion A of Annex 2b for look-alike reasons



Prop. 57

African rosewood, KossoPterocarpus erinaceus

Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, EU, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo


Prop. 58

Grandidier's baobabAdansonia grandidieri

Madagascar

Include in Appendix II, annotated to include seeds, fruits, oils and live plants

• Distribution: Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger, Benin, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon.

• Population: Not assessed by IUCN; native to Critical/Endangered Guinean Forest-Savanna Mosaic ecoregion.79

• Threats: Uncontrolled and illegal harvest and trade.

• Trade: Logs to China as hongmu used in furniture-making; in 2014, China alone imported ~ 750,000 m3 of West African rosewood, estimated equivalent of >1 million trees; between Q3/2009 and Q3/2015, Chinese imports of hongmu logs from West Africa increased by >2,000 times in volume; large percentage illegally harvested or illegally exported, including “conflict” timber.

• Distribution: Madagascar; limited to two areas in SW.

• Population: Endangered (IUCN 1998), mature trees now largely found in degraded agricultural land where regeneration is poor.

• Threats: Exploitation of seeds, fruit, bark and fiber; habitat loss.

• Trade: Exported as living plants, fruit, seeds, and oil extracted from seeds for cooking and cosmetics. 150 ml seed oil and 1 fruit exported in 2014; 35kg seed oil in 2015; seeds available via Internet;80 baobab seed oil and powdered fruit from Madagascar baobabs widely offered on the Internet.

SUPPORT

• In 2015 the most heavily-traded species of hongmu by volume at the international level.

• Since 2010 high prices and limited supply of more traditional SE Asian rosewoods has led to dramatic growth in Chinese imports from West Africa.

• Unsustainable exploitation of the species is likely to have serious negative impacts on West African dry forests and the people who depend on them.

� Meets criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Criterion B of Annex 2a): significant harvest for international trade • endangered ecosystem • high level of illegal trade

SUPPORT

• Most heavily exploited of Malagasy baobabs.

• Trade in seed and fruit likely to greatly impact regeneration of this Endangered species.

� Meets criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Criterion B of Annex 2a): decline in wild population • inter-national trade in seeds, fruit, oil threatens species’ ability to reproduce in the wild

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Prop. 59

Algerian firAbies numidica

Algeria

Include in Appendix I

Prop. 60

AgarwoodsAquilaria spp., Gyrinops spp.

USA

Amend annotation #14 to clarify that annotation “does not apply to wood chips”

• Proposal not available at the time this document was prepared.

• Distribution: Southeast Asia.

• Population: Aquilaria spp., 15 species, 2 Critically Endangered, 7 Vulnerable (IUCN 2016); Gyrinops spp., 8 species, not assessed by IUCN.

• Threats: Unsustainable resin collection; habitat loss.

• Trade: Often traded as wood, chips and oil; amendment would ensure that CITES controls apply to woodchips of agarwood-producing species even when traded as finished products packaged for retail trade.

SUPPORT

• Woodchips constitute a significant portion of the international trade in agarwood-producing taxa, and their trade should be regulated under CITES.

• Proposal based on consultations within the Standing Committee Annotations Working Group.


Prop. 61

Wild ginger, African ginger, Natal gingerSiphonochilus aethiopicus

South Africa

List the populations of South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique and Zimbabwe in Appendix II

Prop. 62

Holy woodBulnesia sarmientoi

USA

Amend Annotation #11 to include text “Finished products containing such extracts as ingredients, including fragrances, are not considered to be covered by this annotation”

• Distribution: 23 range States in Africa; in South Africa restricted dis-tribution, extent of occurrence decreased by >90% in past 100 years; extinct in 49% of historic localities.

• Population: Not assessed by IUCN; Critically Endangered on South Africa’s Red List;81 Endangered in Swaziland;82 5,214 wild plants in southern Africa; 64% decline over four years in one area in South Africa.

• Threats: Large-scale commercial exploitation; habitat loss.

• Trade: Rhizomes are one of the most popular traditional medicines in trade in South Africa; cross-border trade from Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe to supply demand in South Africa is increasing.

• Distribution: Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay.

• Population: Lower Risk/conservation dependent (IUCN 1998).

• Threats: High levels of export; habitat loss.84

• Trade: B. sarmientoi mainly traded as an extract, logs, sawn wood, oil, chips and carvings; amendment would clarify that finished products con-taining extracts are not subject to CITES controls.

SUPPORT

• Species is extinct over much of its former South African range due to over-utilization.

• International trade likely to reduce populations outside South Africa.

• SSN recommends that range States not included in this proposal list their populations in Appendix III for monitoring.

� Meets criteria for Appendix II (RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16), Criterion A and B of Annex 2a): wild populations declining as a result of overexploitation • increasing international trade to supply South African markets

SUPPORT

• Proposal would harmonize Annotation #11 for this species with Annotation #12 for Aniba rosaeodora (Brazilian rosewood, pau-rosa); both species are traded primarily as extracts

• Proposal results from work undertaken under Decision 16.162 on Annotations.

33w w w . s s n . o r g

DOCUMENT BACKGROUND / CURRENT STATUS EFFECT OF DOCUMENT SSN VIEW


• Proposes changes to the RoP for CoP17 (Annex 2) including, inter alia:

Requiring regional balance and limiting participation in working groups; observers must show expertise to participate in working groups, and shall not outnumber delegates;

Restricting media accreditation to representatives of ‘bona fide media organizations’ not registered as observers; no definition of ‘bona fide media organization’ is provided;

Summary records to be posted on the website only;

REIOs (e.g. EU) can choose whether to cast votes equal to their members or have members cast their votes; only member states will count towards a quorum;

Clarifies that amendment of the RoP requires support of a two-thirds majority;

A delegate can only represent one Party.

• Provides comments on REIO participation at CoP17 (Annex 3); proposes that, as a “practical arrangement”, EU should vote only if all member States present;

• Proposes draft Decision directing SC to review RoP and propose amendments to CoP18 (Annex 4).

SUPPORT IN PART / OPPOSE IN PART

• SSN recommends Parties support text clarifying that amendment of RoP requires support of two-thirds majority.

• SSN urges Parties amend Rule 26, paragraph 3, so that REIOs like the EU may only cast votes equal to the number of their member states duly accredited and present in the meeting at the time of voting; currently, this is only a “practical arrangement” and not a rule.

• To assist the Credentials Committee, the RoP should clearly specify who can issue credentials for REIO representatives; different treaties define “competent authority” differently.

• SSN urges Parties to oppose requirement to strike a regional balance in working groups, as regional affilia-tion is not decisive; some issues may affect one region more than another, and Parties from one region can hold divergent views.

• SSN urges Parties to oppose proposed restrictions on observer participation in CoP working groups, which will severely limit their participation in the meeting and risks restricting the amount and quality of information that can be presented at working group meetings. As is currently the case, working group chairs should retain discretion to invite delegates or observers to attend a working group meeting if the chair feels that they can contribute usefully to its work.

• SSN urges Parties to oppose proposed restrictions on media access as it would reduce transparency and hamper public education about the achievements of the Convention.

• Rules of Procedure (RoP) were adopted at CoP16 (Annex 1).

• SC66 directed Secretariat to work with SC, AC, PC Chairs and consult with Parties (Notification to the Parties No. 2016/27) to devise RoP for CoP17.

• Secretariat states it is ready to facilitate discus-sion on the participation in CITES of Regional eco-nomic integration organizations (REIOs), e.g. the EU, prior to CoP17.

4. Adoption of the rules of procedure

4.1 Report of the Secretariat

CoP17 Doc. 4.1

Summary of Working Documents To be discussed at CITES CoP17, Johannesburg, South Africa, 24 September-05 October 2016

Prepared by the Species Survival Network with the generous support of Vulcan Inc., a Paul G Allan Company

Abbreviations used: RC=Resolution Conf. • CoP=Conference of the Parties • SC=Standing Committee • AC=Animals Committee • PC=Plants Committee

DOCUMENT BACKGROUND / CURRENT STATUS EFFECT OF DOCUMENT SSN VIEW34

• Submitted by Botswana and South Africa.

• Proposes amendments to RoP to clarify that amend-ment of the RoP requires support of two-thirds majority.

• Submitted by Israel.

Proposes the following changes to RoP:

When two or more proposals relate to the same taxon, to consider the proposal with the most (rather than least ) restrictive effect on trade first and only if it is rejected, move on to the next proposal.

To change the number of Parties necessary to second a request for a secret ballot from “10” to “a simple majority”;

That the number of votes cast by a REIO be limited to the number of REIO member states present;

Require that decisions as to whether an issue is procedural be decided by a two-thirds majority.

• Provides a description of staffing of the Secretariat and related funding; requests CoP to note report.

• Annexes 1-3 provide the number of posts within the CITES Secretariat from 2000 to 2015, Number of Parties to CITES 2000-2016, and participants at the meetings of Governing Bodies and AC and PC.

• Prepared by UNEP.

• Provides a review of the variety of UNEP services to and in support of CITES including programmatic col-laboration, management of the CITES Trust Fund and other administrative services, and implementation of United Nations Environment Assembly resolution 1/3 on illegal trade in wildlife.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties support this proposal.

SUPPORT

• Regarding the voting order of proposals, the proposed change would ensure that Parties are able to vote on a proposed higher or more restrictive listing for a single species that would otherwise be included as part of a broader genus level proposal; under current rules adop-tion of the broader proposal could prevent the more restrictive proposal from being discussed.

• SSN urges Parties to support increasing the number of Parties needed to second a request for a secret ballot. Secret ballots make it possible for delegates to vote con-trary to directions from their governments, impede open and informed discussion of contentious issues, and deny citizens knowledge of their government’s position.

• SSN supports limiting the number of votes cast by an REIO (see comments to Doc. 4.1 above).

• SSN recommends that Parties note the report.

• No comment.

• CoP16 RoP:

When two or more proposals relate to same taxon, proposal with least restrictive effect on trade is considered first and only if it is rejected is the next proposal considered.

Ten Parties must second a proposal for a secret ballot for one to be held.

Does not address REIO voting.

Does not address voting procedures to be used when determining if an issue is procedural.

• RC 16.2 on Financing and the costed programme of work for the Secretariat for the triennium 2014-2016, inter alia, decides that the Secretary-General shall have the authority to make staffing decisions as necessary to implement the priorities of the Parties.

• Article XII, para. 1, of CITES states that Secretariat is to be provided by Executive Director of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

• An MOU between SC and Executive Director of UNEP, which became operative on 1 September 2011, concerns Secretariat services to and in sup-port of CITES.

4.2 Proposal of Botswana and South Africa

CoP17 Doc. 4.2

4.3 Proposal of Israel

CoP17 Doc. 4.3

7. Administration, finance and budget of the Secretariat and of meetings of the Conference of the Parties

7.1 Administration of the Secretariat

CoP17 Doc. 7.1

7.2 Report of the Executive Director of UNEP on administrative and other matters

CoP17 Doc. 7.2

35w w w . s s n . o r g


Continued

• Reports that Secretariat seeks guidance from the Parties on implementing SC66 recommendation on hosting.

• Provides (Annexes 1-13) Financial report on costed programme of work for 2014, 2015 and 2016; status of CITES Trust Fund and contributions; and state-ments of income and expenditures.

• Proposes a new registration fee structure for observers that reduces fee to US$0 for second and third representative to CoPs and requires US$100 fee for international visitors to CoPs.

• Requests that CoP accept the report of expenditures incurred and approve the report of implementation of the costed programmes of work for 2014, 2015 and 2016.

• Provides (Annexes 1-5) Secretariat’s tasks under Resolutions and Decisions between CoP16 and CoP17; three budget scenarios (zero real growth, zero nominal growth, incremental growth); and a draft Resolution on financing and the costed programme of work for the Secretariat for the triennium 2017-2019.

• Provides a report on related activities including a planned Wildlife Donor Roundtable on sustainable use, describes links (Annex 1) to GEF Global Wildlife Program (GWP), and overview of GWP (Annex 2).

• Provides draft Decisions (Annex 3) that, inter alia:

Invite Parties to second staff to Secretariat;

Direct Secretariat to convey CITES priorities to GEF, provide inputs to GWP, organize a Wildlife Donor Roundtable with particular focus on the conservation and sustainable use of wild fauna and flora, and report on these to SC; and

Direct SC to review progress on roundtable and make recommendations to CoP18.

• Submitted by the EU and Senegal.

• Provides a draft Resolution on Sponsored Delegates Project that:

• SSN recommends that Parties approve the proposed observer registration fee structure.

• However, SSN believes that registration fees for observers prevent many small and community organizations from attending meetings, and believes that these should be eliminated entirely. SSN notes that these fees were origi-nally assessed to cover printing costs, but as documents are now freely available online these costs no longer apply.

• No comment.

• SSN recommends that Parties support the draft Decisions.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties support adoption of the draft Resolution.

7.3 Financial reports for 2014-2016

CoP17 Doc. 7.3

7.4 Budget and work program for 2017 to 2019

CoP17 Doc. 7.4

7.5 Access to finance, including GEF funding

CoP17 Doc. 7.5

8. Sponsored delegates project

CoP17 Doc. 8

• SC66 agreed to request CoP17 to direct Secretariat to explore potential benefits of alternative hosting arrangements for Secretariat (meaning Host Country) and make a recommendation to SC69.

• RC 16.2, inter alia, encourages Secretariat to explore a closer working relationship with Global Environment Facility (GEF).

• Decisions 16.3 -16.8 direct Secretariat to explore a closer working relationship with GEF and GEF becoming a financial mechanism for CITES.

• SC66 recommended that CoP17 not proceed with exploration of GEF becoming a financial mechanism for CITES.

• The "Sponsored Delegates Project (SDP)" was initi-ated in 1986 to provide ‘anonymous’ assistance to enable developing countries to attend CoPs. The ini-tiative does not have a legal basis as it has not been formally agreed by the CoP.


• SSN recommends that the draft Decisions be amended to invite participation of observers in the Strategic Plan Working Group.

• SSN recommends that Parties note the report and delete the Decisions as recommended by the Secretariat.

• No comment.

Formally establishes the project, administered by the Secretariat, for funding a maximum of two delegates from each developing country; and

Urges governments, international organisations or private bodies to declare to Secretariat funding they granted directly to delegates and delegates to declare such funds received, and Secretariat to publish this information before each CoP.

• Provides draft Decisions that inter alia:

Direct SC to establish a Strategic Plan Working Group to review progress in implementing the Strategic Vision, develop a proposal for a Strategic Vision for the period after 2020 and report to CoP18; and

Request Parties to submit evaluation of their implementation of the Strategic Vision to the Working Group.

• Submitted by SC Chair.

• Provides a report on SC work over the last inter-sessional period; status of work directed to the SC during this time (Annex 1); and compliance matters addressed (Annex 2).

• Invites CoP to note the report.

• Secretariat recommends deletion of Decision 14.29 (Rev. CoP16) establishing SC Working Group on Multilateral Measures as the work was completed, and Decision 16.62 directing SC to liaise with the World Customs Organization to include CITES-listed species in the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System as SC was divided on the issue.

• No document.

9. Revision of the CITES Strategic Vision: 2008-2020

CoP17 Doc. 9

10. Committee reports and recommendations

10.1 Standing Committee

10.1.1 Report of the Chair

CoP17 Doc. 10.1.1

10.1.2 Election of new regional and alternate regional members

• RC 16.3 on CITES Strategic Vision: 2008-2020 pro-vides the CITES Vision Statement and Strategic Goals.

Continued

37w w w . s s n . o r g


• Submitted by AC Chair.

• Provides a report on AC work over the last interses-sional period.

• Invites CoP to note the report and provides draft Decision directing AC and PC to review their terms of reference as contained in RC 11.1 (Rev. CoP16) on Establishment of Committees and provide proposed amendments to CoP18.

• No document.

• Submitted by Acting PC Chair.

• Provides a report on PC work over the last interses-sional period.

• Invites CoP to note this report.

• No document.

• Provides draft Decisions that inter alia:

Direct SC to review its RoP and align them with those of the CoP, including any amendments to RC 11.1 (Rev. CoP16); and

Direct AC and PC to review their RoP and align them with those of SC.

• Submitted by SC.

• Provides minor revisions to Decisions 16.9 and 16.10 to continue the work under these Decisions.

• SSN recommends that Parties note the report and adopt the draft Decision.

• No comment.

• SSN recommends that Parties note the report.

• No comment.

• Noting that proposed changes to the CoP RoP (CoP17 Doc. 4.1) include restrictions on composition of working groups, SSN urges the Parties to ensure that, if adopted, these same restrictions are not applied to limit participation of observers in working groups at SC, AC and PC meetings.

SUPPORT

10.2 Animals Committee


CoP17 Doc. 10.2.1


10.3 Plants Committee


CoP17 Doc. 10.3.1


11. Rules of Procedure for the CITES bodies

CoP17 Doc. 11

12. Potential conflicts of interest in the Animals and Plants Committees

CoP17 Doc. 12

• RC 11.1 (Rev. CoP16) on Establishment of committees provides the terms of reference for the SC, AC and PC.

• Decisions 16.9 and 16.10 direct SC to review the functioning of the conflict of interest policy of AC and PC, and Secretariat to report on conflict of interest policies of other agreements.


• Decisions 16.11 and 16.12 direct SC to explore options to strengthen cooperation, collaboration and synergies between CITES and other biodiversity-related conventions, and report to CoP17.

• RC 11.3 (Rev. CoP16) on Compliance and enforce-ment, inter alia, instructs Secretariat to cooperate with ICCWC partner organizations to prepare training materials and facilitate exchange of technical infor-mation between border control authorities.

OPPOSE

• Organizations (including CBRNM organizations) may already make their views known by attending CITES CoP, SC, AC and PC meetings and participating in Working Groups as observers.

• They may also make their views known to the CITES authori-ties in their home countries.

• As Parties differ in their policies towards CBRNM organizations, including which organizations qualify as CBRNM, a geographi-cally-representative committee may be impossible to achieve.

• SSN agrees with the practical and budgetary concerns raised by Secretariat against the establishment of a new Committee. The Secretariat’s estimated cost for Committee meetings alone is US$120,000 per year; if such resources become available they would be better directed at assisting Parties to enhance implementation and enforcement of the Convention.

• In recognition of concerns expressed by some SC Members (Doc. 14.1, para. 4), SSN recommends Parties include lan-guage in the draft Decisions that “such cooperation must add value and not detract from the core focus of CITES and the work of the Secretariat.”

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties adopt the draft Decision.

• Submitted by Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

• Provides a draft Resolution to establish a permanent Rural Communities Committee comprised of repre-sentatives of organisations of rural communities or community-based natural resource management (CBRNM) organisations that will, inter alia:

Provide guidance to CoP and Secretariat on issues related to wildlife trade;

Provide coordination and advice to other committees and working groups;

Carry out activities related to wildlife trade and conservation, including on wildlife use rights; and

Draft resolutions/decisions for consideration by CoP.


• Proposes deleting Decisions 16.11 and 16.12.

