Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Public Input on Effective Im

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Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Public Input on Effective Implementation
of CITES

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public comment on
resolutions, decisions, and agenda items affecting the conservation and
management of internationally protected endangered species being
considered for submission to the 16th meeting of the Conference of the
Parties (CoP16) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Resolutions, decisions and agenda items that the Service is considering
for submittal include a proposal that would make it easier for musicians
to cross international borders when traveling with their personal
instruments containing wood and other materials from CITES-listed species;
a proposal to issue retrospective permits for Appendix I species under
certain limited circumstances; and a proposal to clarify permit
requirements related to leopard trophies.

CITES is an international agreement drafted in 1973 and since then
ratified by 175 countries (referred to as “Parties”) to protect certain
wild animals and plants against over-exploitation as a result of
international trade. Approximately 34,000 species benefit from CITES
protection.

Every two to three years, a meeting of the CoP – the world’s largest and
most influential meeting on international wildlife trade – is held to
review, discuss and negotiate changes in the implementation of CITES,
including changes in protections for certain species. CoP16 is tentatively
scheduled to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, March 3-15, 2013.

As a Party to CITES, the United States may submit documents on ways to
improve the effectiveness of the treaty for consideration at a CoP. In our
Federal Register notice of November 7, 2011, the Service requested
information and recommendations from the public to aid the United States
in developing resolutions, decisions, and agenda items to submit for
consideration.

The proposed resolutions, decisions, and agenda items in today’s Federal
Register notice cover a broad spectrum of procedural, enforcement, and
administrative matters related to the implementation of CITES. Each
recommendation is classified as either “likely,” “undecided,” or “not
likely,” based on the United States’ tentative position on each issue.
This notice also provides information on how non-governmental
organizations based in the United States can attend CoP16 as observers.

Written comments and information concerning this notice can be submitted
by one of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS–R9–IA–2011–
0087.
U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn:
FWS–R9–IA–2011–0087; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042-PDM; Arlington,
VA 22203.

Comments must be received within 60 days, on or before August 20, 2012.
The Service will post all comments on http://www.regulations.gov. This
generally means the agency will post any personal information provided
through the process. The Service is not able to accept email or faxes.

Information for CoP16 Observers
Representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) technically
qualified in the protection, conservation, or management of wild plants
and animals may request approval to attend CoP16 as non-voting observers.
International NGOs may request approval directly from the CITES
Secretariat. Observers representing United States NGOs must follow a
two-step process. First, approval must be obtained from the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Division of Management Authority. Once approval is
granted, a United States NGO must register with the CITES Secretariat at
least six weeks prior to the opening of CoP16 to participate as an
observer.

A request to participate as an observer should include an explanation of
technical qualifications of both the organization and the individual
representative(s) in the protection, conservation, or management of wild
plants and animals. The request should also include copies of the
organization’s charter and/or bylaws, and a list of representatives it
intends to send to CoP16. These requests should be sent to the Division of
Management Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax
Drive, Room 212, Arlington, VA 22203, or via e-mail at:
managementauthority@fws.gov, or via fax at: 703-358-2298. For complete
guidance on how to apply as an observer to CoP16, please refer to the
Federal Register notice.

To learn more about the United States preparations for CITES CoP16, visit:
http://www.fws.gov/international/CITES/CoP16.html.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others
to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their
habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a
leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for
our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources,
dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more
information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit
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-FWS-