New CITES Regulations on Rosewood, Ebony, Reptiles Take Effect
International trade restrictions on rosewood, ebony and certain reptile species approved in March by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species are now in effect. The new restrictions, approved at CITES triennial world conference, became enforceable June 12. At the conference, member states added several species of rosewood and ebony to CITES Appendix II, which includes species not currently threatened with extinction but may become so without restrictions on trade (see 13031805). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service posted a letter on its website to importers and exporters of the species, detailing information about the new listings (here). Exports of rosewoods and ebonies from Asia, Central America and Madagascar now require CITES permits assuring that the exports are not harming wild populations.
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Also effective June 12 were new restrictions on 44 species of Asian freshwater turtles and three species of North American pond turtles. Most of the species were added to Appendix II. Four of the Asian turtles, however, were added to Appendix I, which includes species threatened with extinction and provides the highest level of protection. Trade in these species is effectively prohibited.
New CITES restrictions on three species of hammerhead sharks and manta rays -- also approved in March -- won't become effective until Sept. 14, 2014 (see 13031201 for more on those restrictions). For a complete list of all 165 decisions and 36 resolutions approved at the March conference, see (here).