Long delays in banning trade in threatened species

Frank, Eyal G.; Wilcove, David S.

doi:10.1126/science.aav4013

Cited by 60 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…While a CITES listing does not automatically mean that a species is protected, it does, if properly implemented, regulate the international trade. Apart from CITES, there is no international mechanism that can prevent over-exploitation for the international trade [12,14,21]. While the USA is at least recording all wildlife imports (and exports) at the species level via its LEMIS database, the European Union does not record such species-specific import and export data, apart from a small number of species that are listed in the EU Annex D. While Annex D aims to record import data, it does not at all regulate imports.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Initiatives for proposals are often hindered by a lack of precise trade data and information on wild populations, as well as by economic interests [4,5,12,13,74]. Accordingly, while CITES maybe currently the best available tool to regulate international trade in wild species, this framework, which only covers a small portion of species in trade, is reactive, does follow a precautionary principle, and leaves trade in most reptile and amphibian species unmonitored and unregulated [3,14,74].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Population data of recently described species are naturally scarce and thus they are neither evaluated by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species nor are they subject to international trade restrictions [4,5,12]. The inclusion of a species in Appendix I or II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which would prohibit or regulate international trade, is often hampered by a lack of data, economic interests and the fact that Conferences of the Parties only take place every three years [12][13][14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Rush for the Rare: Reptiles and Amphibians in the European Pet Trade

Altherr

Lameter

2020

Animals

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Direct exploitation is one of the five main reasons for the loss of biodiversity, and collections for the international pet trade are an ongoing threat for many reptiles and amphibians. The European Union and in particular Germany have a central role as a hub and destination for exotic pets from all over the world. Rare species of reptiles and amphibians especially are in the focus of collectors. Rarity on the market may be either caused by rarity of a species in the wild or by a limited availability for sale, e.g., due to national protection measures in the range state or remote localities. The present study identified 43 species that are not listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and were only recently described, but have already entered the European pet trade. Ten of these species were selected as case studies, representing species from different geographic regions and illustrating the marketing mechanisms. Many such species that are new to science are neither assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species nor are they covered by international legislation, even though in several countries, where such internationally sought-after species are caught, national protection measures are in place. This paper analyses the challenges and opportunities for the protection of potentially threatened and newly described reptile and amphibian species against over-exploitation for the pet trade.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Rush for the Rare: Reptiles and Amphibians in the European Pet Trade

Altherr

Lameter

2020

Animals

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“…Management and regulation of stocks and stockpiles of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild flora and fauna (CITES)‐listed species presents a complex, unresolved issue, globally (Frank & Wilcove, 2019; Supporting Information Appendix A). The foremost challenge involved is prevention of further illegal sourcing of—and trade in—threatened products.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The elephant in the room: Madagascar's rosewood stocks and stockpiles

Wilmé

Innes

Schuurman

et al. 2020

CONSERVATION LETTERS

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To prevent the illegal trade in wild species, stock management is critical given stocks function as a buffer to supply chains during lean periods or as a mechanism for market speculation. The Madagascar government with backing by the World Bank recently promoted the sale of confiscated rosewood to reach a zero‐stocks situation. To better assess options, we contrast the risks and rewards of four stock management options. Stock destruction broadcasts a potent conservation message, but provides little economic benefit. National trade can be beneficial to local socioeconomic development goals, but can lead to laundering of illegal products. International trade is fraught with risks related to illegal trade and is perceived to achieve the least related to forest and socioeconomic indicators. Lastly, banking stocks act to postpone decisions. No management option ensures a sustainable solution, but critical analyses allow better insight to the strengths and weaknesses of the available approaches.

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“…Stocks and stockpiles of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora) listed wildlife and forest-derived products present a complex, unresolved issue on a global scale (Frank and Wilcove 2019). The foremost challenge surrounding stocks is the prevention of further illegal sourcing ofand trade in-these threatened products.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Management options for addressing the persistent and unresolved CITES issue of Madagascar’s rosewood stocks and stockpile

Wilmé

Innes

Schuurman³

et al. 2019

Preprint

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Stocks and stockpiles of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora) listed wildlife, including animal and plant-derived products, remain a complex, unresolved issue. The biggest challenges lie in the prevention of further illegal sourcing of—and trade in—products originating from wild populations of threatened species. Stocks can function as a buffer during lean periods or as a mechanism used for speculation. As we outline in this paper, the current situation in Madagascar precludes non-detriment findings intended to enable sustainable use of standing rosewood populations. Backed by the World Bank, the previous Malagasy government was in the process of promoting the sale of massive stocks and stockpiles of confiscated precious woods in order to reach a zero stocks goal, this being ostensibly to halt the illegal sourcing and trafficking of rosewood. We propose and analyse four potential options for stocks management by presenting a framework linking forest management with socio-economic objectives and comparative risks. Destruction (burning) of the known stocks would send out a strong conservation message and has the strongest chance of halting further sourcing, which happens mostly in protected areas and is therefore illegal. National trade is the option in which a precious timber sector would process the woods in stocks. This option is the most beneficial for development. Opening the stocks for exportation through international trade achieves the smallest number of objectives in relation to both forests and socio-economic indicators, but comes with the highest risks in terms of curbing further illegal logging. Banking represents a fourth option, which essentially postpones any decision related to stocks management by storing the stocks for extended periods. None of the four management options is able to ensure a sustainable solution that can resolve the issues surrounding the precious timber stocks. The approaches put forward are either just ‘more good’, or ‘less good’. If a country is seriously interested in conserving its biodiversity, any government has to ensure that no other sectorial changes will counteract, or potentially undermine, the efforts to protect the environment. Stocks management will be on agenda at the upcoming COP18 in Geneva, 17–28 August 2019.

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Long delays in banning trade in threatened species

Abstract: Scientific knowledge should be applied with more urgency

Cited by 60 publications

References 8 publications

The Rush for the Rare: Reptiles and Amphibians in the European Pet Trade

The Rush for the Rare: Reptiles and Amphibians in the European Pet Trade

The elephant in the room: Madagascar's rosewood stocks and stockpiles

Management options for addressing the persistent and unresolved CITES issue of Madagascar’s rosewood stocks and stockpile

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