Summary of decisions on working documents: Conference of the Parties 2016

16.1 - Election of Chair and Vice-Chair of the meeting and of Chairs of Committees I and II and the Credentials Committee

The Chairman of the Meeting and Alternate Chairman of the Meeting (both from Thailand), as well as two Vice-Chairmen, were elected. The Conference of the Parties (CoP) also elected Ms. Carolina Caceres (Canada) to chair Committee I and Roddy Gabel (United States) to chair Committee II.

16.2 - Adoption of the agenda

16.3 - Adoption of the working programme

16.4 - Rules of Procedure

After extensive discussions, the CoP decided, by vote, that a 2/3 majority would be required to change the Rules of Procedure. Canada voted for a simple majority requirement to change the Rules of Procedure. This decision was needed because proposals 4.2 and 4.3 asked for amendments to the Rules of Procedure and there was a lack of clarity on the proportion of votes needed for such a change.

16.4.1 - Rules of Procedure: Report of the Secretariat

The Rules of Procedure for the Conference of the Parties set out the rules for conducting the meeting. These Rules are amended from time to time to deal with specific issues that need to be clarified, or to update the Rules to better reflect current policy or procedures agreed to by a CoP. The CoP decided to accept the proposed minor changes for rules 20 and 21. They accepted the proposed change for Rule 25 (with a minor amendment), to allow Parties to verify that their votes had been registered by an electronic voting system. The Secretariat withdrew their proposed changes for Rule 23 to allow for further discussion in a smaller forum. The proposed change to Rule 20 on deadlines for submission of documents was also withdrawn as it was clear that Parties were not in favour.

16.4.2 - Proposal to improve transparency of voting during meetings of the Conference of the Parties (Denmark)

The CoP voted on three proposals to amend the Rules of Procedure in regards to the threshold of support required by the CoP for voting to occur by secret ballot. All of these votes were by secret ballot. Canada voted to accept each of the higher thresholds, in a series of three votes. The CoP did not accept any of the three proposals and thus the status quo was maintained. The status quo requires the support of 10 Parties for a vote to occur by secret ballot.

16.4.3 - Proposed amendment to Rule 25 on Methods of voting - Use of secret ballots (Mexico)

Refer to 16.4.2 for information.

16.5 - Credentials Committee

16.5.1 - Establishment of the Credentials Committee

16.5.2 - Report of the Credentials Committee

The Chair of the Credentials Committee reported to Plenary that credentials from 149 Parties had been accepted by the Committee. The CoP also adopted a decision for the development of guidance to Parties on proper submission of credentials.

16.6 - Admission of observers

16.7 - Report of UNEP

16.8 - Financing and budgeting of the Secretariat and of meetings of the Conference of the Parties

16.8.1 - Implementation of the costed programme of work for 2010-2011

16.8.2 - Implementation of the costed programme of work for 2012

16.8.3 - Budgetary proposals for 2014 to 2016

Parties were asked to consider the budget for the 2014-2016 period. The CoP adopted recommendations on budget for 2014-2016 including a budgetary increase of 4.15%; decisions related to the administration of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Trust Fund; financing and the costed programme of work for the Secretariat for the triennium 2014-2016; access to Global Environmental Facility (GEF) funding; and access to other sources of funding.

16.8.4 - Access to Global Environment Facility funding

The Conference of the Parties deferred to its 17th meeting decision-making relating to a financial mechanism for CITES, which could include the GEF. In the interim, they adopted a Decision to explore the possibilities that may be available.

16.8.5 - Access to other sources of funding

The CoP adopted a suite of Decisions that invite Parties to provide technical or financial assistance for implementation of CITES Resolutions and Decisions and human resource assistance to the CITES Secretariat.  The Secretariat is also requested to organize a meeting to discuss information on funding programmes on wildlife, and to discuss resource allocation to developing countries for implementation of the Convention.

