Benefits of listing a marine species in CITES Appendix II

Oceanic Whitetip Shark, Credit: Copyright © Brian Skerry

• Provide a global framework (177 countries are Parties to CITES) for cooperation and collaboration among countries to ensure that international trade in these species is sustainable, even in areas beyond any national jurisdiction.

• Complement countries’ domestic efforts to sustainably manage marine species and help to achieve healthy fisheries globally.

• Help to ensure compliance with Regional Fishery Management Organization marine conservation and management measures.

• Promote data collection and assessment of listed species needed to set forth science-based management and policy decisions.

• Fill the gaps for marine species that are not subject to regional or international management.

• Help countries address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which undermines the sustainability of shared fishery resources.