US wildlife trade data lack quality control necessary for accurate scientific interpretation and policy application

Abstract

International wildlife trade data are frequently used by government agencies, conservation organizations, and scientific researchers to study and protect species from overexploitation and prevent the spread of invasive species and introduction of zoonotic pathogens. Inaccurate data can lead to mistaken conclusions by researchers, the development of unsuccessful remedial conservation actions, and provide government officials with incorrect views of detrimental trade. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) maintains the world's most comprehensive national dataset of legal and illegal international wildlife trade recorded by individual shipments and species in its Law Enforcement Management Information System (LEMIS). Although the importance of LEMIS data is not to be understated, the errors and inconsistencies contained therein have not previously been adequately recognized or studied. Based on firsthand experiences with the creation and application of LEMIS data, this manuscript describes a variety of errors, biases, omissions, and an overall lack of data quality assurance. An independent audit of the LEMIS wildlife trade database and the service's policies, procedures, and protocols for managing this system is needed. Additional recommendations are also offered to develop better management standards and bring greater resources for managing LEMIS, asking the nongovernmental organization and intergovernmental organization user communities to play a role.

Global wildlife trade and trafficking contribute to the world’s nonhuman primate conservation crisis

“…If we are to reduce wildlife trafficking, it must be considered a transnational criminal activity of the highest concern and hence counter measures, including the reporting of suspected financial transactions are needed (FATF, 2021;FinCEN, 2021;TRAFFIC, 2023). Other possible counter measures include working with airlines and logistics companies to use AI to identify international smuggling, connecting with tech giants to eradicate trafficking on social media, and improved data tracking by national governments and transnational organizations (SMACC, 2023;Weissgold, 2024). Partnering with the business community in the fight against wildlife crime may prove to be an effective way to reduce wildlife trafficking and enforce compliance with local and international laws (FATF, 2021;FinCEN, 2021).…”