16.9 - Arrangements for meetings (Central African Republic and Rwanda)

The proposal regarding a new Resolution that would provide direction for organization of special meetings was withdrawn. The Secretariat will instead prepare a document providing some suggestions for organizing meetings that can be used by everyone.

16.10 - Committee reports and recommendations

16.10.1 - Standing Committee

16.10.1.1 - SC: Report of the Chair

16.10.1.2 - SC: Election of new regional and alternate regional members

Members of the Standing Committee are elected on a regional basis. Parties confirmed the new representatives as proposed. The North American region will be represented on the Standing Committee by the United States, with Mexico serving as the alternate representative.

16.10.2 - Animals Committee

16.10.2.1 - AC: Report of the Chair

16.10.2.2 - AC: Election of new regional and alternate regional members

Members of the Animals Committee are elected as individuals on a regional representation basis.  Parties confirmed the new representatives as proposed. Ms. Carolina Caceres (Canada) continues as the North America regional representative. Ms. Rosemarie Gnam of the United States remains the alternate.

16.10.3 - Plants Committee

16.10.3.1 - PC: Report of the Chair

16.10.3.2 - PC: Election of new regional and alternate regional members

Members of the Plants Committee are elected as individuals on a regional representative basis.  Parties confirmed the new representatives as proposed. Mr. Hesiquio Benitez Días of Mexico remains the North America regional representative, and Dr. Adrianne Sinclair of Canada remains the alternate.

16.11 - Potential conflict of interest in the Animals and Plants Committees (Denmark)

The CoP agreed to amendments to Resolution 11.1, to provide conflict of interest guidance for the Animals and Plants Committees, and also agreed on Decisions for the Standing Committee to refine the guidance as appropriate and to provide a mechanism for dealing with conflicts of interest that will be presented to CoP17.

16.12 - CITES Strategic Vision

The CoP adopted an update to the CITES Strategic Vision to have it reflect and complement recent decisions in other international biological conventions, including contributing to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity, to the extent that they are relevant to CITES.

16.13 - Cooperation with organizations and multilateral environmental agreements

Following discussion of agenda items 13 and 14, the CoP adopted Decisions to review existing cooperation, collaboration and synergies between CITES and the other biodiversity-related conventions, with the objective of reporting the findings and recommendations to CoP 17.

16.14 - Draft resolution and decision on the cooperation of CITES with other biodiversity-related conventions (Switzerland)

See summary under item 13.

16.15 - International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime

The CoP noted the report, which is to serve as an entry-point for national governments, international actors, practitioners and scholars to better understand the complexity of the issues of combatting wildlife crime and to serve as a framework around which wildlife crime prevention strategies can be developed.

16.16 - Resolution on Cooperation with the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation of the CBD (Decision 15.19)

The CoP adopted a Resolution on cooperation with the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Resolution promotes exchange of information and collaboration between the GSPC of the Convention on Biological Diversity and CITES, and calls for representation of the Plants Committee at GSPC meetings.

16.17 - Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

The CoP adopted a series of decisions to guide CITES' interaction with IPBES over the next three years.

16.18 - Cooperation between Parties and promotion of multilateral measures

The CoP extended existing Decisions asking for a consultant's review of the implementation of CITES resolutions and decisions, and the scope for multilateral measures that would reduce the need for recourse to stricter domestic measures and reservations.  A new addition to the Decisions outlines detailed terms of reference for the consultancy, which include analysis of Parties' implementation measures that are stricter than required under the Convention.

16.19 - CITES and livelihoods

The CoP adopted a new Resolution that provides principles for evaluating impacts of CITES species listing decisions on livelihoods of rural communities. The CoP also adopted a suite of Decisions to promote implementation of the Resolution and to review the draft toolkit and guidelines for assessing impacts on livelihoods, which were developed by the Standing Committee.