• Provides draft Decisions that, inter alia, direct SC to explore options to strengthen cooperation, collabora-tion and synergies on activities related to the Strategic Plan on Biodiversity and its Aichi Targets and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals between CITES and the other biodiversity-related conventions in the Liaison Group of Biodiversity-related Conventions.

• Reports on activities conducted collectively under the auspices of ICCWC since CoP16.

• Provides draft Decision (Annex 1) that encourages Parties to, inter alia: make full use of the ‘ICCWC indicator framework for wildlife and forest crime’; draw upon the UNODC World Wildlife Crime Report to inform their decision-making; and provide support for the position of ICCWC Support Officer.

13. Establishment of the rural communities committee of the Conference of the Parties

CoP17 Doc. 13

14. Cooperation with organizations and multilateral environmental agreements

14.1 Cooperation with other biodiversity-related conventions

CoP17 Doc. 14.1

14.2 International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC)

CoP17 Doc. 14.2

39w w w . s s n . o r g


• Prepared by CCAMLR Secretariat.

• Extends an invitation to Parties harvesting or trading toothfish and not cooperating with CCAMLR to con-sider becoming a Contracting Party to CCAMLR.

• Secretariat provides draft Decisions directing Secretariat to issue a Notification requesting Parties involved in the harvest of or trade in toothfish that are not cooperating with CCAMLR to submit a report on their implementa-tion of RC 12.4 which will be shared with CCAMLR Secretariat, and to consult with CCAMLR Secretariat and relevant organisations regarding the provisions of RC12.4 and present its recommendations to CoP18.

• Submitted by SC and Secretariat; prepared by Chair of SC Working Group on IPBES.

• Provides revisions to Decisions 16.13-16.15 (Annex 1) that extend the work to CoP18.

• Provides an update of Secretariat’s cooperation with other international organizations since CoP16.

• Reports that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development have replaced the Millennium Development Goals, and proposes amendments to RC 16.3 on CITES Strategic Vision: 2008-2020 to include this.

• Submitted by Mexico.

• Requests the CoP to request the Secretariat to:

• Provide a Draft report on CITES contribution to the implementation of GSPC 2011-2020 (Annex 1) to the Secretariat of CBD;

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties adopt the draft Decision provided by the Secretariat.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties adopt the revised Decisions.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties adopt the proposed amend-ments to RC 16.3 and also include in RC 16.3, reference to the UNGA adopted Resolution 69/314 on "Tackling illicit trafficking in wildlife" as this is also relevant to globally-agreed goals and targets.

SUPPORT IN PART

• SSN recommends that Parties support the recommenda-tion to submit the report to the CBD Secretariat.

• Given funding restrictions, SSN recommends that Parties consider the need for online databases on this and other topics (e.g. Review of Significant Trade, Periodic Review) and prioritize these for funding.

• RC 12.4 on Cooperation between CITES and CCAMLR regarding trade in toothfish, and Decisions 12.57 and 12.59, request Parties harvesting and/or trading toothfish (Dissostichus spp.) to cooperate with CCAMLR’s Catch Documentation Scheme (CDS).

• Decisions 16.13-16.16, inter alia, direct the SC to establish a Working Group on IPBES; and AC and PC Chairs and Secretariat to contribute to this work.

• RC 16.5 on Cooperation with the GSPC of the Convention on Biological Diversity provides guidelines on CITES cooperation with GSPC.

14.3 Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)

CoP17 Doc. 14.3

14.4 Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)

CoP17 Doc. 14.4

14.5 Cooperation with other organizations

CoP17 Doc. 14.5

14.6 Cooperation with the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) on Biological Diversity (CBD)

CoP17 Doc. 14.6 Continued


• Decisions 16.28-16.31 direct Parties, Secretariat, and SC to undertake certain actions to pursue and enhance CITES capacity-building activities.

• Decisions 16.17-16.25 direct Parties, Secretariat and SC to undertake activities regarding livelihoods including rapid assessments of impacts of listing decisions on rural communities, and the CITES and Livelihoods toolkit and guidelines.

15. Capacity building

CoP17 Doc. 15

16. CITES and livelihoods

CoP17 Doc. 16

17. Livelihoods and Food Security

CoP17 Doc. 17

• Post and maintain an online list of CITES plant-related actions (proposals, Periodic Review, Review of Significant Trade); and

• Request UNEP-WCMC to include an interactive ver-sion of the online flora database so Parties can keep it up-to-date.

• Provides an update on capacity-building activities of Secretariat, SC, AC and PC.

• Proposes Decisions that, inter alia, direct AC/PC to establish a working group on capacity building and identification materials; Secretariat to provide assis-tance and invite feedback from Parties on their needs; SC to review work of Secretariat/Committees on these issues.


• Provides draft Decisions that, inter alia, direct Parties to utilize the CITES and Livelihoods toolkit and guide-lines, Secretariat to facilitate workshops and side-events on livelihoods and report to SC69 and CoP18 on these measures.

• Secretariat recommends that Decision directed to Parties be amended to invite Parties to conduct case studies on “how legal and sustainable trade can gen-erate economic incentives for the conservation of wildlife and improvement of livelihoods”.

• Submitted by Antigua and Barbuda, Côte d'Ivoire and Namibia.

• Provides a draft Resolution on Livelihoods and food security that, inter alia, states that the CoP:

• Endorses the five Strategic Objectives of the FAO;1

• Urges Parties to take into account the need for inter alia, food and nutrition security, preservation of cul-tural identity and security of livelihoods when making proposed amendments to the Appendices; and

• Resolves to give due regard to the need to achieve food and nutrition security for many of the world’s populations when making its decisions.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties adopt the proposed Decisions.

OPPOSE IN PART

• While SSN is not opposed to the draft Decisions directing Parties to utilize the CITES and livelihoods toolkit, guide-lines and handbook, SSN urges the Parties to reject the following draft Decisions because severely limited resources are better directed at assisting Parties to enhance implementation and enforcement:

• 17.DD, directing Secretariat to seek funds for Parties' work on livelihoods; and

• 17.EE, directing Secretariat to faciliate workshops and side-events on livelihoods.

OPPOSE

• The purpose of CITES is not to ensure food and nutrition security, preservation of cultural identity, and security of livelihoods; Resolution would conflict with Convention text and require CITES decisions to be based on issues outside the scope of the Convention.

• Unsustainable and illegal international trade in wild species may remove or diminish food resources for poor communities.

• CITES’ role in ensuring international trade is not det-rimental to the survival of species already ensures that populations of wild species may continue to meet human needs for food, cultural and livelihood uses.

Continued

41w w w . s s n . o r g


SUPPORT

• Demand reduction is now widely recognized as a vital tool in efforts to combat wildlife trafficking., It is also called for in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution on tackling illicit trade in wildlife, and by UNEP/Interpol and UNODC in their 2016 reports.

SUPPORT

• See SSN View under CoP17 Doc. 18.1.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that the Parties adopt the draft Resolution and draft Decisions.

• RC 10.10 (Rev. CoP16) urges relevant Parties to engage in demand reduction campaigns regarding ivory.

• Decision 16.85 recommends that Parties implicated in the illegal trade of rhinoceros horn develop demand reduction strategies for rhino horn products.

• See Background/Current Status under CoP17 Doc. 18.1.

• RC 16.1 on World Wildlife Day, inter alia, declares 3 March as World Wildlife Day.

18. Demand reduction

18.1 Demand reduction strategies to combat illegal trade in CITES-listed species

CoP17 Doc. 18.1

18.2 Development of CITES demand-reduction guidelines

CoP17 Doc. 18.2

19. United Nations World Wildlife Day

CoP17 Doc. 19

• Submitted by USA.

• Provides a draft Resolution on Demand-reduction strategies to combat illegal trade in CITES-listed spe-cies that, inter alia, urges Parties to:

Develop campaigns and strategies to target consumer groups and motivations for demand in order reduce demand for illegal products of wild species;

Undertake research on demand for specimens of illegally-traded CITES-listed species; and

Conduct workshops to develop campaigns for particular species or types of trade.

• Submitted by Gabon, Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo (agenda items 18.2 and 30 are based on a single working document in two parts).

• Provides draft Decisions that, inter alia:

Encourage Parties to implement demand reduction strategies and report these to SC;

Direct Secretariat to prepare a report on demand reduction strategies for SC69, convene a workshop to review the report, and provide support to Parties on demand reduction strategies; and

Direct SC to review the report and make recommendations to CoP18.

• Provides an update on World Wildlife Day activities in 2014, 2015, 2016.

• Provides a draft Resolution to replace RC 16.1 that, inter alia, urges Parties to celebrate the Day and Secretariat and SC to facilitate this.

• Provides a draft Decision directing Secretariat to, inter alia, seek support for World Wildlife Day cel-ebrations and report to SC.


SUPPORT

SUPPORT IN PART / OPPOSE IN PART

• SSN recommends that Parties support proposed changes to RC12.6 and Decisions 16.26, 16.27, and 16.58.

• SSN recommends that Parties oppose proposed changes to:

• Decision 14.81: SSN recommends that Parties oppose deletion as the content of the Decision still is relevant and may not be easily included in RC 14.8 (CoP16).

• Decisions 14.82-14.85: SSN urges Parties not to delete these Decisions; if CoP17 Prop. 19 (to list P. erithacus (grey parrot) in Appendix I) is adopted, only those portions no longer relevant should be deleted, while text on con-servation and combatting illegal trade should be retained; only one workshop has been held, and no regional man-agement plans have been developed for the species.

SUPPORT

• SSN urges Parties to make the suggested amendment to RC 8.4 (Rev. CoP15) to clarify that domestic measures must prohibit possession of specimens obtained in viola-tion of CITES; the Secretariat has noted that the absence of such a provision is a recurrent gap in national legislation.

• Submitted by South Africa and USA.

• Notes that prior to CoP17, young leaders will convene for the Youth Forum on People and Wildlife; South Africa has established a Youth and Conservation Programme.

• Urges CoP17 to consider the reported outcomes of the Youth Forum and the Youth and Conservation Programme engagements.

• Proposes the following changes, inter alia , to Resolutions/Decisions:

• RC12.6 on Conservation and management of sharks: to include a footnote that the term “shark” is taken to include all species of sharks, skates, rays and chi-maeras, in alignment with the FAO IPOA-Sharks.

• Decisions 16.26 and 16.27 on wildlife trade policy reviews: Delete as no recent reviews.

• Decision 16.58 on timber identification and inspec-tion: Delete as work being done under Decision 15.35.

• Decision 14.81 on not including great whales in Periodic Review: Delete or include in RC 14.8 (Rev. CoP16) on Periodic Review of species included in Appendices I and II.

• Decisions 14.82-14.85 on management plans and quotas for Psittacus erithacus (grey parrot): Delete because workshop held in 2013.

• Provides status of Parties' legislative progress in implementing CITES.

• Provides suite of draft Decisions that, inter alia ,

Direct Parties with legislation in categories 2 and 3 to submit their progress on effective implementation of CITES;

Direct Secretariat to provide legal assistance to and identify priority countries in categories 2 and 3; and

Direct SC70 to take appropriate compliance procedures with respect to Parties that have failed to take appropriate measures or submit a timetable for compliance; this may include trade suspensions.

• Decision 14.19 directs SC to review proposals from the Secretariat to correct non-substantive errors in current Resolutions and Decisions; and decide whether to refer these to CoP.

• Decisions 16.33-16.38 relate to the CITES National Legislation Project, with Decision 16.37 directing SC66 to recommend trade suspensions for cer-tain Parties that have failed to adopt appropriate measures for the effective implementation of the Convention.

Continued

20. Empowering the next generation: CITES and Youth Engagement – Report of the Youth Forum on People and Wildlife

CoP17 Doc. 20

21. Review of Resolutions and Decisions

CoP17 Doc. 21

22. National laws for implementation of the Convention

CoP17 Doc. 22

43w w w . s s n . o r g


SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties adopt the proposed Decisions.

SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS

• SSN urges Parties to support the adoption of the draft Decisions with the following amendments:

Request all NIAP Parties to revise their existing NIAPs or adopt new NIAPs to ensure compliance with the NIAP Guidelines; and

Include Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Japan, Lao PDR, Mozambique, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates as NIAP Parties of primary concern (See SSN View for CoP17 Doc. 57.6).

• SSN urges Parties to support adoption of the Guidelines with amendments recommending that:

NIAPS address relevant issues regarding ivory trade identified by ICCWC members and other relevant stakeholders (para. 2 (i)(b));

NIAPS be developed in consultation with ICCWC members and other relevant stakeholders (para. 2 (i)(c)(iv));

Continued

Continued Continued

• Article XIII, on International measures, RC 11.3 (Rev. CoP16) on Compliance and enforcement and RC 14.3 on CITES compliance procedures, provide the general framework under which all CITES compliance matters are handled.

• CITES national ivory action plans (NIAPs) are a tool used by identified Parties to address high levels of elephant poaching and ivory trafficking, conceived to support Parties with the implementation of RC 10.10 (Rev. CoP16).

• International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC)’s Indicator Framework for Combating Wildlife and Forest Crime allows Parties to monitor effectiveness of their enforcement of laws against wildlife crime.

23. CITES Compliance procedures

CoP17 Doc. 23

24. National ivory action plans process

CoP17 Doc. 24 (Rev. 1)

• Suggests that CoP consider amending RC 8.4 (Rev. CoP15) on National laws for the implementation of the Convention to clarify that domestic measures that prohibit possession of specimens obtained in violation of the Convention are required.

• Provides an overview of existing compliance procedures.

• Provides draft Decisions that, inter alia:

Encourage Parties to provide Secretariat resources used to monitor compliance;

Direct SC to improve the handling of compliance matters; consider whether a Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) should be established, consider further guidance for verifying the legal acquisition of specimens; and make recommendations to CoP18; and

Direct Secretariat to organize an international workshop on tools needed to verify legal acquisition of CITES specimens; report on implementation of Article XIII and RC 14.3 to SC and CoP18.

• Provides revisions to RC 10.10 (Rev. CoP16) (Annex 1) that provide for the development, adoption and imple-mentation of NIAPs and authorize SC to make targeted recommendations.

• Provides draft Decisions (Annex 2) that:

Include Guidelines for the NIAP Process (e.g., identifying Parties for NIAPs, procedures for NIAP development, rating implementation structures for use by Parties, Secretariat and SC; steps for compliance; and timeframes for NIAP development and reporting) (Annex 3);

Include changes of status in Parties of ‘primary concern’, ‘secondary concern’ and ‘importance to watch’ and directs these Parties to implement their NIAPs;

Direct SC to ensure compliance with NIAPs; and

Direct Secretariat to submit NIAP progress reports to SC.


NIAPS include the indicators adopted at SC65 and appropriate ICCWC indicators of effective enforcement (para. 2 (i)(c)(vi));

An independent panel of experts drawn from ICCWC members be established to review progress made in implementing NIAPs and report to the SC;

SC be directed to consider the recommendations of the independent panel of experts.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties support the draft Decisions and proposed amendments to RC 11.3 (Rev. CoP16).

OPPOSE draft Resolution in Annex 1 / SUPPORT draft Decisions in Annex 2

• While actions and guidance are needed on illegal trade, the draft Resolution focuses too narrowly on community and livelihood issues. While local communities can play

Continued Continued

Continued Continued

Suggests that all NIAPs be publicly available.

Lists the status of Parties concerned by NIAPs and new NIAP Parties.

• Provides draft Decisions (Annex 1) that direct Secretariat to, inter alia:

Request ICCWC to develop guidelines to use to promote integrity and reduce corruption;

Convene a Task Force on illegal trade in CITES-listed tree species;

Prepare a report on demand reduction and community awareness strategies; and

Report on progress to SC.

• Provides amendments to RC 11.3 (Rev. CoP16) on Compliance and enforcement (Annex 2) including:

Added text underlined: “if major compliance matters...are brought to the attention of the Secretariat, the Secretariat , in consultation with the Chair of the Standing Committee and as expeditiously as possible, work with the Parties...”

Recommending, inter alia, that Parties affected by significant poaching of CITES specimens, or that have made a large seizure, request deployment of a WIST; and Parties make use of tools available through ICCWC to strengthen enforcement and prosecute criminals involved in wildlife crime.

Provides a report in response to recommendations in Decision 16.40 b) (Annexes 3 and 4), included in the proposed amendments to RC 11.3 (Rev. CoP16).

• Prepared by South Africa.

• Provides a draft Resolution (Annex 1) that, inter alia, directs Secretariat to seek funds for enforcement and urges Parties to:

Strengthen enforcement cooperation;

• Decision 16.40 directs Secretariat to:

a) Establish Wildlife Incident Support Teams (WISTs) to be dispatched at the request of a country that has been affected by significant poaching of CITES specimens, or that has made a large-scale seizure of such specimens; and

b) Report on assessment of significant seizures, the circumstances of such seizures and the follow-up actions that were taken.

25. Enforcement matters

CoP17 Doc. 25

26. Illegal international trade in wildlife

CoP17 Doc. 26

45w w w . s s n . o r g


a critical role in combatting wildlife crime, many actions need to take place in transit countries and end markets.

• Instead of a new Resolution, the concepts in sections Regarding cooperation on enforcement matters and Regarding funding to sustain interventions to address illegal wildlife trade should be incorporated into a broader approach to combatting wildlife crime as in Agenda items 22-34 to address all aspects of illegal trade in wildlife and CITES enforcement.

• While SSN supports broad-based partnerships to tackle wildlife crime, much of the draft text under Regarding com-munities, governance, incentives and sustainable use in combatting wildlife crime falls outside the scope of CITES.

• SSN urges Parties to adopt the draft Decisions in Annex 2.

SUPPORT

• SSN strongly urges the Parties to support:

Revision to RC 10.10 (CoP16) on closing domestic ivory markets, but with "recommends" replacing "urges" and language stating that closures should be implemented as soon as possible; the next section, allowing countries with open markets to regulate them, should be deleted to prevent continued laundering of illegal ivory.

Study of domestic controls for species for which trade is predominantly illegal, possibly including pangolins, rhinos, totoaba, helmeted hornbills, great apes, tigers.

Study on CITES controls for wildlife products produced from synthetic or cultured DNA, including bioengineered rhino horn; the definition of ‘readily recognizable parts and derivatives’ should cover such products.

SUPPORT

• Prohibiting and countering corruption is an essential part of the fight against illegal wildlife trade.

• SSN recommends that, in the text directed to the Secretariat (paragraph 13), “Requests” be replaced with “Directs” to ensure that such instances are reported to SC.

Submit annual reports on illegal wildlife trade;

Support livelihood options as an integral part of the response to address illegal trade in wildlife; and

Support a mechanism for communities affected by international illegal wildlife trade to have their voices heard in international policy fora.

• Provides Decisions (Annex 2) directing SC to strengthen cooperation between CITES and UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the UN Convention against Corruption.


• Proposes revisions to RC 10.10 (CoP16) urging all Parties to close their domestic ivory markets and those that have not closed their markets to put in place measures to regulate the industry.

• Provides draft Decisions directing Secretariat to undertake a study of domestic controls for specimens of CITES-listed species for which international trade is predominantly illegal; and SC to make recommenda-tions to strengthen domestic controls.

