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Reports from the CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP15) in Doha, Qatar
The United States is one of 175 member countries to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (commonly referred to as CITES).
During the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP15), U.S. Delegates reported here on U.S. negotiations and positions. View U.S. positions, priority issues and updates from Doha, Qatar.
Committee II Makes Important Decisions that Affect Species Conservation
Submitted by Christine Eustis on March 25, 2010 - 8:37am
Committee II completed their work by making some important decisions.
These decisions including a definition of "hunting trophy," an update on bushmeat trade, approval of U.S. captive breeding facilities for falcons, financing and budgeting for CITES, and Asian turtle and snake conservation are summarized below. For a complete report on the work of the Committee and other business of CITES, visit the CITES Secretariat website at www.cites.org.
 | Craig Hoover, FWS, leads discussions in Committee II |
U.S. Head of Delegation Interviews on English Al Jazeera Television Station
Submitted by Christine Eustis on March 24, 2010 - 12:24am
On Tuesday, March 23, Tom Strickland, Head of the U.S. delegation and Jane Lyder, alternative head of delegation, were invited to do a live, on camera television interview at Al Jazeera T.V. headquartered in Doha, Qatar. Al Jazeera T.V. reaches more than 190 million households in the Middle East and has an English speaking station.
 | Tom Strickland at Al Jazeera English TV Studio in Doha |
 | Al Jazeera English TV newsroom |
 | Tom Strickland on the set of Al Jazeera TV |
 | Tom Strickland on live TV at Al Jazeera |
CITES Parties Reject Shark Proposals By a Narrow Margin
Submitted by Christine Eustis on March 23, 2010 - 12:34pm
Assistant Secretary Tom Strickland, head of the U.S. Delegation to the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), expressed disappointment that the Parties did not grant protection to four species of sharks considered today at the meeting of the Conference of the Parties. The U.S. and Palau had introduced two proposals to list several species of hammerhead sharks and the oceanic whitetip shark under Appendix II to regulate the international trade of these highly threatened species. The decisions were reached after intense discussion among the 175 nations represented at the Convention.
U.S. Continues to Demonstrate Leadership on Elephant Conservation
Submitted by Christine Eustis on March 22, 2010 - 7:22pm
The United States was successful in maintaining a moratorium on any further ivory sales under the convention. Through intense bi-lateral discussions, the United States delegation helped shape the debate on three important proposals addressing the conservation of African elephants.
 | Tom Strickland and Jane Lyder speak with NGOs regarding elephant conservation |
 | Jane Lyder and Mary Cogliano, from FWS intervene on behalf of elephant conservation |
International Community Does Not Adopt Proposal to Protect Rare Red and Pink Corals
Submitted by Christine Eustis on March 21, 2010 - 6:44pm
Tom Strickland, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks for the Department of the Interior and head of the U.S. delegation for the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), expressed disappointment for the decision by the Parties not to adopt the U.S. proposal to list 31 species of red and pink corals under Appendix II of the Convention, which would have regulated the international trade in these vulnerable species. The proposal, cosponsored by the European Union, was disapproved by a vote of 64 in support, 59 opposed and 10 abstentions.
 | Strickland reads coral proposal accompanied by Laura Noguchi from FWS |
Important Decisions Regarding Conservation of Asian Big Cats and Rhinos Considered
Submitted by Christine Eustis on March 19, 2010 - 2:01pm
Committee II is undertaking the fundamental business of CITES including budget and implementation issues, decisions and resolutions. The species proposals are being considered in Committee I, however, there are important decisions and resolutions being considered in Committee II that may impact species that are of high priority for the U.S.
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Proposal Not Adopted After Intense Debate
Submitted by Christine Eustis on March 18, 2010 - 9:26pm
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The proposal to list Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) under Appendix I of CITES was not adopted today by the Parties. The proposal, sponsored by the Principality of Monaco, and strongly supported by the United States, garnered intense debate by the Parties due to the importance of this migratory fish species for commercial purposes. The final tally was 20 in support, 68 against and 30 abstentions.
 | Lyder speaks to press after bluefin tuna decision |
 | Strickland being interviewed by Japanese press about bluefin decision |
U.S. Proposal on Polar Bears Not Adopted by CITES
Submitted by Christine Eustis on March 18, 2010 - 12:42pm
“We must continue efforts to tackle climate change”
Tom Strickland, Asst. Secretary of the Interior
WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary of the Interior Tom Strickland today said the United States is disappointed its proposal to protect polar bears from international trade was not accepted by the 175-nation the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora meeting this week in Doha, Qatar, but that the United States would continue to work with other countries on threats to the species, including climate change.