16.20 - National wildlife trade policy reviews

The CoP adopted a suite of decisions for Parties to undertake wildlife trade policy reviews on a voluntary basis and to provide the Secretariat with relevant details of their reviews and lessons learned, so that these may be shared with other Parties.

16.21 - Capacity building

Capacity building for the making of NDFs, enforcement activities, and compliance are high-priority core activities for CITES. The CoP adopted Decisions to undertake a review of existing directives related to capacity building to see if they can be streamlined and consolidated.

16.22 - Proposal concerning a needs assessment for strengthening the implementation of CITES in developing countries (Ghana, Senegal and Sierra Leone)

The CoP adopted a set of Decisions to gather and regularly update information on technological, logistical and equipment needs of all Parties in order to strengthen the implementation of CITES.

16.23 - Capacity-building programme for science-based establishment and implementation of voluntary national export quotas for Appendix-II species - Report of the Animals and Plants Committees

In the past, the Animals Committee and the Plants Committee have advised the Secretariat on their capacity-building activities. At CoP16 it was agreed to have the Animals and Plants Committees to continue in this advisory capacity, through a revision to the Resolution that guides the establishment of the committees (Resolution 11.1).

16.24 - World Wildlife Day (Thailand)

The CoP agreed to a Resolution declaring March 3  "World Wildlife Day" in commemoration of the adoption of CITES, which occurred on March 3, 1973, and to invite the United Nations General Assembly to consider declaring March 3 as World Wildlife Day.

16.25 - Review of Resolutions

The CoP accepted revisions to certain Resolutions as part of their ongoing review. Most are minor editorial changes or changes that will not impact Canada's implementation. Of special note are revisions to Resolution 9.5 to clarify and update the guidance to Parties on on trade with non-CITES Parties; revisions to Resolution 9.6 that exclude urine, feces and naturally-excreted whale ambergris from the provisions of the Convention; and amendments to Resolution 12.3 to provide guidance how to describe a product on a CITES permit when the product contains more than one species. The proposed definition for "State of usual residence" was withdrawn.

16.26 - Draft review of Resolution Conf. 10.10 (Rev. CoP15) on Trade in elephant specimens

The CoP adopted changes to update Resolution 10.10. This Resolution addresses provisions for trade in elephant specimens. Because this Resolution is a compilation of several old Resolutions, some dating back decades, work was needed to update the Resolution, improve clarity and eliminate duplications, and also incorporate details relating to the African Elephant Action Plan.

16.27 - Climate Change

The CoP noted the report of the Animals Committee and the Plants Committee, which concluded that the current provisions of the Convention and Resolutions are sufficiently comprehensive and flexible to take into account the implications of climate change for science-based decision-making.

16.28 - National laws for implementation of the Convention

The CoP adopted Decisions to enable an assessment of Parties' progress in adopting adequate national laws for the implementation of the Convention and to recommend suspension of trade if necessary by the 66^th meeting of the Standing Committee in 2015.

16.29 - Enforcement matters

The CoP took note of the report on enforcement activities of the Secretariat, and other international, regional and national enforcement activities of interest to CITES. The CoP adopted amendments to Resolution 11.3 on enforcement matters to update it and harmonize with other Resolutions, and adopted Decisions including one mandating the development of a process to assess implementation and enforcement of the Convention as it relates to the trade in species listed in Appendix I.

16.30 - National reports

The CoP adopted the proposed revisions to both annual and biennial reporting formats with the exception of the proposed deadline for annual reports.  The deadline remains October 31^st.

16.31 - Disposal of illegally-traded and confiscated specimens of Appendix-I, -II and -III species (Indonesia)

Rather than accepting the original proposal, the CoP adopted a Decision mandating a review of several Resolutions that contain provisions relating to disposal of confiscated specimens to see if any of the provisions could be consolidated or simplified.