• Provides draft Decisions directing Secretariat to undertake a study to examine interpretation of RC 9.6 (Rev. CoP16) on Trade in readily recognizable parts and derivatives in relation to wildlife products pro-duced from synthetic or cultured DNA and SC, AC, PC to provide recommendations in response to the study.

• Submitted by EU and Senegal.

• Provides a draft Resolution that, inter alia,

Urges Parties to adopt measures to prohibit, prevent, detect and counter instances of corruption, particularly within CITES implementation and enforcement authorities;

27. Actions to combat wildlife trafficking

CoP17 Doc. 27

28. Prohibiting, preventing and countering corruption facilitating activities conducted in violation of the Convention

CoP17 Doc. 28

• RC 10.10 (CoP16) on Trade in elephant specimens, inter alia, urges those Parties with a domestic ivory trade to put in place measures to regulate the industry, register traders, and conduct inspections.

Continued

Continued Continued


SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that the Parties approve the draft Decisions.

SUPPORT


SUPPORT

• Inclusion of new text in RC 11.3 (Rev. CoP16) will ensure that SC Chair is informed of major compliance mat-ters when they are first brought to the attention of the Secretariat.

Requests Secretariat to report instances of corrupt practices to SC and CoP; and

SC to make recommendations on these reports, when appropriate.

• Prepared by Kenya.

• Provides Decisions that, inter alia, direct Secretariat to liaise with ICCWC regarding best practices and model domestic measures for addressing wildlife cybercrime; direct SC to establish a working group on wildlife cybercrime and consider preparing a draft Resolution on this issue for CoP18; and direct Parties to provide best practice models on regulation of online marketplaces and social media platforms.

• Submitted by Gabon, Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo (agenda items 18.2 and 30 are based on a single working document in two parts).

• Provides a suite of Decisions directing, inter alia,

Secretariat to undertake a study on illegal wildlife trade in West and Central Africa, including routes, techniques and trends;

SC69 to review the report and make recommendations to CoP18; and

Parties to provide information for the study.


• Recommends that RC 12.8 (Rev. CoP13) on Review of Significant Trade in Specimens of Appendix-II species be amended to include new paragraph in Preamble “noting that RC 4.25 (Rev. CoP14) recommends that any Party having entered a reservation with regard to any species included in Appendix I treat that species as if it were included in Appendix II for all purposes,...”

• Recommends amendment of RC 11.3 (Rev. CoP16) on Compliance and enforcement in the section “Regarding application of Article XIII”, as follows (added text underlined): “c) if major compliance mat-ters concerning particular Parties are brought to the

Continued

29. Combating wildlife cybercrime

CoP17 Doc. 29

30. Wildlife crime enforcement support in West and Central Africa

CoP17 Doc. 30

31. Implementation and enforcement of the Convention as it relates to the trade in species listed in Appendix I

CoP17 Doc. 31

• Decision 15.57 directs Parties to provide informa-tion to the Secretariat on, inter alia, website codes of conduct and trends in Internet wildlife trade.

• Countries meeting in Dakar, Senegal on 15-17 March 2016 adopted a declaration reaffirming their desire to strengthen wildlife enforcement coordination within and between West and Central African countries.2.

• Decision 16.39 directs SC to initiate a process to assess implementation and enforcement of the Convention as it relates to the trade in species listed in Appendix I, and report to CoP17.

Continued

47w w w . s s n . o r g

DOCUMENT EFFECT OF DOCUMENT SSN VIEW

attention of the Secretariat, the Secretariat, in consulta-tion with the Chair of SC and as expeditiously as possible, work with the Parties concerned to try to solve the matter and offer advice or technical assistance as required.”


• Provides a draft Resolution on Review of Trade in Animal Specimens Reported as Produced in Captivity that, inter alia:

Directs AC and SC to review biological, trade and other relevant information regarding animal species subject to significant levels of trade using source codes C, D, F or R, identify problems associated with CITES implementation in consultation with exporting countries, and propose solutions; and

Directs SC to decide on action when AC/SC recommendations are not met.

• Provides draft Decisions that, inter alia,

Direct Secretariat to review inconsistencies in the application of Article VII paras. 4 and 5 and RCs 10.16 (Rev.), 12.10 (Rev. CoP15), 11.11 (Rev. CoP15), 9.19 (Rev. CoP15) and 12.3 (Rev. CoP16) as they relate to the use of source codes R, F, D, A and C, as well as the captive breeding issues presented in document SC66 Doc. 17;

SC to review Secretariat's report and provide recommendations to CoP18; and

AC to review differences in NDFs made for specimens with source code W, R and F and provide guidance for Parties.

• Regarding draft Resolution, Secretariat recommends, inter alia, that:

Only Chairs and not all Members of AC and SC be consulted in determining whether recommendations have been met;

Eliminate AC role in: directly providing recommendations to Parties, revising recommendations when they are not met or partially met, withdrawal of trade suspensions, and receiving reports on implementation of the resolution.

SUPPORT /OPPOSE SECRETARIAT RECOMMENDATIONS

• SSN believes strongly that the misuse of codes C,D,F and R to allow laundering of wild-caught specimens into trade amounts to a fraud on the Convention, and represents a major threat to the survival of many wild species.

• SSN therefore urges Parties to strongly support the draft Resolution and Decisions submitted by the SC. This will close a significant loophole for fraudulent trade conducted with CITES permits.

• SSN urges Parties to reject recommendations of the Secretariat:

That would diminish the role of AC Members in the new process. As a scientific body, the AC will have a unique perspective on evaluating issues regarding species status, reproductive capacity and sustainability; and

That only Chairs of the AC and SC participate in decision-making. Consultation can be simplified by requesting Members to respond by a set deadline in order to eliminate any complexities.

• Decisions 16.63-16.66, inter alia, direct:

Secretariat to prepare a report on concerns regarding trade in specimens claimed to be derived from captive breeding or ranching;

AC to review report and provide recommendations to SC; and

SC to review AC recommendations and consider amendments to RC 12.8 (Rev. CoP13) on Review of Significant Trade in specimens of Appendix-II species, or RC 14.3 on CITES compliance procedures, or propose a new resolution to review these trade concerns.

Continued

32. Implementation of the Convention relating to captive-bred and ranched specimens

CoP17 Doc. 32


• Submitted by AC and PC Chairs.

• Provides proposed revisions (Annex 1) to RC 12.8 (Rev. CoP13), including, inter alia:

That reviews take place within one intersessional period;

Recommendations are only made for species classified as ‘action is needed’; and

Secretariat to consult with AC/PC Members regarding fulfilment of recommendations.

• Provides information to be included in the letter to range States (Annex 3), annex to the Secretariat’s letter (Annex 4) and guidance on formulating recom-mendations (Annex 5.

• Provides draft Decisions (Annex 2) including that the AC/PC explore country-based reviews and that the Secretariat develop a database, guide and training module related to the review process.

• Submitted by SC and prepared by Switzerland.

• Provides consolidated Resolution on Disposal Of Illegally Traded And Confiscated Specimens Of Appendix–I, -II And –III Species to replace RC Conf. 9.9, RC 9.10 (Rev. CoP15) and RC 10.7 (Rev. CoP15); also includes Annexes 1,2 and 3 of RC 10.7(Rev. CoP15).

• Provides draft Decisions that, inter alia, direct Secretariat to collect information on the usefulness of the current Annexes and provide this to SC69; SC69 to consider information and revise Annexes accordingly.

• Prepared by the Chair of SC Working Group on Special Reporting Requirements.

• Updates the work of the group and proposes amend-ments (Annexes 1-4) to RC 8.13 (Rev.) on Use of coded-microchip implants for marking live animals in trade; RC 11.8 (Rev. CoP13) on Conservation of and control of trade in the Tibetan antelope [report seizures to Secretariat]; RC 11.11 (Rev. CoP15)


• SSN recommends that the SC adopt the proposed revisions except under Stage 3: Categorization and Recommendations by the Animals or Plants Committee. SSN recommends introducing language indicating what is to happen to spe-cies that cannot be recategorised but remain of ‘unknown status’. Such species should be retained in the process (rather than be eliminated from it) as ‘action is needed’ (according to the precationary principle) or until they can be recategorized, with the AC/PC taking steps to resolve the lack of information, including issuing appropriate recom-mendations to the Party involved.

• Also in Stage 3, paragraph k), subparagraph i), SSN rec-ommends insertion of “with the members of the Standing Committee through its Chair” in place of “with the Chairman of the Standing Committee” so that members of the SC are involved in determining if recommendations have been met.

SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENT

• SSN urges Parties to ensure that the following pream-bular text from RC 9.9 is reinserted into the consolidation: “RECOGNIZING that the return by the importing Party to the State of export or re-export of specimens that have been traded in violation of the Convention may result in such specimens being entered into illegal trade unless measures are taken by the Parties concerned to prevent this”.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that the Parties adopt the amendments to Resolutions, draft Decisions, and recommendations of the Secretariat.

33. Evaluation of the Review of Significant Trade

CoP17 Doc. 33

34. Disposal of illegally-traded and confiscated specimens of Appendix-I, -II and -III species

CoP17 Doc. 34

35. Review of reporting requirements

35.1 Report of the Standing Committee

CoP17 Doc. 35.1

• Decision 13.67 (Rev. CoP14) includes Terms of Reference for an evaluation of the Review of Significant Trade.

• The evaluation resulted in agreement to revise RC 12.8 (Rev. CoP13) on Review of Significant Trade in specimens of Appendix-II species.

• Decision 16.47 directs SC to review RC 9.9 on Confiscation of specimens exported or re-exported in violation of the Convention, RC 9.10 (Rev. CoP15) on Disposal of confiscated and accumulated speci-mens, and RC 10.7 (Rev. CoP15) on Disposal of con-fiscated live specimens of species included in the Appendices, with a view to determining whether to consolidate any of their provisions or simplify their provisions, and report to CoP17.

Continued

49w w w . s s n . o r g


SUPPORT IN PART

• Given that the SC Working Group on Special Reporting Requirements recently completed a major review of CITES reporting requirements, SSN recommends that fur-ther review of reporting requirements not be considered until CoP18.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that the Parties extend the related Decisions with the amendments from the Secretariat.

on Regulation of trade in plants; and RC 12.7 (Rev. CoP16) on Conservation of and trade in sturgeons and paddlefish [delete requirement to provide permit copies to UNEP-WCMC].

• Provides draft Decisions directing Secretariat to list reporting requirements on CITES website and to pre-pare an analysis of progress on the CITES Strategic Vision: 2008-2020.

• Regarding the new annual illegal trade report adopted at SC66, Secretariat proposes amendments to RC 11.17 (Rev. CoP16) on National reports urging Parties to submit their reports; and Decisions directing Secretariat to report to SC on establishment of a global framework for managing illegal trade data and Secretariat to provide recommendations to CoP18.

• Reports that a special report format was published in Notification to the Parties No. 2014/050.

• Provides draft Decisions directing Secretariat to:

Continue collaborating with Secretariats of other Conventions to facilitate streamlining of reporting, including ways to reduce the burden of reporting on Parties; and

Publish outcomes resulting from implementation of the CITES Strategic Vision and its indicators including through a graphic presentation on the CITES website.

• Prepared by SC in collaboration with the Secretariat.

• Recommends that the Parties extend the validity of Decisions 16.48, 16.49, 16.50 and 16.51.

• Secretariat recommends that Decisions be amended to direct Secretariat to:

Approach Parties bilaterally regarding their implementation of the provision on chartering arrangements; and

Continued

• Decision 16.46 directed Secretariat to, inter alia,

Continue collaborating with Secretariats of other Conventions to facilitate streamlining of reporting;

Support efforts of SC, AC and PC to publish a graphic presentation of information on implementation of the CITES Strategic Vision indicators; and

Develop a special report format for use by Parties to provide statistical information for 2013 on: administrative measures for CITES-related violations; significant seizures, confiscations and forfeitures of CITES specimens; criminal prosecutions or other court actions; and disposal of confiscated specimens.

• Decisions 16.48-16.51, inter alia, direct: the Secretariat to report to SC on implementation of the provision on chartering arrangements provided for in RC 14.6 (Rev. CoP16) on Introduction from the Sea; and SC to assess the report and propose amendments to the provision if relevant.

35.2 Report of the Secretariat

CoP17 Doc. 35.2

36. Introduction from the sea

CoP17 Doc. 36

Continued


• Decision 14.54 (Rev. CoP16) establishes an inter-sessional joint working group to review the use of purpose-of-transaction codes by Parties.

• Trade in ivory from extinct members of the order Proboscidea (including woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius)) is not regulated by CITES.

• Large quantities of mammoth ivory have entered international trade in recent years, particularly for sale in China where prices have increased significantly.

• Forensic techniques allow mammoth ivory to be distinguished from elephant ivory, but these require expertise and are not always definitive.

• CITES Article VII, paragraph 3, exempts “personal and household effects” from the provisions of Articles III, IV and V; non-detriment findings (NDFs) are not required for international trade in such specimens.

• RC 13.7 (Rev. CoP16) on Control of trade in personal and household effects provides (Annex 1, paragraph 11) that under certain conditions hunting trophies can be traded internationally under the personal and household effects exemption; NDFs are not required for export of such specimens.

• RC 9.21 (Rev CoP13) on Interpretation and applica-tion of quotas for species

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties approve the proposed amendments.

SUPPORT

• Elephant ivory has been falsely labelled as mammoth ivory to avoid both CITES regulation and Chinese domestic legislation.3

• Mammoth ivory trade, if improperly regulated, facilitates laundering of elephant ivory.

• Greater scrutiny, including training in forensic identifica-tion techniques, is needed in order to prevent elephant ivory from being falsely traded as mammoth.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties support the draft Resolution, the proposed changes to RC 13.7 (Rev. CoP16), and the draft Decisions.

Monitor the negotiations on the development of an international legally-binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), and report on the process to SC.


• Proposes minor amendments to Decision14.54 (Rev. CoP16) to continue work under this Decision.

• Submitted by Israel.

• Draft Resolution, inter alia:

• Urges Parties to: enact legislation requiring evidence that ivory labelled as mammoth is correctly identified, subject to seizure; establish criminal penalties for falsely labelling elephant ivory as mammoth; educate merchants and the public; consider domestic trade bans on mammoth ivory; and

• Directs Secretariat to include training on identification of mammoth and elephant ivory in training sessions.

• Draft Decisions, inter alia, direct Secretariat to con-vene a workshop on ivory identification and update the Identification Guide for Ivory and Ivory Substitutes.

Submitted by EU.

• Provides a draft Resolution that would establish con-ditions for export of hunting trophies of species listed in CITES Appendix I or II, including decisions based on sound biological data.

• Proposes amending RC 13.7 (Rev. CoP16) on Control of trade in personal and household effects so that hunting trophies would no longer qualify for the per-sonal and household effects exemption under CITES Article VII, paragraph3.

• Provides draft Decisions that, inter alia, direct AC to:

37. Purpose codes on CITES permits and certificates

CoP17 Doc. 37

38. Identification of elephant and mammoth ivory in trade

CoP17 Doc. 38

39. Hunting trophies

39.1 Hunting trophies of species listed in Appendix I or II

CoP17 Doc. 39.1

Continued Continued

Continued

51w w w . s s n . o r g


Review trophy export quotas established by CoP and recommend changes to RC 10.14 (Rev. CoP16) regarding leopards, RC 9.21 (Rev. CoP13), and other related resolutions; and

Provide species-specific guidance on “harvest and export” of hunting trophies of African lion (Panthera leo).

• Submitted by South Africa.

• Provides a draft Resolution that, inter alia, recom-mends that the Scientific Authority of the importing country accept the NDF of the exporting country unless data indicate otherwise; importing countries consider socio-economic benefits of hunting as incentives for conservation when considering stricter domestic measures on trophy imports; and countries taking stricter domestic measures on trophies first consult with range States.


• Provides amendments to RC 11.20 to include, as part of the definition of ‘appropriate and acceptable desti-nations’, a requirement that the Scientific Authorities of the States of import and export are satisfied that the trade would support in situ conservation, such as through cooperative measures between the States of import and export; and that any permit authorizing trade of live rhinoceroses or elephants under an ‘appropriate and acceptable destinations’ annotation will contain a condition stating that the rhino horn or ivory from those animals and from their offspring may not enter commercial trade, and that those animals and their offspring may not be sport hunted.

OPPOSE

• Resolution would infringe on sovereign right of Parties to take stricter domestic measures, allowed under CITES Article XIV.

• There is no requirement under CITES that the Scientific Authority of an importing country accept the NDF of an exporting country; countries decide on what they allow to be imported based on their domestic legislation, subject to the requirements of CITES and other international agreements.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that this language be strengthened with the following amendments:

(add to paragraph a)): “...the proposed recipient of a living specimen can provide an environment consistent with biological, ecological, behavioural, and health needs of the specimen and is suitably equipped...”;

(add to paragraph b)): the Scientific Authorities of the State of import and the State of export are satisfied have taken steps to ensure that the trade would support in situ conservation by agreeing to limit trade to specimens destined for established in situ conservation programmes, such as and through cooperative measures...”; and

(add to new paragraph AGREES): “...from those animals and from their offspring descendants may not enter commercial trade and that those animals and their offspring descendants may not be sport hunted” in order to ensure that this protection extends to subsequent generations.

ContinuedContinued

• included in Appendix I agrees that Parties wishing to establish an export quota for species on Appendix I should seek CoP approval.

• CITES has established export quotas for hunting trophies of leopards (RC 10.14 (Rev CoP16)), markhor (RC 10.15 (Rev. CoP14)), and black rhino (RC 13.5 (Rev. CoP14).

• CITES Article IV states that, for specimens of species listed on Appendix II, “An export permit shall only be granted when …a Scientific Authority of the State of export has advised that such export will not be detri-mental to the survival of that species”;

• CITES Article XIV, paragraph1, states, “The provisions of the present Convention shall in no way affect the right of Parties to adopt stricter domestic measures regarding the conditions for trade, taking, posses-sion or transport of specimens of species included in Appendices I, II and III…”

• Populations of southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) in South Africa and Swaziland and populations of African elephant (Loxodonta africana) in Botswana and Zimbabwe are listed in Appendix II with an annotation for the pur-pose, inter alia, of allowing international trade in live animals to “appropriate and acceptable destinations”.

• RC 11.20 on Definition of the term 'appropriate and acceptable destinations' defines “appropriate and acceptable destinations” as “destinations where the Scientific Authority of the State of import is satisfied that the proposed recipient of a living specimen is suitably equipped to house and care for it.”

39.2 Trade in hunting trophies of species listed on Appendix II

CoP17 Doc. 39.2

40. International trade in live Appendix-II animals to appropriate and acceptable destinations

CoP17 Doc. 40


• Submitted by Ukraine.

• Provides a draft Resolution on Identification of Origin of Cetaceans Bred or Kept in Captivity that, inter alia, recommends that Parties provide for the identification through genetic markers of the specimens bred or kept in captivity of Tursiops truncatus; and establish on a national or regional basis, and register with the CITES Secretariat, central repositories where the rel-evant genetic identification data are stored.

• Submitted by the EU.

