Boosting CITES

摘要

International wildlife trade remains a leading threat to biodiversity conservation (7) and is a common vector for infectious diseases (2, 3) and invasive species {4) that also affect agriculture, livestock, and public health. With 175 member countries, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) is the most important global initiative to monitor and regulate international trade of plants and animals (5). CITES regulates trade of nearly 34,000 species and has reduced threats associated with overharvest of imperiled species for international trade. Credible biological and trade data are core to informing decisions and garnering political will and consensus among CITES parties (6). This does not preclude party bargaining, as occurred during the March 2010 Conference of Parties (CoP) debate over bluefin tuna [e.g., (7)].