Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
by J. Charles Delbeek M.Sc.

During the summer I received a copy of the control list, listing the
some 2,000 species of plants and animals whose trade is controlled by
the above agreement. The following is taken from that literature:

"The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Flora and Fauna (CITES) is an international agreement to regulate
trade in specific species of wild animals and plants as well as their
respective parts and derivatives. The need for international
cooperation to eliminate trade in illegally obtained animals and
plants existed for many years and is of great concern to developing
nations in Africa, South America and the Far East. The nations
hardest hit are those that are very undeveloped with little revenue
and located in tropical areas that abound with wild animals and
plants. The only income of any importance to many of these nations
is from controlled exploitation of the natural resources in such ways
as tourism and legalized hunting. If the resource is illegally
hunted or destroyed, a major income source is lost and the country is
likely to become even more destitute. Poaching and the resulting
movement of illegally obtained specimens is worldwide and involves a
very considerable amount of money. This type of trade often involves
a very considerable amount of money. This type of trade often
involves extreme cruelty and very considerable wastage. This illegal
trade of wild animals has, in some areas, practically exterminated
the species. Hardest hit have been the cats such as the leopard in
Africa, jaguar, ocelot, margay and others in South America and the
tiger in Asia. Canada is not blameless as we have imported thousands
of cat skins, and, in fact, had the reputation of being a country of
convenience. Falcons, which are fairly easily obtainable from illegal
Canadian sources, have reportedly been selling for up to $30,000 a
pair in the Arab world.

As a response to this growing problem in illegal trade, Canada and
other countries signed the CITES agreement on 10 April 1975, with
enforcement commencing 3 July 1975. The Convention regulates
international trade in over 2,000 species of wild animals and plants
that are listed in three Appendices.

Appendix I species are rare or endangered and trade will not be
permitted for primarily commercial purposes. Before trade is
commenced, the importer must be in possession of a Convention export
permit issued by the government of the exporting nation and an import
permit issued by the Canadian Wildlife Service.

Appendix II species are not presently rare or endangered but could
become so if trade is not regulated. The species being traded must
be covered by appropriate Convention export permits issued by the
government of the exporting nations before entry to Canada will be
permitted.

Appendix III species are not endangered but are managed within the
listing nation. Permit requirements for Appendix III are as for
Appendix II species, and are applicable between Canada and the
listing nation.

A species includes the living animal or plant as well as their
readily recognizable parts and derivatives.

Species being traded must be listed on permits by their scientific
names. In accordance with the Customs Act, the importer must
correctly identify goods being imported or exported, and this is best
done by using scientific names".

Now as we all know, corals and invertebrates are not the easiest
animals to identify to species, so it could be quite easy to import
and export these animals under assumed "names". Luckily none of the
invertebrates that we keep in our aquariums are included in Appendix
I. However, a new listing is expected sometime this year and I will
keep you informed if anything changes. As of right now, the
following invertebrates are included in Appendix II.

Since these corals are difficult to identify, you might want to
consult some reference books before you purchase any corals. When
purchasing these specimens please keep in mind that they are rare, so
be sure you can properly care for these animals. It might not hurt
to inquire of the retailer if he is aware of the status of these
animals and if they have the necessary permits to directly import
them. Often retailers buy from wholesalers, they would then be the
ones responsible for the necessary permits.

TABLE 1 - Appendix II Invertebrates


Family          Scientific Name         Common Name


Veneroida       Tridacna spp.      Tridacna clams

Antipatharia    Antipatharia spp.     Black Coral

Pocilloporidae  Seriatopora spp.
                Pocillopora spp.
                Stylopora spp.

Acroporidae     Acropora spp.         Most common reef
                                        building corals

Agaricidae      Pavona spp.

Fungiidae       Fungia spp.           Mushroom Coral
                Halmitra spp.
                Polyphyllia spp.

Faviidae        Favia spp.
                Platygyra spp.

Merulinidae     Merulina spp.

Mussidae        Lobophyllia spp.

Pectiniidae     Pectinia spp.

Caryophylliidae Euphyllia spp.        Ridge Coral,
                                        Hammer Coral

Milleporidae    Millepora spp.        Fire Corals

Helioporidae    Heliopora spp.

Tubiporidae     Tubipora spp.         Red Organ Pipe
                                        Coral

Identification References
Vernon, J.E.N. 1986. Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific.
Angus and Robertson Publ.

Wood, E.M. 1984. Corals of the World. T.F.H. Publ.

As of now (1996) ALL stony corals are protected under CITIES, not just the genera listed above.