• Provides proposed amendments to RC 16.8 on Frequent cross-border non-commercial movements of musical instruments that, inter alia, expand the use of musical instrument certificates for instruments that are not personally owned, and allows those other than the legal owner to travel with the instrument if it is accompanied by a copy of a loan agreement between legal owner and current holder.

• Submitted by China, Georgia, Indonesia and Kuwait.

• Provides a draft Decision directing PC to:

Assess the applicability and utility of the current definition of ‘artificial propagation’ outlined in RC 11.11 (Rev. CoP15) with reference to the terms ‘artificial propagation’ and ‘under controlled conditions’; and

Consider if RC 11.11 (Rev. CoP15) and other relevant RCs require amendment.

• Noting that CoP17 Doc. 53.1 relates to the applica-bility of the current definition of artificial propagation for CITES-listed tree species, Secretariat recommends that the Decision be limited to non-tree plant taxa.

• Provides draft Decisions (Annex 1) that, inter alia, direct SC to re-establish the Working Group on Electronic Systems and Information Technologies in order to col-laborate with UNEP-WCMC on their development of the

SUPPORT

• The Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic area (ACCOBAMS), the regional conservation body for the Black Sea bottlenose dolphin, has expressed concerns that live removals and international trade in wild speci-mens, often recorded as captive-bred, have continued since the zero export quota was established.4

• ACCOBAMS has stressed the value of genetic analysis in identifying the origin of cetacean specimens and reducing fraud linked to the use of microchips.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that the Parties adopt the proposed amendments.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties support adoption of the draft Decision as amended by the Secretariat.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that the Parties support the adoption of the draft Decisions.

41. Identification of origin of cetaceans bred or kept in captivity

CoP17 Doc. 41

42. Draft revision of Resolution Conf. 16.8 on Frequent cross-border non-commercial movements of musical instruments

CoP17 Doc. 42

43. Review of the definition of ‘artificially propagated’ for plants

CoP17 Doc. 43

44. Electronic systems and information technologies

CoP17 Doc. 44

• A zero annual export quota has been established for live specimens from the Black Sea population of Tursiops truncatus removed from the wild and traded for primarily commercial purposes.

• RC 16.8 on Frequent cross-border non-commercial movements of musical instruments provides for use of musical instrument certificates for the movement of musical instruments that are personally owned.

• RC 11.11 (Rev. CoP15) on Regulation of trade in plants provides the definition of ‘artificially propa-gated’ and related terms.

• Decision 16.54 provides the mandate for Working Group on Information Technologies and Electronic Systems.

• SC66 agreed to invite the CoP to re-establish the Working Group on Information Technologies and Electronic Systems. Continued

53w w w . s s n . o r g


SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that the Parties support adoption of the draft Decisions.

• SSN agrees that reptile skin trade should not be singled out in the proposed Decisions.

OPPOSE

• SSN is concerned that the proposed Decision seems to sug-gest that recommendations regarding stockpiles might be overly burdensome.

• SSN notes that only three of the referenced Resolutions/Decisions require the Secretariat to receive stockpile infor-mation. Others involve recommendations on stockpile man-agement and control by Parties on a national level.

• Control and management of stockpiles is key to ensuring that specimens from stockpiles are not allowed to enter illegal trade.

Electronic Permit Information eXchange (EPIX) system as a conduit for the exchange of CITES permits and certificates; and SC to review work of the group and provide its recommendations to CoP18.

• Provides draft Decisions from SC66 on traceability with edits from the Secretariat that, inter alia:

Direct SC to consider traceability issues and provide a draft Resolution on traceability to CoP18;

Invite Parties to support SC work on traceability; and

Direct Secretariat to develop a portal on the CITES website on traceability, and commission a report on standards for traceability to provide to SC.

• Provides UNCTAD Assessment Study on Traceability Systems for CITES -listed Non-timber Plant Species: Ornamental Plants in the Andean Region (Annex 1).


• Provides proposed edits to the draft Decisions on traceability agreed by SC66 (Annex 1), including spe-cific mention of traceability for reptile skins.

• Describes progress on a biometric traceability system for reptile skins (Annex 2).

• Secretariat states that the proposed Decisions relate to traceability for all species and that reptile skins should not be singled out; and that further amend-ments to the draft Decisions are proposed.

• Provides draft Decision directing SC to review existing provisions agreed on by Parties concerning controls on stocks of specimens of CITES-listed species; consider their objectives and implementation and resource implications for Parties and the Secretariat; and report to CoP18.

45. Traceability

CoP17 Doc. 45

46. Pilot testing of a global traceability information system for reptile skins

CoP17 Doc. 46

47. Stocks and stockpiles of specimens of CITES-listed species

CoP17 Doc. 47

• Decision 16.56 encourages Parties to consider incor-porating taxonomic serial numbers in their trade management systems and provide comments to the Secretariat.

• Decision 16.57 directs Secretariat to compile these comments and make recommendations to the SC and report to CoP17.

• SC66 agreed to submit a draft Decision on traceability to CoP17.

• See Background/Current Status under CoP17 Doc. 45.

• Resolutions and Decisions that include text on stocks and stockpiles include those applying to Asian big cats (RC 12.5 (Rev. CoP16)), elephants (RC 10.10 (Rev. CoP16)), Malagasy timber (Decision 16.152), rhinoceros (RC 9.14 (Rev. CoP15)), saiga antelope (Decisions 14.91 (Rev. CoP16) and 16.96), sturgeon and paddlefish (RC 12.7 (Rev. CoP16)) and Tibetan antelope (RC 11.8 (Rev. CoP13)).

Continued


SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties support adoption of the draft Decisions in order to strengthen the development and use of tools and technologies to address illicit traf-ficking of timber.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that the Parties support this effort to combine CITES work on capacity building and identifica-tion of specimens in trade.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that the Parties support the Decisions, with the amendments from the Secretariat.

• Prepared by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

• Provides draft Decisions that, inter alia, direct PC to:

Determine, for all CITES-listed tree species, the locations and availability of existing reference samples or collections, and identify priorities in addressing gaps; and

Work with interested Parties to identify, collect and curate reference samples, and facilitate exchange to make them available.

• Submitted by AC and PC Chairs, in cooperation with Secretariat.

• Provides draft Decisions, inter alia, directing AC and PC to establish a Working Group on Capacity-building and Identification Materials that will review:

Existing capacity-building and identification materials;

UNEP-WCMC project proposal on Improvements to the CITES identification materials: Options to promote accuracy and availability of identification material to the Parties to CITES; and

RC 3.4 on Technical Cooperation and RC 11.19 (Rev. CoP16) on Identification Manual.


• Provides draft Decisions that, inter alia, direct Secretariat to develop a CITES cheetah trade resource kit including procedures for live seizures, and to engage social media platforms, search engines and e-commerce platforms to address illegal international trade in cheetahs.

• Secretariat recommends amendments to draft Decisions including a direction that work on social media and Internet commerce relate to all CITES spe-cies in illegal trade, not only cheetahs.

48. Identification of specimens in trade

48.1 Timber identification

CoP17 Doc. 48.1

48.2 Identification Manual

CoP17 Doc. 48.2

49. Illegal trade in cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)

CoP17 Doc. 49

• Decisions 16.59-16.61, inter alia, direct AC and PC to establish an intersessional working group to review CITES identification and guidance materials, Secretariat to issue a Notification requesting Parties to submit such materials for consideration by the Group, and Parties to submit requested information.

• Decisions 16.71-16.75 direct SC to review a study on illegal cheetah trade and make recommendations to CoP17.

• A workshop on illegal cheetah trade was held November 2015 and developed recommendations for SC66.

55w w w . s s n . o r g


SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that the Parties adopt the proposed amendments to RC 12.7 (Rev. CoP16).

SUPPORT

• Demand for unlisted Anguilla species in the Americas, Asia and Africa, has grown since the zero export quota for A. anguilla was established.

• Primary demand is for juvenile eels for farms in Asia.

SUPPORT

• International trade in raw and worked coral has expanded and demand for precious corals has increased; reports from 2015 indicate prices in the Chinese market have risen 500% in the last 3 years.

• Slow growth, fragmented populations and limited dispersal ability make precious corals vulnerable to overexploitation.


• Proposes amendments to RC 12.7 (Rev. CoP16) (Annex 1) that, inter alia:

Recommend that Parties register “facilities producing caviar” rather than “caviar processing plants,” and distinguish processing plants from repacking plants;

Delete the requirement that Parties supply caviar permits to UNEP-WCMC; and

Include a new Annex 3 to the RC listing Parties from which imports should not be permitted.

• SC recommends that CoP review Decisions 16.136-16.138 and decide if they can be deleted or extended.

• Submitted by EU.

• Provides draft Decisions that, inter alia, direct Secretariat to undertake a study and workshops on listed and unlisted Anguilla species (freshwater eels); AC to review studies and information from range States and make recommendations to CoP18; SC to make recommendations on illegal European eel trade.


• Provides draft Decisions that direct, inter alia, Secretariat to produce a report on status and trade of CITES and non-CITES listed precious coral species (black, red, and pink coral species including species within the order Antipatharia, and family Coralliidae) including responses to a questionnaire from range States; AC to provide recommendations to SC; and SC to make recommendations to CoP18.

• Provides draft questionnaire.

• RC 12.7 (Rev. CoP16) on Conservation of and trade in sturgeons and paddlefish directs AC to monitor prog-ress of RC and report to SC.

• Anguilla anguilla (European eel) is listed on Appendix II with a zero export quota; other Anguilla spp. are not listed.

• Some Anguilla spp. are classified by IUCN (2016) as Critically Endangered (1 species), Endangered (2), Vulnerable (1), and Near Threatened (5).

• Black corals (Order Antipatharia) have been listed in Appendix II since 1981.

• In 2008, China included four species of red coral (Corallium spp.) in Appendix III.

50. Sturgeons and paddlefish (Acipenseriformes spp.)

CoP17 Doc. 50

51. Conservation of and trade in Anguilla spp.

CoP17 Doc. 51

52. Review of precious corals in international trade [Order Antipatharia/family Coralliidae]

CoP17 Doc. 52

53. Agarwood-producing taxa (Aquilaria spp. and Gyrinops spp.)


• Submitted by PC.


Direct PC to assess the applicability of the current definitions of artificial propagation in RC 10.13 (Rev. CoP15) and RC 11.11 (Rev. CoP15); monitor the implementation of RC 16.10 to assess conservation impacts for agarwood-producing species; and report to CoP18; and

Invite agarwood range, transit, consumer and producer Parties to publish identification manuals on these products.

• Noting that the workshop was held in January 2015, recommends that Decision 15.95 (Rev. CoP16) be deleted.

• Provides draft Decisions (Annex 1) with amendments from the Secretariat that, inter alia, direct:Secretariat to organize a follow-up workshop on agarwood man-agement; range States to compile information on illegal harvest and trade of agarwood and report information to workshop; Secretariat to report to PC on implemen-tation of these Decisions; and PC to report to CoP18.


• Recommends extending existing Decisions, with SC reporting to CoP18.

• Reports that 6-10 tons per year of live humphead wrasse have been exported from Indonesia to Hong Kong SAR in recent years, all without permits, sourced from facili-ties where wild-caught juveniles are ‘grown out’; facili-ties currently hold 300,000 individuals. FAO is assisting Indonesia with a management plan for these facilities.

• Secretariat provides a draft Decision directing Secretariat to work with FAO on its management plan for Indonesia.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties adopt the draft Decisions.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties adopt the draft Decisions as amended by the Secretariat.

SUPPORT

• Collection for trade continues to threaten the species; increased efforts are needed to bring trade under control.

• SSN recommends that Parties consider adopting a Decision to include C. undulatus in the Periodic Review, as it likely qualifies for listing on Appendix I.

53.1 Implementation of the Convention for agarwood-producing taxa

CoP17 Doc. 53.1

53.2 Sustainable production of agarwood-producing taxa (Aquilaria spp. and Gyrinops spp.)

CoP17 Doc. 53.2

54. Humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus)

CoP17 Doc. 54

55. Ebonies (Diospyros spp.) and palisanders and rosewoods (Dalbergia spp.)

• PC21 agreed to submit a Decision to CoP17 to renew the mandate of the Working Group on Plantations and Artificial Propagation of Tree Species.

• Definition and description of ‘artificial propaga-tion’ are provided in RC 10.13 (Rev. CoP15) on Implementation of the Convention for timber species and RC 11.11 (Rev. CoP15) on Regulation of trade in plants.

• Decision 15.95 (Rev. CoP16) directs Secretariat to organize a workshop on management of wild and plantation-source agarwood.

• Decisions 16.139, 15.87 (Rev. CoP16) and 16.140, inter alia, direct Parties to implement the Appendix II listing for C. undulatus, SC to develop recommen-dations for improving the regulation of international trade in the species, and the IUCN Groupers and Wrasses Specialist Group to assist in making NDFs for the species.

• C. undulatus is classified as Endangered (IUCN 2004).

57w w w . s s n . o r g


• No comment.


• SSN recommends that Parties adopt the draft Decisions, but only if key elements of the Action Plan are retained, including:

SC approval of results of a stockpile audit and use plan is required before trade is reopened (para. 4 of Action Plan); and

Requirement for establishment of enforcement mechanisms before trade is reopened (para. 5 of Action Plan).

• The current Madagascar trade suspension is due to failure to fulfill paragraph 5.; thus it is odd that the draft Decisions do not include paragraph 5 requirements.

• Management of stockpiles in source, transit and destina-tion counties is critical. Although significant seizures of Malagasy timber have been made in Hong Kong (2015) and Singapore (2014), unfortunately, both have been or are set to be released into trade in the near future. SSN recommends amending the Decision to direct Secretariat to identify key source, transit and destination countries and require these Parties to submit their action plans to Secretariat for reporting to SC.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties support adoption of the draft Decisions, and include an additional Decision directing AC to consider information from Secretariat and Parties and make recommendations to SC.

• No document.

• Recommends that Decision 16.152, including the Action Plan, be replaced with new draft Decisions (Annex 2) that, inter alia:

Clarify responsibilities and to whom actions are directed;

Urge action by source, transit and destination Parties, including development of action plans for management of stockpiles:

Delink the requirement for an SC approved stockpile audit and use plan and opening of legal trade; and

Delete requirement that Madagascar establish enforcement mechanisms to assist in implementation of stockpile control and opening of legal trade.

• Prepared by Secretariat with AC Chair, at the request of SC.

• Provides draft Decisions (Annex 1) that, inter alia, direct:

Secretariat to provide a summary of information on trade in CITES-listed sharks and rays to AC, and continue collaboration with FAO Secretariat; and

SC to consider information from Secretariat and AC and provide guidance concerning: legislative matters that might arise in exporting, transit or consumer countries; matters relating to legal acquisition and introduction from the sea, catch

Continued

55.1 Action plan for Diospyros spp. and Dalbergia spp.: report from Madagascar

55.2 Implementation of the Convention for trade in Malagasy ebonies (Diospyros spp.) and palisanders and rosewoods (Dalbergia spp.)

CoP17 Doc. 55.2

56. Sharks and rays

56.1 Report from the Secretariat

CoP17 Doc. 56.1

• See Background/Current status for CoP17 Doc. 55.2.

• Malagasy Diospyros spp. and Dalbergia spp. were listed in Appendix II in 2013.

• Decision 16.152 includes an Action plan for Malagasy Diospyros spp. and Dalbergia spp. that, inter alia, requires Madagascar to put in place an embargo on exports until the SC has approved results of a stock-pile audit and use plan.

• SC66 recommended that all Parties suspend com-mercial trade in Dalbergia spp. and Diospyros spp. from Madagascar until it fulfils the requirements under paragraph 5 of the Action Plan, and recommen-dations b) and c) adopted by SC55 (CITES Notification No. 2016/19).

• RC 12.6 (Rev. CoP16) on Conservation and manage-ment of sharks, inter alia, directs AC to examine new information on trade and other relevant data and information, and report at CoPs.


documentation and product certification schemes; and related provisions of CITES and other relevant multilateral environmental agreements.

• Prepared by AC.

• Agrees that AC’s priority is to assist with the imple-mentation of CITES Appendix II listings of commer-cially-exploited sharks and rays following CoP16; and

• Recommends that SC recognize problems of species identification, look-alike issues and traceability, including for Manta and Mobula rays and for hammerhead shark species.

• Provides an update on issues addressed under RC 10.10 (Rev. CoP16), including related recommenda-tions from SC65 (Annex 1).

• Provides draft Decisions (Annex 2) that direct:

Range States of Asian elephants to, inter alia, investigate illegal trade, ensure that trade is in compliance with CITES, develop a regional system for registration and marking of live Asian elephants, and report to SC as requested; and

Secretariat to develop guidance for the management of ivory stockpiles.

• Provides draft amendments to RC 10.10 (Rev. CoP16) (Annex 3) that, inter alia, direct Secretariat to report to CoP on MIKE/ETIS data and, prior to each SC, invite UNEP-WCMC to provide an overview of trade in elephant specimens and IUCN/SSC African and Asian Elephant Specialist Groups to submit new and relevant information on the conservation status of elephants, and recommend actions for SC.

• Provides a report by IUCN (Annexes 4 and 5) on Illegal trade in live Asian elephants that reports that illegal trade of specimens from the wild and captive populations con-tinues across range States, and that such trade is not monitored and is not an enforcement priority for officials.

Continued

• SSN recommends that Parties note this document.


• Regarding the draft Decisions on Asian elephants, SSN recommends that the Parties:

• Amend draft Decision 17.AA (e) as follows: “at the request of the Secretariat, provide information on the implementa-tion of this Decision for reporting by the Secretariat to the Standing Committee at least 60 days prior to its meeting;”

• Adopt an additional Decision directing SC68 to establish an intersessional WG comprising Asian elephant range States, other Parties, inter-governmental and non-gov-ernmental organisations and other experts to support the implementation of Decision 17.AA a)-d) as required and

• Adopt an additional Decision directing SC to consider the reports from the range States in addition to other informa-tion and develop recommendations; and report to CoP18.

See Background/Current status under CoP17 Doc. 56.1.

• RC 10.10 (Rev. CoP16), inter alia, directs SC to review actions taken by Parties to implement provisions of this Resolution, particularly – but not limited to – the provisions concerning trade in elephant specimens, and to report to each CoP.

56.2 Report from the Animals Committee

CoP17 Doc. 56.2

57. Elephants

57.1 Implementation of Resolution Conf. 10.10 (Rev. CoP16) on Trade in elephant specimens

CoP17 Doc. 57.1

59w w w . s s n . o r g


• Submitted by Angola, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Niger and Senegal.

• Provides a draft Resolution on Closure of Domestic Markets for Elephant Ivory that, inter alia, recommends that Parties close domestic markets for ivory and directs Parties to report implementation of this RC to SC.

• Notes that “...applicable sections of RC 10.10 (Rev. CoP16), under “Regarding trade in elephant speci-mens”, should be amended accordingly.”

• Submitted by Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal.

• Proposes amendments to RC 10.10 that, inter alia:

Direct SC to determine what actions are necessary for Parties who fail to provide annual inventories of ivory stockpiles;

Recommend that Parties with stockpiles destroy them, and establish protocols to destroy ivory acquired in future;

SUPPORT

• Most African elephant range States support the closure of domestic ivory markets.