16.32 - Introduction from the sea

The CoP voted to adopt amendments to two Resolutions and to adopt a set of related draft Decisions to ensure consistency in the way the provisions of the Convention are applied to commercially harvested marine species that are harvested in the 'marine environment not under the jurisdiction of any States' (the high seas). Canada supported the adoption of the Resolutions and the Decisions.

16.33 - Non-detriment findings

The CoP adopted a new Resolution to provide non-prescriptive guidance to Parties on evaluating whether trade is non-detrimental to the survival of a species. This is a core function of the Convention and this Resolution is the first CoP-approved guidance that exists in this regard. Canada contributed significantly to this work.

16.34 - Electronic permitting

The CoP agreed to extend the mandate of the Standing Committee's working group on Information Technologies and Electronic Systems, which will provide continuing support for Parties to develop electronic permitting systems.

16.35 - Improving the efficiency of international cooperation on permit and certificate verification (China)

The CoP adopted revisions to Resolution Conf. 12.3 (Rev. CoP15) to help improve the effectiveness of CITES recommendations for verification of the authenticity of CITES permits and certificates, including defining response times for exporting countries when dealing with permit queries from importing countries.

16.36 - Decision-making mechanism for a process of trade in ivory

The CoP adopted a Decision to establish a decision-making mechanism for sale in ivory trade that will be presented to CoP17. The decision-making mechanism is meant to clarify the basis on which the CoP would make a decision on whether to authorize commercial international trade in ivory, and also is meant to detail the criteria, the organization and the management of any such future trade.

16.37 - Proposal to amend Decision 14.77 on a Decision-making mechanism for a future trade in elephant ivory (Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo)

See 16.36.

16.38 - Purpose codes on CITES permits and certificates

The CoP rejected the recommendations of the Standing Committee to revise certain purpose codes, provide definitions for purpose codes, and clarify the use of purpose codes by importing and exporting countries, deciding instead that more discussion was needed. The work will be continued by the Standing Committee and their results will be presented to CoP17.

16.39 - Transport of live specimens

The CoP adopted updates to the existing CITES guidance for transport of live CITES specimens, which promotes use of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations. The CoP also adopted a complementary document to detail CITES non-air transport guidelines for live wild animals and plants.

16.40 - Cross-border movements of musical instruments (United States)

The CoP adopted a new Resolution and amendments to Resolution 12.3, Permits and Certificates, to facilitate movement of musical instruments made of CITES listed species.

16.41 - Use of taxonomic serial numbers

The CoP adopted Decisions directing Parties to voluntarily report to the Secretariat the usefulness of TSNs and similar data markers in their domestic wildlife data systems. This information will be presented to CoP17 with any recommendations of the Standing Committee. The decisions are the outcome of a process initiated by Canada at CoP15 and Canada supported the Decisions.

16.42 - Physical inspection of timber shipments

The CoP adopted Decisions to obtain information from Parties on tools and procedures for the identification and measurement of CITES-listed tree species as well as the physical inspection of shipments, and to make this information available to Parties through the CITES website and in capacity-building activities related to timber trade.

16.43 - Standard nomenclature

16.43.1 - Report of the Animals and Plants Committees

Parties agreed to the revised official CITES list of standard nomenclature for species, which represents a conservative approach to adopting name changes to species, including names for amphibian and reptile species, shark species, and other fish species. The CoP also agreed to extend a decision calling on the Animals Committee to identify suitable coral taxonomic references for use by CITES. The CoP accepted the conclusions of the Animals Committee and the Plants Committee that there were no species listed in the Appendices for which the listing could be simplified by listing the taxa at a higher taxonomic level (e.g., genus level or higher), without altering the scope of the listing.

16.43.2 - Standard nomenclature for Hippocampus species (Switzerland)

The CoP agreed to maintain the current standard nomenclature reference forHippocampus species (seahorses) and to add five new species to this list.

