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1 International Trade in Wildlife [i] (2012)

handle is hein.animal/intrwi0001 and id is 1 raw text is: seizures of illegal ivory, including a massive seven-ton haul of African elephant ivory destined for Japan. A second one-time sale of stockpiled ivory-approved in 2007-from Botswana, Nambia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe to Japan, and later China, once again proved disastrous for elephants. The Elephant Trade Information System established by CITES reported increased poaching of elephants after the decision. Implementation of CITES requirements by member countries is also problematic. For instance, member countries exporting Appendix II species are required to make a non-detriment finding (NDF) to ensure that trade will not harm the species in the wild. While CITES has adopted broad standards for NDFs and engages in capacity-building to help countries meet their NDF responsibilities, complete compliance is compromised by the fact that member countries assert the right to determine their own NDF protocol and procedures. CITES currently does not require NDFs to be in writing, made publicly available, or even provided to importing countries as proof the trade is legal. Valuable and highly exploited wildlife is suffering for the sake of commercial trade. CITES is currently failing to ensure the survival of many of the threatened and endangered plants and animals in dire need of protection. From bluefin tuna who have been unsustainably fished for decades Consumers may unknowingly contribute to the decline of species, particularly when the origins of the products are not readily apparent-as with these turtle shell bracelets. and whose populations have declined precipitously in the last 50 years, to vastly depleted pink and red corals collected to make jewelry, the continued international trade in many species severely compromises their chances of survival. Decisions at CITES should be based on science and motivated by the desire to conserve species. Politics, palates, economics, and vanity, however, are often primary factors in decisions over which species get listed and what proposals are put forth. In 2010, a new secretariat took the helm of CITES. It is hoped that the new leadership will favor science and conservation over profits and consumption. Time will tell whether CITES will evolve into a treaty that truly regulates sustainable trade and offers species threatened by international trade the protections they need and deserve.

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