• Domestic ivory markets create a significant opportunity for the laundering of illegal ivory.

• Recent surveys in China show that a domestic ivory trade ban would discourage consumers from buying the product.5

• Many Parties (e.g. China (including Hong Kong SAR), USA, France and Angola, have announced that they have taken, or will take, steps to close their legal domestic ivory markets completely.

• The ETIS report (Doc. 57.6) expresses concern about domestic ivory markets in several countries, including Cambodia, China (including Hong Kong SAR), Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Guinea, Japan, Laos, Philippines, Myanmar, Nigeria, Thailand and Viet Nam.

• The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) observed that: “The trade in illicit ivory is only lucrative because there is a parallel licit supply, and ivory can be sold and used openly. Ivory would lose much of its marketability if buying it were unequivocally an illegal act.”6

• A recent academic study concluded that legal domestic trade in China and Japan following the 2008 CITES one-off sales had a direct impact on supply of and demand for illegal ivory. The study documents a 66% increase in illegal ivory production.7

• CITES recommendations have addressed domestic trade where appropriate (e.g. for rhinos, Tibetan antelopes, tigers and elephants).

SUPPORT

• Stockpiles can be a source of ivory entering the illegal market. Thefts from allegedly “secure” stockpiles have enabled ivory trafficking; from 2000 to 2015 there were at least 14 incidents of theft of government-owned ivory in 12 countries.8

• Stockpile destructions reduce the burden of maintaining, storing and securing ivory and send an important mes-sage to potential consumers about the social and envi-

ContinuedContinued

57.2 Closure of domestic markets for elephant ivory

CoP17 Doc. 57.2

57.3 Ivory stockpiles: proposed revision of Resolution Conf. 10.10 (Rev. CoP16) on Trade in elephant specimens

CoP17 Doc. 57.3

• RC 10.10 (CoP16) on Trade in elephant specimens, inter alia, urges those Parties with a domestic ivory trade to put in place measures to regulate the industry, register traders, and conduct inspections.

• Several high-level government declarations and ini-tiatives, including a UNGA Resolution and the London Declaration, call for demand reduction; the Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI), the Cotonou Declaration and the Montreux Elephant manifesto call for closure of domestic ivory markets.

• RC 10.10 (Rev. CoP16), inter alia, urges Parties to maintain an inventory of stockpiles of ivory and inform the Secretariat of the level of these stockpiles each year.

• From 2011 to 10 May 2016 there have been at least 26 stockpile destructions in 20 countries and one territory.


ronmental costs of ivory purchases. Further destructions would benefit from support by CITES and technical guide-lines to encourage best practice.

SUPPORT

• The IUCN SSC African Elephant Specialist Group has stated: “Believing there to be no direct benefit for in situ conservation of African elephants, the African Elephant Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission does not endorse the removal of African elephants from the wild for any captive use."9

• The capture of wild African elephants causes trauma and psychological disruption in the captured animals and their family members.10

• Nonetheless, according to CITES trade data, from 2005 to 2014 70 live wild-caught elephants were exported from African range States for ex situ purposes.

• In July 2015, 24 young wild-caught elephants were separated from their family groups and exported from Zimbabwe to China for zoo purposes; in March 2016, 17 wild-caught elephants were exported from Swaziland to USA for zoo purposes.

• Since the publication of the MIKE report, an academic analysis of the same data11 has reportedfound evidence of a “discontinuity” in poaching coinciding with the 2008 stockpile sales and concluded that legal domestic trade in China and Japan following these sales had a direct impact on supply of and demand for illegal ivory.. The study sug-gested that “the international announcement of the legal ivory sale corresponds with an abrupt ~66% increase in illegal ivory production across two continents, and a pos-sible ten-fold increase in its trend.”

• SSN is very concerned that PIKE levels remain high across several MIKE regions.

• Of the correlations documented by MIKE, SSN believes that 'global demand for ivory' is the most relevant factor

Direct Secretariat to provide best practices on stockpile management and destruction, including DNA sampling.

• Provides draft Decisions that, inter alia, direct SC to review the foregoing new provisions and decide if action is necessary; and review best practices pro-vided by Secretariat.

• Submitted by Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Kenya, Mali, Niger and Senegal.

• Proposes amendments to RC 10.10 that, inter alia, agree that:

Removal of elephants from their social groups is neither appropriate nor acceptable; and

The only recipients of live elephants taken from the wild that should be regarded as “appropriate and acceptable” and “suitably equipped to house and care for” them are in situ conservation programmes or secure areas in the wild within the species’ range.

• Report does not include 2016 data and data for 2015 are limited because of a decline in reporting sites in that year.

• Reports:

The estimated number of elephants illegally killed annually in Africa between 2010 and 2015 was tens of thousands;

Poaching remained high in 2015. Although average poaching levels have declined and stabilized since 2011, they remain higher than they were in the 2000s;

MIKE sites in Benin, DRC, Mozambique and Tanzania show PIKE levels higher than 0.7. The PIKE level in the Ruaha-Rungwa site in Tanzania increased by 28%, from 0.58 to 0.74);

• CITES Article III, paragraph 3(b) requires, for trade in live Appendix I specimens, that the SA of the State of import “is satisfied that the proposed recipient of a living specimen is suitably equipped to house and care for it.”

• RC 10.10 (Rev. CoP16), inter alia, recommends “that all elephant range States have in place legislative, regulatory, enforcement, or other measures to pre-vent illegal trade in live elephants.”

• African elephant populations of Botswana and Zimbabwe are currently listed in Appendix II with an annotation per-mitting “trade in live animals to appropriate and accept-able destinations,” as defined in RC 11.20.

• RC 11.20 defines an ‘appropriate and acceptable’ des-tination as one “where the SA of the State of Import is satisfied that the proposed recipient of a living spec-imen is suitably equipped to house and care for it.”

• RC 10.10 (Rev. CoP16) establishes the CITES MIKE programme.

• MIKE data is analyzed using PIKE (Proportion of Illegally Killed Elephants), a measure of the propor-tion of elephant mortality resulting from illegal killing, measured on a country-by-country basis.

• PIKE levels above 0.5 mean that more than half of elephants found dead were deemed to have been illegally killed.

57.4 Trade in live elephants: Proposed revision of Resolution Conf. 10.10 (Rev. CoP16) on Trade in elephant specimens

CoP17 Doc. 57.4

57.5 Report on Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE)

CoP17 Doc. 57.5

Continued Continued

ContinuedContinued

61w w w . s s n . o r g


for CITES action, particularly since ETIS identifies the domestic Chinese market as “the key driver behind illicit trade in ivory.”.

• SSN is concerned that the Secretariat produced two MIKE reports, in March and June 2016, in which a key parameter - natural mortality rates for elephants - was changed in the second report without justification. The June report omits significant information from the MIKE report to SC66,12 including the important qualification that “In some areas, a decline in PIKE may be the result of a substantial decline in the elephant population, making it more difficult for poachers to find suitable targets in such areas.”

• Legal domestic markets in China and Japan, supplied by the 2008 sale, are used to launder illegal ivory, and the legal market has stimulated demand in China.13

• SSN is concerned about changed country categoriza-tions for Thailand, DRC, Cambodia, Japan, Mozambique and UAE, despite their role in elephant poaching and ivory trafficking.14 For example, Thailand has made some prog-ress in amending its laws, but its domestic legal market and registration system for trade in new ivory remains a serious concern (because this appears to have created opportunity to legalize large amounts of illegal African elephant ivory),15 and the domestic legal market in Japan is subject to widespread abuse.16

• SSN recommends that Lao PDR, which has demonstrated little progress in combatting ivory trafficking, be identified as of primary concern; it has a significant role as a transit hub and ivory is openly available for domestic sale.17

• SSN recommends identifying countries that have failed to conduct forensic analyses of significant large-scale ivory seizures, and adopting a decision urging these countries to conduct such analyses within 90 days.

Increase in PIKE in Southern African MIKE sites, including Kruger NP in South Africa (141% increase), until recently one of three most secure sites in Africa, and in Chewore in Zimbabwe (69% increase); 33% decline in PIKE in Tsavo (Kenya);

“MIKE Programme has found no evidence that levels of elephant poaching increased or decreased as a direct result of CITES decisions concerning the trade in elephant ivory. Instead, MIKE has documented strong correlations between: poaching levels and the quality of human livelihoods at the site level; the quality of governance at the country level; and demand for ivory at the global level.”

Identifies one country, China, as the major destination for illegal ivory and the domestic Chinese market as “the key driver behind illicit trade in ivory.”

• Requests CoP to note this report.

• Analysis does not include data from 2015 and 2016.

• Reports that:

Africa’s elephants continue to face a very serious threat from illicit trade in ivory. Despite a hint of improvement, additional data will be required to confirm a meaningful decline in illicit trade; there is no cause for complacency in addressing illegal ivory trade threats to elephants.

Illegal ivory transactions rapidly increased to record high levels from 2007 through 2012/2013.

Seizures of raw ivory involving quantities of 100 kg or more remain high, with

The largest quantities since 1989 seized in the four most recent years, 2011-2014.

Parties have failed to implement Decision 16.83; only 11 of the 61 large-scale ivory seizures reported to ETIS (18%) between June 2011 and 2014 have been assessed forensically.

Implementation of National Ivory Action Plans (NIAPs) is incomplete.

Continued Continued

• RC 10.10 (Rev. CoP16) establishes the Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS), that provides data on illegal ivory trade.

• The central component of ETIS is a database on sei-zures of elephant specimens since 1989.

• The objectives of ETIS (RC 10.10) include “assessing whether and to what extent observed trends are related to: measures concerning elephants and trade in elephant specimens taken under the auspices of CITES; changes in the listing of elephant populations in the CITES Appendices; or the conduct of legal inter-national trade in ivory.”

• Decision 16.83 directed that “Parties involved in large scale ivory seizures (i.e. 500 kg or more) should col-lect samples from the ivory seized within 90 days of the seizure and, if possible, from all large seizures from the past 24 months. They should submit the samples for analysis to begin immediately to appro-priate forensic-analysis facilities capable of reliably determining the origin of the ivory samples, with the aim of addressing the entire crime chain.”

57.6 Report on the Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS)

CoP17 Doc. 57.6

Continued


SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties adopt the draft Decisions and include text directing the Secretariat to issue a Notification. Responses to a Notification would assist in preparation of the report.

SUPPORT


• Classifies China, Hong Kong SAR, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Singapore, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Viet Nam as countries of primary concern in the illicit trade in ivory; Cambodia, Cameroon, Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Thailand as of secondary concern; and Angola, DRC, Egypt, Japan, Lao PDR, Mozambique and Philippines as 'important to watch.’

• Requests CoP to note this report.

• Submitted by South Africa.

• Provides a draft Decision that, inter alia, directs:

Parties to bring to Secretariat’s attention all Encephalartos seizures and consult with countries of origin before issuing permits or certificates;

Secretariat to develop a report on the illegal trade in Encephalartos species; and

SC to consider recommendations for action in relation to trade in these species.

• Secretariat recommends that, rather than develop a report, it be directed to issue a Notification to the Parties and submit a report to SC based on informa-tion received.

• Reports that CITES and IAC Secretariats concur that Decision 16.127 has been implemented.

• Provides recommendations concerning the conserva-tion status of the hawksbill turtle in the WC/WA and eastern Pacific regions (Annex 1).


Direct Secretariat to undertake a study on the legal and illegal international trade in marine turtles; encourage coordination among CITES, CMS, Ramsar Convention, IAC and SPAW Protocol to address recommendations from the 2014 study "Conservation Status of Hawksbill Turtles in the Wider Caribbean, Western Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Regions"; and report to SC and CoP.

Direct SC to review information from Secretariat and make own recommendations.

• Encephalartos is a genus of cycads native to Africa; all species are included in Appendix I.

• Decision 16.127 directs Secretariat to collaborate with Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC); encourage implementation of outstanding recommendations arising from the 2009 regional workshop on the hawksbill turtle in the wider Caribbean and western Atlantic (WC/WA) region; and report to CoP17.

58. International trade in Encephalartos spp

CoP17 Doc. 58

59. Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

CoP17 Doc. 59

Continued

63w w w . s s n . o r g


• Submitted by Secretariat and SC.

• Provides an update on enforcement and training undertaken in relation to Asian big cats.

• Identifies China, India, Nepal, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam as key countries affected by illegal trade in Asian big cat specimens; information suggests that tiger specimens are entering illegal commercial trade from captive-breeding facilities.

• Provides draft Decisions (including suggested edits from Secretariat) that, inter alia:

Request Parties with facilities keeping live Asian big cat species to report on implementation to ensure control measures are adequate to ensure specimens do not enter illegal trade;

Direct Secretariat to report to SC on implementation of RC 12.5 (Rev. CoP16), conduct a review of facilities keeping tigers in captivity (including inspections), and review trade from/through such facilities; and

Direct SC to review this material and decide if country-specific actions are necessary.

• Secretariat reports that implementation of Decision 14.69 has generated considerable debate and sug-gests that:

It be included in RC 12.5 (Rev. CoP16) as it reflects a long-term issue; and

Decision 14.69 be considered in a review (draft Decision 1, Doc. 32 Annex 1) of “ambiguities and inconsistencies in the application of Article VII, paragraphs 4 and 5, and associated Resolutions”.

• Submitted by India.

• Reports that software used to identify individual tigers by stripe patterns can also be used to identity poached tigers and their origin.

• Provides draft Decisions that, inter alia :

SSN recommends that Parties:

• SUPPORT the draft Decisions in Annex 1, as this would create a process to facilitate more effective implementa-tion of RC 12.5 (Rev. CoP16) and Decision 14.69.

• SUPPORT inclusion of Decision 14.69 as currently written in RC 12.5 (Rev. CoP16); or it should be retained. This Decision specifically addresses internal and inter-national trade in parts and derivatives of captive bred tigers, recognising the threat that trade in tiger parts and derivatives poses to demand reduction and illegal trade in wild tigers. Secretariat asserts that Decision 14.69 contradicts or confuses directions in RC 12.5 (Rev. CoP16) URGES para b) and g); however URGES b) does not expressly include captive bred specimens while URGES g) does not address internal trade.

• REJECT subjecting Decision 14.69 to the proposed review under draft Decision 1 in Doc. 32, Annex 1. Doc. 32 deals primarily with questionable claims of captive breeding or ranching. The proposed review relates to inconsisten-cies and ambiguities in the use of source codes. This has nothing to do with Decision 14.69, which unambiguously states that tigers should not be bred for trade in their parts and derivatives. The debate and voting record for CoP14 indicates the majority of Parties intended that this “trade” includes internal trade23.

SUPPORT

• SSN urges Parties to adopt these draft Decisions, as they will facilitate investigations into the sources of tiger skins in trade. SSN also encourages Parties undertaking camera-trapping of wild tigers, and Parties undertaking

ContinuedContinued

60. Asian big cats (Felidae spp.)


CoP17 Doc. 60.1

60.2 Proposal of India

CoP17 Doc. 60.2

• RC 12.5 (Rev. CoP16) on Conservation of and trade in tigers and other Appendix-I Asian big cat species requires, inter alia, Secretariat to report to SC and CoP on implementation of the RC and related Decisions 16.68-16.70 directed to Parties, Secretariat and SC.

• Decision 14.69 directs Parties with intensive opera-tions breeding tigers on a commercial scale to imple-ment measures to restrict the captive population to a level supportive only to conserving wild tigers; “tigers should not be bred for trade in their parts and derivatives”.

• Fewer than 4,000 wild tigers remain, a decline of 96% in the last 100 years. Wild tigers in China, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and Cambodia are close to extinction. Wild tigers occupy just 7%18 of their historic range; poaching continues to be a major threat to their survival.

• There are an estimated 700019 tigers in captivity in China, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam, the vast majority in operations that keep and breed tigers for commercial purposes

• 62 live tigers were seized from 2000 to 2009 and 61 from 2010 to 201220

• At least 6,400 Asian big cat specimens have been seized in trade since 2000.21

• Of the 481 tigers seized in Thailand, Laos, Viet Nam and China from 200 through 2016, an estimated 61% are believed to have come from captive facilities. 22

• SC65 adopted a recommendation encouraging Parties to share images of seized tiger skins with range States with photographic identification databases so as to assist in the identification of the origin of the illegal specimens.


an inventory of captive tigers, to likewise establish data-bases, inform Parties and ICCWC members of their exis-tence, and cooperate with Parties making seizures of skins.

• SSN recommends that Parties agree to include the first draft Decision directed to the Parties in RC 12.5 (Rev. CoP16).

• SSN notes reports that illegal international trade in live great apes for exotic pet markets continues unabated, particularly in the Middle East,24 and urges the Secretariat to work in collaboration with GRASP and other relevant partner organ-isations such as ICCWC to develop appropriate actions.

• Rather than wait until after CoP18 to take action, SSN urges CoP to direct Secretariat to complete the report by SC69, and for SC69 to consider the report and make rec-ommendations to Parties and others as needed.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties adopt the draft Decisions.

• Decision 16.67 directs SC to review RC 13.4 (Rev. CoP16) on Conservation of and trade in great apes, with a view to establishing an illegal trade reporting mechanism, and report to CoP17.

• Rosewood species are among the timbers most in demand for trade on the international market due to their attractive ornamental heartwood; ‘hongmu’ (redwood) is traded to China for creation of luxury furniture.

• The term ‘rosewood’ is used to describe several species from different genera, most commonly to select Dalbergia species, but species of the genera Pterocarpus, Millettia and Cassia may also be referred to as rosewood.

Encourage Parties to inform Secretariat if they have photographic identification databases for tigers, work towards an international database of tiger photos, share photos of seized tiger skins with Parties that have photographic identification databases for tigers, and inform Secretariat of such exchanges; and

Direct Secretariat to report to SC and CoP on implementation of these Decisions.

• Secretariat suggests that the first draft Decision directed to the Parties be included in RC 12.5 (Rev. CoP16).

• Reports that:

Illegal international trade in great apes remains limited;

Party reporting on illegal trade in great apes will be part of the new annual illegal-trade report; and

SC66 agreed for Secretariat to commission a report on the status of great apes and the report is in progress.

• Invites CoP to note this report.

• Secretariat recommends CoP adopt draft Decisions that direct Secretariat to finalize the report on status and trade of great apes; and SC to consider report and provide recommendations to CoP18.

• Submitted by the EU and Mexico.

• Provides draft Decisions, inter alia, directing:

• Secretariat to contract a consultant to undertake a study on biology, population status, management, use of and trade in rosewood timber species (genera Pterocarpus, Millettia and Cassia) not included in the Appendices and assess benefits of including them; organize workshops for presentation of the report; and provide report to PC; and

• PC to provide its recommendations to CoP18.

61. Great apes (Hominidae spp.)

CoP17 Doc. 61

62. International trade in rosewood timber species [LEGUMINOSAE (Fabaceae)]

CoP17 Doc. 62


65w w w . s s n . o r g


SUPPORT

• Only 6,600 adult African wild dogs remain in 39 subpopula-tions, of which only 1,400 are mature individuals. Population size is continuing to decline as a result of ongoing habitat fragmentation, conflict with humans, and disease.

