Updates by species

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

Polar bears draw a crowd

Submitted by Christine Eustis on March 15, 2010 - 8:50am

The CoP15 representatives met for the second day of the conference on Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. local time. Sunday is not a weekend day in Qatar – the weekend is Friday and Saturday - so delegates convened for a full day of business. The meeting began with a plenary session in the great hall where the delegates adopted the agenda and working program for the two week meeting. The agenda has many substantial issues, including 42 species proposals. The plenary session also featured reports from the technical committees for CITES which includes the Animals Committee and the Plants Committee. These committees manage the substantive scientific work of CITES and an impressive body of work has been addressed by these 2 committees since the last CoP.

	Jane Lyder interviews with reporter from Gulf Times
	Lyder joins Rosemarie Gnam and Craig Hoover from FWS for NGO briefing
	Jane Lyder speaks to delegates at polar bear briefing

Opening ceremonies

Submitted by Christine Eustis on March 14, 2010 - 8:50am

Yesterday, the U.S. delegation to the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES joined more than 175 other countries’ delegations in Doha, Qatar for the opening ceremonies. Qatar, a small, oil-rich nation along the Persian Gulf is host to this important international wildlife trade convention that last occurred three years ago in The Netherlands. This is the first time that CITES has met in the Middle East and the State of Qatar is demonstrating its commitment to CITES by investing substantial financial resources to host the meeting.

	Entrance to Sheraton Hotel, site of CoP15, Doha, Qatar
	Plenary Session, Opening Ceremony, Doha, Qatar
	Jane Lyder, Acting Head of U.S. Delegation with Head of Chinese Delegation
	Qatar Entertainers, Opening Ceremony

More information about: Atlantic bluefin tuna