Gaining Traction: Retreading the Wheels of Marine Conservation |
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| Authors: | PHAEDRA DOUKAKIS E C M PARSONS†‡ WILLIAM C G BURNS§ ANNE K SALOMON†† ELLEN HINES‡‡ JOHN A CIGLIANO§§ |
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| Institution: | Institute for Ocean Conservation Science, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, U.S.A., email;Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, U.S.A.;University Marine Biological Station Millport, Isle of Cumbrae, KA28 0EG, Scotland, United Kingdom;Santa Clara University School of Law, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053, U.S.A.;Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, U.S.A.;School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6;Department of Geography and Human Environmental Studies, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132, U.S.A.;Department of Biological Sciences, Cedar Crest College, 100 College Drive, Allentown, PA 18104, U.S.A. |
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| Abstract: | Abstract: A number of international treaties address the conservation of marine resources. The declining state of the world's oceans suggests that these treaties are not succeeding and could use improvement. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is increasingly embracing the conservation of marine species. We examine the evolution of marine species protection under CITES and illuminate some of the mechanisms used and challenges faced in implementing CITES protection. We found that clarification is needed on when and where CITES applies and how CITES should work with other treaties and institutions. The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) can contribute to increased effectiveness of CITES for marine conservation. Foremost, the SCB community could foster dialogue on creating a broad vision of how CITES should apply to marine species and how it can synergistically interact with other important marine-conservation treaties and institutions. More specific contributions could focus on defining listing criteria for marine species, improving the science behind the nondetriment finding, and offering technical guidance on species proposals. A future role for SCB could be to contribute to the enhanced effectiveness of other marine conservation agreements such as the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, the International Whaling Commission, and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea . |
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| Keywords: | CITES international treaties marine conservation agreements nondetriment finding |
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