• While trade is not identified as a significant threat, anec-dotal reports of trade in live dogs suggests that for some populations trade may be an additional threat.

SUPPORT

• SSN urges Parties to add the following text in the preamble: “RECOGNISING that pangolins are difficult to breed in cap-tivity and that natural production levels are low, and that vigilance is required to prevent laundering of wild-caught specimens, their parts or products into trade as 'captive-bred' or 'ranched'.” Though pangolins have never been successfully bred in captivity to the second generation, international trade in specimens recorded as captive bred and ranched appear in the CITES trade database (e.g., 500 “ranched” live M. tricuspis exported from Togo to Italy in 2008; 1000 “ranched” skins of M. pentadactyla exported from Lao PDR to Mexico in 2010; 109 specimens traded as “captive-bred” between 2004-2013).

• Given uncertainty surrounding the current status of many wild pangolin populations and very real risk to populations from over harvesting, SSN recommends that Parties sub-stitute the text ‘in sustainably managing pangolin popula-tions’ in the first ENCOURAGES of the Preamble with ‘to eliminate their reliance on consumptive use of wild pan-golin populations’.


• SSN supports suggestion of Secretariat that Parties amend the Decisions to focus on assistance for implementa-tion and enforcement of the Convention for O. lanceolata including engagement of range States.

63. Guidelines to determine the possible impact of trade in African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) on the conservation of the species

CoP17 Doc. 63

64. Pangolins (Manis spp.)

CoP17 Doc. 64

65. Conservation of and trade in East African sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata)

CoP17 Doc. 65

• African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) is not CITES-listed and is Endangered (IUCN 2012); exists in 19 countries; possibly extinct in 8; and regionally extinct in 11.

• Decision16.42 directs SC to examine information on illegal trade in pangolins and make recommendations to CoP17.


• Despite zero export quota, Asian pangolins are in a “pre-cipitous decline” due to unsustainably high poaching and illegal trade, primarily to satisfy demand in China.

• Depletion of Asian pangolins has led to escalated poaching and illegal trade in African pangolins.26

• Decision 16.153 directs PC and the Eastern African range States of Osyris species to, inter alia, review and gather further information on the conservation status of, trade in and use of Osyris species, report on work to CoP17, and prepare listing proposals as necessary.

• Decision 16.154 directs Secretariat to seek funding for this work.

• Osyris lanceolata was included in Appendix II in 2013; no trade has been recorded in the CITES Trade Database.

• Submitted by Burkina Faso.

• Provides draft Decisions that, inter alia, direct AC to commission a study on the trade in wild dogs and make recommendations to SC; SC to make recom-mendations to CoP18.

• Provides a draft Resolution from SC66 on Conservation of and trade in pangolins that, inter alia, urges Parties to address illegal trade in these species, adopt deter-rent penalties, manage and monitor stocks, and con-trol pangolin breeding facilities.

• Encourages sustainable management of pangolin populations.

• Provides draft Decision that, inter alia, directs Secretariat to prepare a report on legal and illegal pangolin trade for SC69.

• Submitted by Kenya.

• Recommends that Decisions 16.153 and 16.154 be extended.

• Given the lack of trade data, Secretariat recommends that the Decisions not be renewed but that if work continues it focus on O. lanceolata, suggesting that provisions in Article IV have yet to be applied for inter-national trade in this species.


SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties support recommendations of SC and Secretariat.

• Switzerland has reported an increase in illegal trade of Tibetan antelope wool (shahtoosh) shawls of lower quality and price, perhaps making the shawls available to a greater number of consumers.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties support adoption of draft Decisions with amendments suggested by Secretariat.


• SSN recommends that Parties support adoption of draft Decisions and proposed changes to RC 9.14 (Rev CoP 15) with the following changes: Regarding draft Decisions:

Include reporting requirements,to allow assessment and monitoring of implementation;

Add to Decision 17.B: “and report significant trends and actions to each meeting of the SC”; and

Add to Decision 17.C: “The SC shall consider reports from range States pursuant to Decision 17.B and make appropriate recommendations”.


• Provides an update on reported seizures.

• Recommends maintaining paragraph b), under ’DIRECTS’, of RC 11.8 (Rev. CoP13) on Conservation of and control of trade in the Tibetan antelope that directs SC to review enforcement efforts on this issue.

• Recommends that Decision 16.93 be incorporated into RC 11.8 (Rev. CoP13).

• Secretariat provides: details on trade and enforcement; draft Decision directing India and other Parties to report on their implementation of RC 11.8 (Rev. CoP13) at SC69.

• Submitted by Acting PC Chair.

• Provides draft Decisions that, inter alia, direct:

Secretariat to organize workshop on the use of and trade in P. africana and report results to PC; and

PC to review results and provide recommendations to SC and CoP18.

• Secretariat notes that this species is currently included in the Review of Significant Trade and that, at minimum, Decisions should be amended so that workshop is held after PC makes recommendations on the species within the Review.

• Provides an update of actions taken under these Decisions.

• Provides draft Decisions that, inter alia, direct Parties to review their implementation of RC 9.14 (Rev. CoP15) and all rhino range States to review poaching and trafficking trends to ensure their enforcement efforts are effective.

• Provides proposed amendments to RC 9.14 (Rev. CoP15) that, inter alia, include in an Annex, Form for collection and sharing of data on rhinoceros horn sei-zures and on samples for forensic analysis; and urges Parties to:

Include in restrictions any product that appears to be a rhino part or derivative;

• P. hodgsonii is listed in Appendix I and is classified as Endangered (IUCN 2008)

• Decision 16.93 directs Parties to bring Tibetan antelope wool seizures to the attention of Secretariat; Decision 16.94 directs Secretariat to report these to SC65.

• PC22 agreed to submit Decisions to CoP17 calling for organization of a workshop on use of and trade in P. africana.

• RC 9.14 (Rev. CoP15) on Conservation of and trade in African and Asian rhinoceroses, inter alia, provides recommendations on enforcement and rhino horn stockpiles; and includes recommendations regarding a commissioned rhino trade report before each CoP.

• Decisions 16.84-16.92 direct actions to all Parties, Viet Nam, Mozambique, South Africa, Secretariat, Working Group on Rhinoceroses, the Secretariat and SC regarding trade in rhinoceroses.

66. Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii): enforcement measures

CoP17 Doc. 66

67. Harvesting of and trade in African cherry (Prunus africana)

CoP17 Doc. 67

68. Rhinoceroses (Rhinocerotidae spp.)

CoP17 Doc. 68

ContinuedContinued

67w w w . s s n . o r g


Consider introducing stricter domestic measures to regulate the re-export of rhinoceros horn specimens from any source; and

Identify, mark, register and secure rhino horn stocks, and declare these to the Secretariat each year.

• Submitted by Indonesia.

• Provides a draft Resolution on Conservation of and Control of Trade In the Helmeted Hornbill that, inter alia, urges Parties to prohibit display, domestic sale and acquisition of helmeted hornbill specimens, give species the highest legal protection status, increase enforcement; directs Secretariat to report on the implementation of the Resolution to SC; SC to review and report to CoP.



• Range, consumer and trading countries to implement MTIWP for the Saiga Antelope (2016-2020), manage trade in and consumption of saiga products and derivatives, tackle illegal trade channels, and ensure effective management of stockpiles; and

• Secretariat to report and make recommendations to SC; and SC to make recommendations to CoP18.

• Regarding proposed amendments to RC 9.14 (Rev. CoP15):

Add to Preamble, at end of the second ‘COMMENDING’: “recognizing the varied and changing nature of demand for rhinoceros horn, and the need for demand reduction and education initiatives to be responsive to such variations and changes”;

Retain definition of ‘implicated’ Parties in paragraph d) under URGES;

Include reference to form in Annex 3;

Include text to encourage Parties to submit forms to the Secretariat even if incomplete and to direct Secretariat to provide seizure information from forms to IUCN/TRAFFIC to use in their reports to CoP; and

In paragraph a) under DIRECTS, maintain requirement that IUCN/TRAFFIC submit their report at least six months before each CoP.

SUPPORT

• Since 2011, massive demand for this species, highly prized for its ‘hornbill (or “red”) ivory’ in China, has led to uncon-trolled poaching and illegal trade despite Indonesia’s efforts.

• Black market prices for hornbill ivory in China reportedly 5X those for elephant ivory by weight.27

• From March 2012 toAugust 2014 at least 2,170 heads/casques seized in Indonesia and China.28

• Birds easily shot at fruiting trees; populations already greatly diminished in Indonesia; risk that poaching will spread to other range States if illegal trade not controlled.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that the Decisions directed to range, consumer and trading countries be amended to require reporting to the Secretariat on implementation of related Decisions, in order to evaluate progress made.

Continued Continued

69. Illegal trade in the helmeted hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil )

CoP17 Doc. 69

70. Saiga antelope (Saiga spp.)

CoP17 Doc. 70

• R. vigil listed in Appendix I in 1975; native to Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Singapore (extinct).

• In 2015 IUCN changed status of the species from Near Threatened to Critically Endangered.

• Decisions 14.91 (Rev. CoP16), 14.92 (Rev. CoP16) and 16.95-16.101, inter alia, direct range, consumer and trading countries to implement the Medium-Term International Work Programme for the Saiga Antelope (2011-2015)[MTIWP (2011-2015)]; Secretariat to make recommendations to SC; and SC to make rec-ommendations to CoP18.

Continued


SUPPORT / OPPOSE SECRETARIAT RECOMMENDATION

• SSN recommends that Parties support adoption of the draft Resolution and the proposed Decisions, with the following additions to Decision 17FF directed to SC, in order to ensure that SC responds to information submitted by Parties on illegal trade:

“c) report on the implementation of Decisions 17.DD and 17.EE at the 18th meeting of the Conference of the Parties...” and

“a) consider the reports and recommendations from the Animals Committee submitted in accordance with Decision 17.EE, information submitted by Parties in accordance with Decision 17.DD,...”.

• SSN urges Parties to reject the proposed new Decision from the Secretariat until the study on guidance on making NDFs for these species (AC28 Doc. 14.1 Annex 2) is reviewed by AC and SC as the study’s suggestion that NDFs be turned into a “finding of detriment” is in direct conflict with the text of the Convention.

• Secretariat proposes that Decisions directed to Secretariat be amended to coordinate reporting with CMS and the Signatories of the Saiga MoU; and proposes draft Decisions that, inter alia, direct SC to make recommendations to CoP18 regarding simpli-fied procedures to expedite trade with negligible or no impact on saiga conservation, in response to reported delays in permits for movement of emer-gency diagnostic specimens in response to the mass die-off of saiga in 2015.

• Prepared by SC.

• Updates actions taken on related Decisions.

• Provides a draft Resolution on Conservation, sustain-able use of and trade in snakes that, inter alia, urges Parties to make appropriate NDFs for species in trade, encourages Parties to establish national harvest, trade and management policies for snake species, invites Parties to propose listings for those species impacted by trade, and includes recommendations regarding trade controls and traceability systems for snake skins.

• Provides draft Decisions that, inter alia :

Direct Parties in Asia to report to SC on implementation of measures to eliminate illegal and unreported trade;

Direct AC to review study on guidance on the making of NDFs for the export of CITES-listed snakes and new information on the trade, and report to SC;

Direct SC to review AC information and make recommendations to Parties, AC, and Secretariat and report on AC work to CoP, possibly including revisions to resolution on snake conservation.

• Secretariat proposes new Decision directing Secretariat to compile information on making NDFs for snakes and management systems for snakes, and to conduct workshops on NDFs and production systems.

71. Snake trade and conservation management (Serpentes spp.)

CoP17 Doc. 71

• Decisions 16.102-16.108 directed to Secretariat, AC, SC, Parties, ICCWC and ASEAN-WEN, call inter alia for the production of a series of reports and workshops in order to develop recommendations concerning snake trade and conservation management.

• AC28 recommended that a study on guidance on making NDFs for trade in snakes [Decision 16.102, paragraph a), ii)] be reviewed by AC29.

Continued

69w w w . s s n . o r g


• Updates activities related to conservation of queen conch and recommends deletion of Decisions16.141-16.143 and 16.146-16.148.


Range States to adopt national management plans, explore ways to enhance traceability in trade and report to Secretariat on implementation;

Secretariat to assist range States to enhance implementation, and report to SC;

AC, if requested by range States, to provide advice on the making of NDFs; and

SC to review enforcement and traceability issues and make recommendations as appropriate.

• Provides an update on activities undertaken under related Decisions including reports on legal and illegal trade of tortoises and turtles (Annexes 1 and 2) and on identification and capacity-building materials relating to trade in tortoises and turtles (Annexes 3 and 4).


Secretariat to provide guidance on surveying/monitoring wild populations, and differentiation of wild from captive-produced specimens; and a guide to categories of turtle parts and derivatives in trade;

AC to review materials produced and make recommendations to Secretariat; and

Secretariat to establish a secure rapid-response identification network to connect inspecting officials to specialists on species identification, initially on turtles and tortoises.


• Summarizes illegal trade in the species and efforts by Mexico to protect wild populations and raise specimens in captivity for release and commercial purposes.

• Recommends that the CoP, inter alia :

Confiscate illegal totoaba shipments and share

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that the Parties adopt the draft Decisions.

SUPPORT


SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that the Parties adopt these recom-mendations as Decisions directed to the Parties and SC, as only individual Parties can enact domestic measures.

• This document is a follow-up of Mexico’s CITES Notification No. 2015/050, urging Parties to support its conservation efforts by confiscating illegal totoaba ship-ments and by taking domestic measures to discourage illegal trade.

• Decisions 16.141-16.146 direct range States of S. gigas to take a number of actions regarding regional cooperation on management of and trade in queen conch.

• Decisions 16.147 and 16.148 direct Secretariat to, inter alia, collaborate with FAO to assist range States and make information on making NDFs for this spe-cies available on the CITES website.

• Decisions 16.109-16.124 directed to Secretariat, AC, SC and Parties call inter alia for the production of a series of reports and recommendations on tortoises and freshwater turtles.

• Totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi), endemic to Mexico, is listed in Appendix I and is Critically Endangered (IUCN 2010).

• Totoaba is illegally fished for export to Chinese mar-kets where the swim bladder is in demand for its sup-posed medicinal benefits and for use as a tonic.

• Illegal fishing of totoaba results in bycatch of Critically Endangered Gulf of California harbor porpoise or vaquita (Phocoena sinus, IUCN 2008), also listed in Appendix I; only 60 vaquita remain.29

72. Regional cooperation on the management of and trade in the queen conch (Strombus gigas)

CoP17 Doc. 72

73. Tortoises and freshwater turtles (Testudines spp.)

CoP17 Doc. 73

74. Totoaba - Totoaba macdonaldi – Opportunities for international collaboration within the CITES framework

CoP17 Doc. 74

Continued


OPPOSE IN PART / SUPPORT IN PART

• Regarding amendments to RC 13.11, SSN urges the Parties to:

Oppose text endorsing materials produced by CPW on sustainable use of wildlife as these have not been reviewed by CITES or its Committees and involve issues beyond bushmeat trade;

Amend text urging Parties to establish policies that support the legal and sustainable harvest and international trade of species for bushmeat to read, “URGES all relevant Parties to review or establish strategies, policies, programmes or management systems ... that support the legal and sustainable harvest and international trade of CITES-listed species used for bushmeat...”; otherwise, the text urges Parties that do not allow bushmeat trade to permit it; and

Oppose deletion of text that advises Parties to prohibit offtake of Appendix I species (e.g. great apes, tigers) for consumption as food.

Regarding the draft Decision, SSN urges Parties to amend the Decision to require guidance materials to be produced in cooperation with the AC and SC.

• No comment.

information about illegal totoaba trade in their country with Mexico;

Take domestic measures to discourage the illegal market; and

Develop recommendations to assist Mexico in implementing the provisions of CITES applicable to totoaba.

• Submitted by SC Chair.

• Provides proposed amendments to RC 13.11, that inter alia :

Urge Parties to take advantage of materials provided by the Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management (CPW) in relation to the sustainable management and use of wildlife;

Urge Parties to establish policies that support the legal and sustainable harvest and international trade of CITES-listed species used for bushmeat; and

Delete text advising Parties to prohibit the offtake of Appendix I species for consumption as food.

• Provides a draft Decision that directs the Secretariat to develop guidance materials, activities and tools aimed at enhancing Parties’ capacity to regulate bushmeat trade, and report to CoP18.

• Reports that there seems to be less need for a regional approach and that the Central Africa Bushmeat Working Group may no longer be operational or in existence.

• Recommends that Decisions 14.73 and 14.74 be deleted.

• Decision 16.149 directs SC to review RC 13.11 on Bushmeat, and submit recommendations to CoP17.

• Decisions 14.73 and 14.74 direct the the Central Africa Bushmeat Working Group to:

• Draw to the attention of SC and/or CoP to any mat-ters relating to the implementation of RC 13.11; and

• Report to SC on progress on national action plans relating to trade in bushmeat to CoP17.

75. Bushmeat

75.1 Review of Resolution Conf. 13.11 on Bushmeat

CoP17 Doc. 75.1

75.2 Report of the Central Africa Bushmeat Working Group

CoP17 Doc. 75.2

Continued

71w w w . s s n . o r g


• Submitted by Acting Chair of PC.

• Provides a revision of Decision 16.159 to renew man-date of Working Group on Neotropical Tree Species, requiring it to report to PC24; PC to report to CoP18.

• Submitted by Kenya as Chair of PC Working Group on African Tree Species.

• Provides draft Decisions (Annex 1) that, inter alia, pro-vide the terms of reference for the

• Group including work on capacity of range States, export quotas, conversion factors, and identification of species for inclusion in the Appendices; group to report to PC; PC to report to CoP18.

• Secretariat suggests amendments directing PC to provide recommendations to Parties and SC; SC to report to CoP18.

• Submitted by Australia.

• Recommends amendments to RC 16.7 for Parties:

To request Secretariat to make NDF examples available on the CITES web site; and

To provide to Secretariat for publication on the CITES website, records of science-based rationales and scientific information used for NDFs.

• Submitted by Brazil.

• To obtain information about the conservation status of species that are most in decline in order to take conser-vation measures, provides draft Decisions that, inter alia :

Direct Parties to provide information on status of and measures adopted for species included in Appendix I;

Direct AC and PC to assess the status of species in Appendix I and report to CoP18; and

Direct Parties and Secretariat to seek sources of funding for the recovery of species included in Appendix I that are facing the highest extinction risk and for which no projects or funding are currently available.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties adopt the revised Decision.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that Parties support the draft Decisions with amendments from Secretariat.

SUPPORT

• SSN supports the dissemination of information that may assist Parties in making better NDFs, and encourages Parties both to support the proposed amendments and to submit information on NDFs to the Secretariat on a regular basis.

SUPPORT


• Decision 16.159 directs PC Working Group on Neotropical Tree Species to define its membership and terms of reference, and PC to report to CoP17 on the work of the group.

• PC22 established an intersessional Working Group on African Tree Species.

• RC 16.7 on Non-detriment findings (NDFs), inter alia, recommends that Parties share experiences and examples of ways of making NDFs and communicate them to the Secretariat.

