September 29, 2003

Subject: Trade Restrictions on Live and Dead Queen Conch (Strombus gigas), Parts and Products

Background:
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service received notice from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Secretariat that the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Honduras failed to satisfy the CITES Parties that the required non-detriment findings are being made when issuing permits for queen conch. This failure poses a serious threat to populations of queen conch in the Caribbean. In response to recommendations from CITES, the Dominican Republic and Honduras have suspended issuance of permits for queen conch. Haiti has not implemented the recommended actions.

The CITES Secretariat’s notice recommends that all CITES countries refuse import of queen conch from the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Honduras. Trade restrictions are already in place for the import of queen conch from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The Endangered Species Act prohibits trade in specimens contrary to the CITES Convention. Articles II and VIII of CITES require that we take appropriate measures to enforce the provisions of the treaty and to prohibit trade in specimens that are in violation of the treaty. Article III of CITES requires that we consider permits and certificates to be valid only when the exporting country has made the required determination that trade in the specimens will not be detrimental to the wild population.

As a member of CITES, the United States is committed to carrying out decisions and policies approved by CITES countries that reflect appropriate interpretations of the treaty. Based upon the lack of required non-detriment findings, the United States cannot establish that current trade in queen conch is sustainable and not detrimental to the wild population. Any export permit, or re-export certificate issued for queen conch by Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, or Trinidad and Tobago is considered invalid and the queen conch may not be imported.

Action:
Effective immediately, the United States will prohibit the import of queen conch (live, dead, meat, shells, and other parts or products) from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, and Trinidad and Tobago. This prohibition will apply to all commercial and noncommercial imports of queen conch, including tourist souvenirs and personal effects. All such shipments or specimens are subject to seizure and forfeiture.

Additional information on queen conch.

Contact:
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Office of Law Enforcement
703-358-1949 703-358-2271 (fax)