• Objective 3.4 of the CITES Strategic Vision: 2008-2020 (RC 16.3 Annex) is, “The contribution of CITES to... the relevant Aichi Biodiversity Targets...is strengthened by ensuring that international trade in wild fauna and flora is conducted at sustainable levels”.

• Target 12 of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets is, “By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species has been prevented and their conservation status, particularly of those most in decline, has been improved and sustained.”

76. Neotropical tree species

CoP17 Doc. 76

77. International trade in African tree species

CoP17 Doc. 77

78. Sharing existing written science-based rationales and scientific information for non-detriment findings made for trade in CITES-listed species

CoP17 Doc. 78

79. Implementation of the CITES Strategic Vision: 2008-2020

CoP17 Doc. 79


• Submitted by the EU.


• Direct Secretariat to commission a report to iden-tify species that are a) endemic or with extremely restricted distribution area; b) threatened, vulnerable or endangered; and c) are threatened by international trade for which an Appendix-III CITES listing would present an added-value for the conservation of the species concerned;

• AC and PC to review the report and provide recom-mendations to SC; and

• SC to make recommendations to CoP18 on report and convene working group to consider producing a manual on use of Appendix III.

• Prepared by AC and PC in collaboration with Secretariat.

• Provides recommended new layout for RC 12.11 (Rev. CoP16) Annex on Standard nomenclature, as well as changes to standard references (Annexes 1 and 2).

• Provides draft Decisions (Annexes 3, 4, 7):

On nomenclature and identification of CITES-listed corals in trade;

On use of time-specific versions of online-databases as standard nomenclature references;

Directing Secretariat to commission an analysis of the implications of adopting a new standard nomenclature reference for birds (family and order level) and report to AC; AC to evaluate results and prepare a recommendation.

• Submitted by Australia.

• Proposes that Parties accept H. dahli and H. planifrons as distinct species under CITES as per the existing nomenclature reference, Kuiter (2001).

• Proposes to remove from the Checklist of CITES Species the reference to Australia being a range state for H. trimaculatus, H. kelloggi and H. spinosissimus.

SUPPORT

• Although Appendix III should not be regarded as a substi-tute for Appendices I or II when species meet the criteria for these Appendices, the inclusion of species in Appendix III is a simple method for:

• Range States to control trade in nationally protected and/or endangered or threatened wildlife; and

• Requesting the assistance of importing and re-exporting States in monitoring and controlling trade in species pro-tected under domestic law.

• The draft Decisions should assist individual Parties, espe-cially those with limited access to information, in deter-mining which of their native species could benefit from an Appendix III listing.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends Parties support adoption of the revised layout for RC 12.11 (Rev. CoP16) Annex; and the draft Decisions, as amended by Secretariat, to allow additional time for their implementation.

• No comment.

80. CITES Appendix III - an added-value for the conservation of threatened wildlife with restricted distribution

CoP17 Doc. 80

81. Standard nomenclature

81.1 Standard nomenclature: Report of the Animals and Plants Committee

CoP17 Doc. 81.1

81.2 Standard nomenclature for Hippocampus spp.

CoP17 Doc. 81.2

• CITES Article II paragraph 3 states, “Appendix III shall include all species which any Party identifies as being subject to regulation within its jurisdiction for the purpose of preventing or restricting exploitation, and as needing the co-operation of other Parties in the control of trade”.

• RC 9.25 (Rev CoP 16) on Inclusion of species in Appendix III provides guidance for Parties seeking to include species in Appendix III.

73w w w . s s n . o r g


Continued

• Submitted by AC and PC Chairs.

• Provides proposed revisions (Annex 1) to RC 14.8 (Rev. CoP16) including, inter alia:

Reviews take place within one intersessional period; and

If AC/PC recommends a change in listing but no range State submits a proposal, the Secretariat may request the Depository Government to do so and include comments of range States.

• Submitted by AC Chair.

• Reports that full implementation of Decision 13.93 (Rev. CoP16) is not complete; recommends that the Decision be extended and amended to direct AC to complete its Review for Panthera leo, to complete the review for Felidae.

• Secretariat notes that decision would no longer be necessary if proposal CoP17 Prop. 4 (to transfer African populations of P. leo from Appendix II to Appendix I) is not withdrawn, and the CoP takes a decision on it.

• Prepared at the request of SC.

• As agreed at SC66, proposes amendments to:

RC 5.20 (Rev. CoP16) (Annex 1), RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16) (Annex 2) and RC 9.25 (Rev. CoP16) (Annex 3), that indicate that annotations also should cover specimens ‘that first appear in international trade;’

RC 11.21 (Rev. CoP16) (Annex 4), including guidance when considering use of annotations; and “RECALLING that an annotated listing of an animal or plant species...always includes the whole live or dead animal or plant, and any specimen included by an annotation”; and

82. Periodic review of the Appendices

82.1 Revision of Resolution Conf. 14.8 (Rev. CoP16) on Periodic Review of species included in Appendices I and II

CoP17 Doc. 82.1

82.2 Review of the Appendices: Felidae spp

CoP17 Doc. 82.2

83. Annotations


CoP17 Doc. 83.1

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that the Parties adopt the proposed revisions RC 14.8 (Rev. CoP16).

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that the Parties agree to extend and amend the related Decisions directing the AC to complete the review of Felidae.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that the Parties adopt the pro-posed amendments, and the recommendations of the Secretariat. The Working Group is helping to clarify the use of annotations and it should be given the opportunity to complete its mandate.

• RC 14.8 (Rev. CoP16) on Periodic review of species included in Appendices I and II established a process by which AC and PC review the appropriateness of species' listing in Appendices I or II.

• Decision 13.93 (Rev. CoP16) directs AC to complete its Review of the Appendices for Felidae and report to CoP17.

• Decisions 16.161-16.163 direct SC to establish a Working Group on Annotations; Decisions include terms of reference.

• SC66 agreed to amendments to RC 5.20 (Rev. CoP16) on Guidelines for the Secretariat when making rec-ommendations in accordance with Article XV, RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16) on Criteria for amendment of Appendices I and II, RC 9.25 (Rev. CoP16) on Inclusion of species in Appendix III and RC 11.21 (Rev. CoP16) on Use of annotations in Appendices I and II.


SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that the Parties adopt the revised anno-tations, and extend the mandate of the Working Group. See comments to Doc. 83.1.

SUPPORT

• SSN recommends that the Parties adopt the proposed Decision and also that from the Secretariat.

• SSN urges Parties not to extend the mandate of Decision 16.55.

• CITES has been debating establishment of a DMM since 2007 but has made no progress.

• Since the adoption of the DMM decision in 2007 there has been a serious escalation in poaching and illegal ivory trade.

• The ETIS report (Doc. 57.6) recorded a “rapid increase” in illegal ivory transactions from 2007 through 2011-2013

Continued

Continued

Decision 16.162 and 16.163, for the Working Group to continue intersessionally between CoP17 and CoP18.

• Secretariat recommends, inter alia, that the Working Group continue its work on the guidance proposed for inclusion in RC 11.21 (Rev. CoP16), and that it be spec-ified in that RC that annotations text should be clear in the three working languages of the Convention.

• Submitted by USA as Chair of SC Working Group on Annotations.

• Recommends that Parties adopt:

Revisions to Annotation #1130 (see proposal CoP17 Prop. 62) and Annotation #1431 (see proposal CoP17 Prop. 60); and

Decision (or Decisions) directing SC to continue the work of the group.

• Submitted by Canada; prepared by the Acting Chair of PC and Co-Chair of the PC Working Group on Annotations for Appendix-II orchids.

• Provides a draft Decision to establish a PC Working Group on Annotations for Appendix II Orchids and its terms of reference.

• Secretariat recommends additional Decision directing SC to consider results and provide its recommenda-tions to CoP18.

• Prepared by SC.

• Invites Parties to decide whether the mandate directed to the SC in Decision 16.55 should be extended.

• Decisions 16.161 to 16.163 direct SC to establish a Working Group on Annotations; Decisions include terms of reference.

• An intersessional Working Group of the PC on Annotations for Appendix-II orchids was established at PC22 but was unable to complete formation and begin its work.

• Decision 14.77, to develop a decision-making mech-anism for a process of trade in ivory (DMM), was adopted at CoP14 in 2007 and renewed at CoP16 through Decision 16.55.

• Decision 16.55 directs SC to propose a DMM.

• SC66 agreed to seek advice from CoP17 as to whether the mandate under Decision 16.55 should or should not be extended.

83.2 Annotations for species listed in the CITES Appendices: Report of the working group

CoP17 Doc. 83.2

83.3 Annotations for Appendix II orchids

CoP17 Doc. 83.3

84. Decision-making mechanism for a process of trade in ivory


CoP17 Doc. 84.1

75w w w . s s n . o r g


84.2 Proposal of Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Niger and Senegal

CoP17 Doc. 84.2

84.3 Proposal of Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe

CoP17 Doc. 84.3

• See Background under Agenda item 84.1.

• Decision 16.55 directs SC to propose a decision-making mechanism (DMM) for a process of trade in ivory.

• African elephant populations of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe are listed in Appendix II with an annotation to allow trade in hunting tro-phies, live animals, hides, hair, leather goods, ekipas (Namibia) and raw ivory (under certain conditions); “no further proposals to allow trade in...ivory... shall be submitted...ending nine years from the date of the single sale of ivory...” this moratorium expires in 2017.

“to record high levels.”

• The MIKE report (Doc. 57.5) shows that PIKE levels in Africa were below 0.5 between 2003 and 2007, but have exceeded 0.5 in every year since then except 2009.

• A recent study shows that the 2008 CITES one-off sales had a direct impact on supply of illegal ivory.32

• SSN believes strongly that further discussion of the DMM holds out the prospect of a legal trade and may increase demand and speculation and stimulate further poaching.

• SSN urges Parties to send the clearest possible signal to poachers, traders, and consumers that trade in ivory is unac-ceptable and will not be considered further. Efforts should be devoted to halting illegal trade, curbing demand for ivory, and implementing the African Elephant Action Plan.

SUPPORT

• See SSN View under Agenda item 84.1. SSN believes that the adoption of any DMM presents an unacceptable risk for elephants, that a DMM should not be debated further and that international and domestic ivory trade should be ended.

• SSN agrees with the proponents that past negotiations for a DMM have failed; that continued existence of a DMM pro-cess incentivizes demand for illegal ivory to be laundered through a legalised trading system; that the DMM concept is outdated, irrelevant and dangerous both to elephants and the wildlife wardens who protect them; and that Parties should send a clear global message to wildlife criminals that there will be no future DMM or similar CITES system which could be misused to facilitate trade in poached ivory.

OPPOSE

• See SSN View for Doc. 84.1.

• The current proposal’s demands are obstructive and do not address the recent increase in poaching and ivory trafficking, or the concerns about continuing the DMM process repeatedly raised by several African and Asian elephant range States, other CITES Parties and experts.

• The proposed DMM would not operate, as required by Decision 16.55, under the auspices of the CoP. Instead, it

Continued Continued

• Submitted by several African elephant range States (Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Niger and Senegal)

• Recommends that the CoP decide not to extend the mandate to develop a DMM under Decision 16.55; and

• Recommends that Parties focus on, inter alia, legisla-tive and enforcement measures to reduce poaching rates, demand for ivory and illegal commerce.

• Submitted by Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

• Provides a proposal for a DMM to be included in RC 10.10 (Rev. CoP16) (Annex 1) that, inter alia :

• Would require SC to permit ivory sales without limit, with self-regulation by trading States, if certain cri-teria were met by importing and exporting States; and

• Directs Secretariat to: analyze trade and stockpile information submitted by trading countries, as well as compliance with the criteria, and; report to SC, which

Continued


directs SC to authorize trade in ivory on the basis of criteria dealing only with the management of ivory by the trading states, with no consideration of poaching, illegal trade levels or other factors. It would make it impossible for the CoP to halt or modify commerce in ivory trade if poaching escalated as a result of legalizing commercial trade, and would allow unlimited global trade in ivory with minimal supervision and no real safeguards against the impact on elephant populations in the rest of Africa and in Asia.

• The proposal states that failure to adopt a DMM undermines conservation in proponent countries. However, while the pro-ponents obtained limited profits from the 2008 ivory sale, it had devastating impact on elephants in other range States.

• Although not in the text of the Convention, annotations form a binding and integral part of the Appendices. SSN objects strongly to any Party threatening to refuse to comply with CITES requirements if its proposals are not accepted. Such threats raise serious compliance issues.


• SSN recommends that SC submit the proposed revisions to CoP with one additional change to the proposed new text in Annex 3 on Extinct species (new text underlined): "Extinct species should not normally be proposed for inclusion in the Appendices unless doing so would assist in the implementation of the Convention." This additional change would allow, for example, recently extinct species to be added to a higher taxon listing if they did not qualify to be included automatically, either to prevent fraudulent use of their names by traders attempting to evade CITES trade regulation, or to clarify the higher taxon listing.

OPPOSE

• SSN recommends that Parties seek the repeal of RC 10.9. However, if the proposed review goes ahead, the amend-ment process should be open, transparent and inclusive.

• SSN notes that the listing criteria in RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16) advise that split-listing “should be avoided in general in view of the enforcement problems it creates.”

may consider appropriate measures in accordance with RC 14.3 on compliance procedures.

• Notes that if a DMM is not adopted, proponents would consider the current annotation to the African elephant listing as “pro non scripto (as though it had not been written).”


• Provides revisions to RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16) on Criteria for amendment of Appendices I and II that state, inter alia:

“Extinct species should not normally be proposed for inclusion in the Appendices. Extinct species already included in the Appendices should be retained in the Appendices if they meet one of the precautionary criteria included in Annex 4.D;”

Species that are regarded as possibly extinct should not be deleted from the Appendices if: a) they may be affected by trade in the event of their rediscovery; b) they resemble extant species included in the Appendices; c) their deletion would cause difficulties implementing the Convention; or d) their removal would complicate the interpretation of the Appendices.

• Prepared by SC.

• Recommends that the Decision be amended to allow SC to report on this issue to CoP18.

• Secretariat provides a series of questions that could be considered if RC 10.9 is not repealed and suggests that Parties may wish to consider the establishment of ad hoc expert panels to evaluate certain listing proposals.

85. Extinct or possibly extinct species

CoP17 Doc. 85

86. Review of Resolution Conf. 10.9 on Consideration of proposals for the transfer of African elephant populations from Appendix I to Appendix II

CoP17 Doc. 86

• Decision 16.164 directs AC/PC to review provisions of RC 9.24 (Rev. CoP16) on Criteria for amendment of Appendices I and II as they apply to extinct species.

• Decision 16.160 directs SC to establish a working group to review RC 10.9 on Consideration of pro-posals for the transfer of African elephant populations from Appendix I to Appendix II, and present its pro-posals to CoP17.

Continued Continued

77w w w . s s n . o r g


• Submitted by AC.

• Provides draft Decisions that, inter alia, encourage:

Range States of freshwater stingrays to include species of concern in Appendix III and consider options for including species in Appendix II; and

Parties and interested organizations to conduct or promote research concerning captive breeding of these species.

• Secretariat recommends adding text to the Decision directed to Parties and interested organizations: “...and the collaboration between Parties with ex situ breeding operations for freshwater stingrays and those with in situ conservation programmes.”


• SSN urges Parties to adopt tthe proposed Decisions with the following amendments:

• Include text encouraging range States to cooperate on enforcement of any such listings; and, with other range States, to identify candidate species for inclusion in Appendix II in collaboration with importing States; and

• Delete text on captive breeding, including the Secretariat’s recommendations. Currently, there are no international trade controls for or monitoring offor wild populations of these species; encouraging captive breeding could result in greater numbers of specimens being taken from the wild for founder stock.

87. Freshwater stingrays

CoP17 Doc. 87

• Decisions 16.130-16.135 direct Secretariat, AC, Parties and interested organizations to take a variety of actions related to conservation, manage-ment and trade of freshwater stingrays (Family Potamotrygonidae).

• Potamotrygonidae are cartilaginous fishes related to sharks that are found in rivers in South America draining into the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean as far south as the River Plate in Argentina; each river system has its own endemic stingrays.

78

1 http://prooutfitters.ru/hunting/mount/tur/kubantur/?lang=En; http://www.russianhunting.com/caucasian-tur-hunting-in-russia; http://www.highmountainhunts.com/docs/hunts/030%20RUSSIA/010%20Kuban%20%28Western%29%20and%20Mid-Caucasian%20Tur/RUSSIA-TUR.pdf

2 According to data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement Management Information System, 2005-2014.

3 http://www.iucnworldconservationcongress.org/news/20160512/social-implications-vicuna-trafficking4 https://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/Dakar-declaration-English-French.pdf 5 http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1656/045.020.0302 ; http://canadianfieldnaturalist.ca/index.php/cfn/article/

viewFile/1377/1372 ; http://canadianfieldnaturalist.ca/index.php/cfn/article/view/1194; http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1674/0003-0031(2006)155[363:DACOCI]2.0.CO;2 ; http://www.canadianfieldnaturalist.ca/index.php/cfn/article/viewArticle/352

6 https://www.iucn.org/news_homepage/news_by_date722405/Saving-the-Worlds-most-illegally-traded-wild-mammal

7 http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/full/12764/08 https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/com/sc/66/E-SC66-50-02.pdf9 https://www.iucn.org/news_homepage/news_by_date722405/Saving-the-Worlds-most-illegally-traded-wild-

mammal10 https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/com/sc/66/E-SC66-50-02.pdf11 https://www.iucn.org/news_homepage/news_by_date722405/Saving-the-Worlds-most-illegally-traded-wild-

mammal12 http://www.earthtouchnews.com/environmental-crime/poaching/wildlife-officials-seize-five-tons-of-frozen-

pangolins-in-indonesia13 http://www.iucn.redlist.org/details/12764/014 https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/com/sc/66/E-SC66-50-02.pdf15 https://www.iucn.org/news_homepage/news_by_date722405/Saving-the-Worlds-most-illegally-traded-wild-

mammal16 Shepherd, C.R., E. Connelly, L. Hywood, and P. Cassey. 2016. Taking a stand against illegal wildlife trade: the

Zimbabwean approach to pangolin conservation. Oryx 1-6.17 Shepherd, C.R., E. Connelly, L. Hywood, and P. Cassey. 2016. Taking a stand against illegal wildlife trade: the

Zimbabwean approach to pangolin conservation. Oryx 1-6. 18 Soewu, D.A. and I.A. Ayodele. 2009. Utilisation of Pangolin (Manis sps) in traditional Yorubic medicine in Ijebu

Province, Ogun State, Nigeria. J. Ethnobiol. & Ethnomed. 5; Soewu, D.A. and T.A. Adekanola. 2011. Traditional-medical knowledge and perception of Pangolins (Manis sps) among the Awon people, Southwestern Nigeria. J. Ethnobiol. and Ethnomed. 7.

19 https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/com/sc/66/E-SC66-50-02.pdf20 Van Uhm, D. (2014): The illegal trade in Barbary Macaques, Universiteit Utrecht.21 Nijman, Bergin, Lavieren (2015) Barbary macaques exploited as photo-props in Marrakesh’s punishment square

SWARA http://mpcfoundation.nl/site/wp-content/uploads/SWARA-article-Marrakech-macaques-final-2015.pdf

22 Pers. Comm. Spanish authorities.23 AAP Animal Advocacy and Protection, 2014, personal communication24 IFAW personal communication 201425 Kranendonk, G., Huiskes, R., and van der Veen, M., ‘Knock knock, who’s there? Analysis of AAP Rescue Data 2001-

2015’, 201526 Shi Yi, “Namibia’s secret ivory business, 14.03.2016 http://oxpeckers.org/2016/03/namibias-secret-ivory-

business-6/27 ZPWMA (2014) Preliminary Report on Aerial Survey of Elephants and other Large Herbivores covering the Zambezi

Valley, Sebungwe Region, North West Matabeleland and Gonarezhou National Park: 2014. Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, December 2014.

28 ZPWMA (2014) Preliminary Report on Aerial Survey of Elephants and other Large Herbivores covering the Zambezi Valley, Sebungwe Region, North West Matabeleland and Gonarezhou National Park: 2014. Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, December 2014.

29 http://oxpeckers.org/2016/04/how-to-steal-an-ivory-stockpile/30 https://cites.org/eng/news/pr/african_elephants_still_in_decline_due_to_high_levels_of_poaching_0303201631 https://cites.org/eng/news/pr/african_elephants_still_in_decline_due_to_high_levels_of_poaching_0303201632 http://www.africanelephantcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/cotonou-declaration.pdf33 http://www.desdemonadespair.net/2015/11/poachers-attempt-to-smuggle-endangered.html34 http://7city.org/main/25054-at-domodedovo-detained-smuggler-to-the-peregrine-falcon-eggs.html35 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/02/iraq-hunting-arbitrary-falcons-smuggling-gulf.html#36 http://www.thelocal.es/20160211/spain-busts-gang-trafficking-falcons-for-uae-races37 http://www.nwcu.police.uk/news/nwcu-police-press-releases/father-and-daughter-plead-guilty-to-trying-to-sell-

wild-peregrines/38 http://www.nwcu.police.uk/news/nwcu-police-press-releases/four-and-a-half-years-imprisonment-for-

international-falcon-smuggler/39 http://www.dawn.com/news/122923140 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-29/falcon-peregrine-chick-survives-trafficking-ordeal/712344441 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266259032_The_Biology_and_Conservation_Status_of_the_American_

Crocodile_in_Colombia42 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sophie_Calme/publication/233401998_Population_status_

and_distribution_of_Crocodylus_acutus_and_C._moreletii_in_southeastern_Quintana_Roo_Mexico/links/0fcfd50a42922260d2000000.pdf

43 Altherr, S. (2014): Stolen Wildlife - Why the EU needs to tackle smuggling of nationally protected species. Report by Pro Wildlife, Munich, Germany, 28 pp.

44 Mozambique (bruessoworum, gorongosae, maspictus, nebulauctor, tilburyi); Tanzania (acuminatus, beraduccii, moyeri, spinosus, temporalis, uluguruensis, viridis); Malawi (chapmanorum, platyceps); DRC (hattinghi).

45 Altherr, S. (2014): Stolen Wildlife - Why the EU needs to tackle smuggling of nationally protected species. Report by Pro Wildlife, Munich, Germany, 28 pp.

PROPOSAL ENDNOTES

79w w w . s s n . o r g


46 Flecks, M., Weinsheimer, F., Boehme, W., Chenga, J., Loetters, S. and Roedder, D. (2012): Watching extinction happen: the dramatic population status of the critically endangered Tanzanian Turquoise Dwarf Gecko, Lygodactylus williamsi. Salamandra 48: 12-20.

47 UNEP-WCMC. 2013. Review of Lygodactylus williamsi. Report to the European Commission by UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge, 9 pp. Available at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/cites/pdf/reports/SRG66%20Review%20of%20Lygodactylus%20williamsi%20(public).pdf

48 UNEP-WCMC. 2013. Review of Lygodactylus williamsi. Report to the European Commission by UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge, 9 pp. Available at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/cites/pdf/reports/SRG66%20Review%20of%20Lygodactylus%20williamsi%20(public).pdf

49 http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/full/172883/050 Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2007): A field guide to the Amphibians and reptiles of Madagascar. 3rd edition, Cologne,

Vences & Glaw (eds), p. 370.51 Bora, P., Glaw, F., Rabibisoa, N., Ratsoavina, F., Raxworthy, C.J. & Rakotondrazafy, N.A. 2011. Paroedura masobe.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e.T172883A6935268. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T172883A6935268.en.

52 Glaw, F. et al. (2003): Paroedura - Nachtgeckos aus Madagaskar. DATZ 9: 6-11. http://www.mvences.de/p/p4/Vences_D27.pdf

53 http://news.mongabay.com/2014/09/bizarre-lizard-newest-victim-of-reptile-pet-trade/54 http://news.mongabay.com/2014/09/bizarre-lizard-newest-victim-of-reptile-pet-trade/55 https://news.mongabay.com/2015/10/german-man-arrested-in-jakarta-with-eight-earless-lizards/56 http://regional.kompas.com/read/2016/03/15/17180021/Paket.Bertuliskan.Mie.Ramen.Isinya.Biawak.Tak.

Bertelinga57 https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/cop/13/prop/E13-P31.pdf58 https://wildlifenews.co.uk/2013/09/british-citizen-gets-5-years-jail-in-kenya-over-suspected-snake-smuggling/59 “Conservation Status of the Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles of Sub-Saharan Africa”, held in Lome, Togo, August

201360 http://140.121.182.68/cuora/turtleweb/download/Chen_et_al_CCB.pdf61 http://www.trafficj.org/publication/11_Trade_in_Malagasy_Reptile.pdf62 http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?194250/New-law-backs-up-Malaysian-customs-efforts-to-stop-endangered-

tortoise-smugglers63 Reading, R.R., T.J. Weaver, J.R. Garcia, R. Elias Piperis, M.T. Herbert, C. Cortez, A. Muñoz, J.E. Rodríguez & Y.

Matamoros (Eds.) 2011. Taller para establecer la Estrategia de Conservación de la Rana del Titicaca (Telmatobius culeus). 13-15 de diciembre, 2011. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas de la Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno, Perú. Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (SSC/IUCN)/CBSG Mesoamerica.

64 The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) Recommendation 2009-07, prohibits any retention, landing and sale of A. superciliosus; the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean adopted the same measure in 2010; and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) prohibited the retention, landing, and sale of any part or whole carcass of all species of the family Alopiidae in 2012.

65 https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/com/ac/28/E-AC28-18.pdf66 https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/com/ac/28/E-AC28-18.pdf67 https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/com/ac/28/E-AC28-18.pdf 68 Vagelli, A.A. 2008. The unfortunate journey of Pterapogon kauderni: A remarkable apogonid endangered by the

international ornamental fish trade, and its case in CITES. SPC Live Reef Fish Information Bulletin, 18: 17–28.69 http://www.icrs2012.com/proceedings/manuscripts/ICRS2012_17A_2.pdf70 Dunstan, A, O. Alanis, and J. Marshall. 2010. Nautilus pompilius fishing and population decline in the Philippines: A

comparison with an unexploited Australian Nautilus population. Fisheries Research 106(2): 239–247.71 Freitas, B. & K. Krishnasamy. 2016. An Investigation into the Trade of Nautilus. TRAFFIC, World Wildlife Fund.

Washington DC. USA.72 Dunstan, et al. (2010).73 http://www.cubacollectibles.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Offset=178&Category_

Code=POLYMITAS&DSP=44&574 NatureServe. 2016. Central database. Arlington, Virginia, USA. http://www.natureserve.org 75 All parts and derivatives, except:

a) seeds (including seedpods of Orchidaceae), spores and pollen (including pollinia). The exemption does not apply to seeds from Cactaceae spp. exported from Mexico, and to seeds from Beccariophoenix madagascariensis and Neodypsis decaryi exported from Madagascar; b) seedling or tissue cultures obtained in vitro, in solid or liquid media, transported in sterile containers; c) cut flowers of artificially propagated plants; d) fruits, and parts and derivatives thereof, of naturalized or artificially propagated plants of the genus Vanilla (Orchidaceae) and of the family Cactaceae; e) stems, flowers, and parts and derivatives thereof, of naturalized or artificially propagated plants of the genera Opuntia subgenus Opuntia and Selenicereus (Cactaceae); and f) finished products of Euphorbia antisyphilitica packaged and ready for retail trade.

76 https://eia-international.org/the-siamese-rosewood-craze-for-whom-the-bell-tolls77 http://www.forest-trends.org/documents/files/doc_5057.pdf78 http://www.forest-trends.org/documents/files/doc_5057.pdf79 http://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/at070780 http://www.rarexoticseeds.com/en/adansonia-grandidieri-seeds-giant-baobab-seeds.html; http://www.

seedvendor.com/5seadgrsegrb.html81 http://redlist.sanbi.org/species.php?species=2061-1 82 http://www.sntc.org.sz/reserves/malflorapriorityspp.asp 83 Logs, sawn wood, veneer sheets, plywood, powder and extracts.84 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/cites/pdf/reports/Bulnesia_sarmientoi.pdf

PROPOSAL ENDNOTES, continued

80

1 “Help eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable; reduce rural poverty; enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems; Increase the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises.”

2 Dakar Declaration on the Development of Subregional Enforcement Collaboration (http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/Dakar-declaration-English-French.pdf)

3 Vigne, L. and E. Martin (2014). China faces a conservation challenge: the expanding elephant and mammoth ivory trade in Beijing and Shanghai. Save the Elephants and The Aspinall Foundation.

4 2013. Report of the Eighth Meeting of the Scientific Committee of ACCOBAMS.5 See, e.g., John Bredar (2013), The Ivory Trade: Thinking Like a Businessman to Stop the Business http://

newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/02/26/the-ivory-trade-thinking-like-a-businessman-to-stop-the-business/; WildAid (2014), Ivory Demand in China, 2012-14 (95% of survey respondents supported a government ban on the ivory trade) http://www.wildaid.org/sites/default/files/resources/Print_Ivory%20Report_Final_v3.pdf.

6 UNODC (2010), The Globalization of Crime: A Transnational Organized Crime Threat Assessment at 278, http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/tocta-2010.html.

7 http://www.nber.org/papers/w223148 EIA, Illegal trade seizures: Elephant ivory, https://eia-international.org/our-work/environmental-crime-and-

governance/illegal-wildlife-trade/illegal-trade-seizures-elephant-ivory9 https://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/species/who_we_are/ssc_specialist_groups_and_red_list_

authorities_directory/mammals/african_elephant/statements/captive_use/10 http://www.elephantvoices.org/multimedia-resources/statements-a-testimonies.html11 Hsiang, S. and N. Sekar (2016). Does legalization reduce black market activity? Evidence from a global ivory

experiment and elephant poaching data. NBER Working Paper Series, Working Paper 22314.12 Access at https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/com/sc/66/E-SC66-47-01.pdf13 Hsiang, S. and N. Sekar (2016). Does legalization reduce black market activity? Evidence from a global ivory

experiment and elephant poaching data. NBER Working Paper Series, Working Paper 22314.14 SK Wasser et al. (June 2015), Genetic assignment of large seizures of elephant ivory reveals Africa’s major

poaching hotspots, Science, Science. DOI:10.1126/science.aaa245715 http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?251412/thailand-destroys-stockpile-of-illegal-ivory

16 http://eia-global.org/news-media/japans-illegal-ivory-trade-and-fraudulent-registration-of-ivory-tusks17 https://eia-international.org/wp-content/uploads/EIA-Sin-City-FINAL-med-res.pdf18 http://press.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/8872/Statement-of-Concern-by-Tiger-

Biologists.aspx 19 https://eia-international.org/wp-content/uploads/Caged-Assets-revised.pdf 20 https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/com/sc/65/E-SC65-38-A01_0.pdf21 Debbie Banks, personal communication, 28 August 2016. 22 https://eia-international.org/wp-content/uploads/EIA_Table-of-Tiger-Crime-Incidents_July-2015_updated-

July-2016.pdf23 https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/cop/14/rep/E14-Com-II-Rep-14.pdf24 http://www.un-grasp.org/download/ 25 https://www.iucn.org/news_homepage/news_by_date722405/Saving-the-Worlds-most-illegally-traded-

wild-mammal26 Shepherd, C.R., E. Connelly, L. Hywood, and P. Cassey. 2016. Taking a stand against illegal wildlife trade: the

Zimbabwean approach to pangolin conservation. Oryx 1-6.27 https://eia-international.org/seeing-red-the-often-hidden-colour-of-wildlife-contraband28 C.laire Beastall, C. hris R. Shepherd, Y.okyok Hadiprakarsa aAnd D.ebbie Martyr (2016). Trade in the

Helmeted Hornbill Rhinoplax vigil: the ‘ivory hornbill’. Bird Conservation International, 26:, pp 137-14629 http://www.iucn-csg.org/index.php/2016/05/14/stronger-protection-needed-to-prevent-imminent-

extinction-of-mexican-porpoise-vaquita-new-survey-finds/30 Logs, sawn wood, veneer sheets, plywood, powder and extracts.31 All parts and derivatives except: a) seeds and pollen; b) seedling or tissue cultures obtained in vitro, in

solid or liquid media, transported in sterile containers; c) fruits; d) leaves; e) exhausted agarwood powder, including compressed powder in all shapes; and f) finished products packaged and ready for retail trade, this exemption does not apply to beads, prayer beads and carvings.

32 Solomon Hsiang & Nitin Sekar (June 2016), Does Legalization Reduce Black Market Activity? Evidence from a Global Ivory Experiment and Elephant Poaching Data, NBER Working Paper No. 22314.

WORKING DOCUMENT ENDNOTES

NOTES

The Species Survival Network

Photos credits: Front outside cover: Ton Rulkens (Siphonochilus aethiopicus), Daniel Ariano Sánchez (Abronia campbelli), Nick Bonzy (Mobula spp.), J. Baecker (Nautilidae spp.), Kwan Han (Dalbergia cochinchinensis), Steven Tan (Panthera leo), Ansar Khan (Manis crassicaudata), © World Parrot Trust, photo taken by Rowan Martin (Psittacus erithicus timneh). Front inside cover: Jumblejet/flickr. (Ceratotherium simum ). Back inside cover: Peter Pham/flickr (Loxodonta africana). Back outside cover: © Brent Stapelkamp / Courtesy of Anastasia Photo (Panthera leo). Proposals: Alaska Region US Fish and Wildlife Service (Prop. 1); Dezidor/Wikimedia (Prop. 2); Geri/flickr (Prop. 3); Steven Tan/Flickr (Prop. 4); US Fish and Wildlife Service (Prop. 5); Blake Matheson/flickr (Prop. 6); Blake Matheson/flickr (Prop. 7); Ansar Khan (Props. 8 and 9); Katala Foundation Inc. (Prop. 10); Tranquockhainhrx2009/Wikimedia (Prop. 11); David Brossard (Prop. 12): AAP Animal Advocacy and Protection / Raquel García (Prop. 13); Mario Micklisch/flickr (Prop. 14, 15, 16); Thomas Helbig (Prop. 17); Rexness/flickr (Prop. 18); Olivier Blitzblum/flickr (Prop. 19); Nga Manu Images NZ (Prop. 20); Tomás Castelazo (Prop. 21); Alastair Rae (Prop. 22); Thorsten Mohr (Prop. 23); Louis Jones (Prop. 24); Daniel Ariano Sánchez (Prop. 25); Adam G. Clause (Prop. 26); Martin Nielsen, M.Nielsen Photo (Props. 27 and 28); Lee Grismer (Prop. 29); Jose Osuna (Prop. 30); Frank Teigler (Prop. 31); Frank Colacicco (Prop. 32); Thomas Ziegler (Prop. 33); Maik Dobiey (Prop. 34); Maik Dobiey (Prop. 35); Tragopan/Wikimedia (Prop. 36); Heather Paul (Prop. 37); Frank Vassen (Prop. 38); Frank Vassen (Prop. 39); Maik Dobiey(Prop. 40); Charles Lam (Prop. 41); Alex Chernikh (Prop. 42); Klaus Steifel (Prop. 43); Nick Bonzy (Prop. 44); Smithsonian’s National Zoo (Prop. 45); Tambako the Jaguar/flickr (Prop. 46); Elias Levy (Prop. 47); J. Baecker (Prop. 48); Thomas Brown (Prop. 49); Amante Darnamin (Prop. 50); James Ho (Prop. 51); Dornenwolf/flickr (Prop. 52); Kwan Han (Prop. 53); Andres Sanchun (Prop. 54); Forest and Kim Starr (Prop. 55); Scamperdale/flickr (Prop. 56); Marco Schmidt (Prop. 57); Ralph Kränzlein (Prop. 58); F. D. Richards(Prop. 59); Loupok/flickr (Prop. 60); Ton Rulkens (Prop. 61); Ulk Drechsel (Prop. 62)

Editors: Barry Kent MacKay, Ronald Orenstein, Teresa Telecky

SSN Board Members: Will Travers (Chair), Dr. Teresa Telecky (Vice-Chair), Adam Roberts (Treasurer), Sue Fisher (Secretary), Debbie Banks, Juan Carlos Cantú, Elodie Gerome, Wim de Kok, Geert Drieman, Barry Kent MacKay, Dr. Ronald Orenstein, Linda Paul and Victor Watkins

The Species Survival Network: Your Ally at CITES

SSN CONTACTSSSN HeadquartersMr. Will Travers OBE, PresidentMs. Ann Michels, Executive Director1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 450Washington DC 20037 USAE-mail: [email protected]

For AfricaMr. Will Travers OBE, CoordinatorBorn Free Foundation3 Grove House, Foundry LaneHorsham, West Sussex RH13 5PL UKE-mail: [email protected]

For AsiaMr. Wim de Kok, CoordinatorWorld Animal Net19 Chestnut SquareBoston, MA 02130 USAE-mail: [email protected]

For EuropeMs. Daniela Freyer, CoordinatorPro Wildlife e.V.Kidlerstr. 2D-81371 Munchen, GermanyE-mail: [email protected]

For North AmericaMr. Adam Roberts, CoordinatorBorn Free USAPO Box 32160Washington, DC 20007 USAE-mail: [email protected]

For Central and South America and the CaribbeanMs. Maria Elena Sánchez, CoordinatorTeyeliz, A.C.Ahuehuetes Sur 811Bosques de las Lomas, México, D.F. 11700, MéxicoE-mail: [email protected]

For OceaniaMs. Alexia Wellbelove, CoordinatorHumane Society International – AustraliaP.O. Box 302Avalon, NSW, 2107, AustraliaE-mail: [email protected]

SSN would like to thank our Member Organisation, Fondation Brigitte Bardot, for financially supporting the translation of this document.

SPECIES SURVIVAL NETWORK 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 450

Washington DC 20037E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.ssn.org

VULCAN PHILANTHROPYVulcan Inc.

505 Fifth Avenue South Suite 900Seattle, Washington USA 98104

Website: VULCAN.com

‘Cecil’

SPECIES PROPOSALS WORKING DOCUMENTS

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