16.44 - Identification Manual

16.44.1 - Identification manual: Report of the Secretariat

The CoP adopted revisions to Resolution Conf. 11.19, on the Identification Manual, to change the reporting requirements of the Secretariat from each meeting of the Animals Committee, Plants Committee and Standing Committee to "whenever appropriate."

16.44.2 - Identification manual: Report of the Plants Committee

The CoP agreed to form an intersessional working group of both the Animals and Plants Committees to evaluate the current availability and accessibility of identification and guidance material and to report of progress at CoP17.

16.45 - E-commerce of specimens of CITES-listed species

It has been recognized that internet trade in specimens of CITES-listed species is growing and can be a conduit for illegal trade. Internet trade of species in the CITES context is called "e-commerce." The CoP agreed that Parties should continue to submit information to the Secretariat on ecommerce and that the Standing Committee should liaise with the World Customs Organization with regard to including CITES species in their harmonized customs coding descriptions.

16.46 - Personal and household effects

The CoP agreed to revisions to Resolution 13.7 on trade in Personal and Household Effects, including agreement that rhino horn and elephant ivory contained in hunting trophies should not be exempted under the Personal and Household Effects exemption. They also agreed to accept a new annex to the Resolution entitled 'Guidelines for Interpretation of Personal and Household Effects," which was authored by Canada in an intersessional Standing Committee working group.  The guidelines will assist Parties with the uniform interpretation and implementation of the personal and household effects exemption.

16.47 - Proposed revision of Resolution Conf. 13.7 (Rev. CoP14) on Control of trade in personal and household effects (Indonesia and Kuwait)

In order to reconcile the new annotation to the listing of Aquilaria and Gyrinops species (see the summary for species proposal 16.70), Kuwait suggested revisions to the proposed personal effects exemption for agarwood products as follows: Specimens of agarwood - up to 1 kg woodchips, 24 ml oil, and 2 sets of beads, (or prayer beads, or 2 necklaces, or bracelets) per person.  The amended personal and household effects exemption for agarwood was accepted by consensus.

16.48 - Implementation of the Convention relating to captive-bred and ranched specimens

In response to growing concerns regarding the origin of many specimens in trade that are reportedly captive-bred or ranched, the CoP adopted Decisions to identify issues and make recommendations regarding trade in such specimens, which could include recommendations for inspection of captive breeding and ranching facilities, or guidance on review of permit applications for captive bred or ranched specimens. The CoP also agreed to extend the Decisions regarding development and review of a guide on the use of source codes.

16.49 - Great Apes

The CoP adopted updates to Resolution 13.4 on great apes, and adopted a Decision directing the Standing Committee to review Res.13.4 to with a view to establishing an illegal trade reporting mechanism for great apes.

16.50 - Asian big cats

The CoP adopted a suite of Decisions for the Secretariat, which include a review of Resolution 12.5 (Conservation of and trade in tigers and other Appendix-I Asian big cat species) in consultation with range states and consumer states, and a Decision for the Standing Committee to review the conservation of and trade in Appendix-I Asian big cat species and determine any actions deemed necessary to combat illegal trade in Asian big cats.

16.51 - Illegal trade in cheetahs (Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda)

The CoP adopted Decisions for the Secretariat to commission a study by an independent consultant to investigate levels of legal and illegal trade in cheetahs and the impact of this trade on the species in the wild. The Animals Committee and Standing Committee will review this information and make recommendations to the 17th meeting of the CoP.

16.52 - Leopard quotas (Botswana, South Africa and United States)

The CoP adopted amendments to Resolution 10.14, on quotas for leopard hunting trophies and skins for personal use, to clarify the tag requirements for skins as well as their documentation on CITES permits. The CoP adopted Decisions directing Parties to report to the Standing Committee on the implementation this system and for the Secretariat to make its recommendations to the Standing Committee, which could include extending the system for use with other CITES-listed species.

16.53 - Elephants

16.53.1 - Monitoring of the illegal hunting of elephants

The MIKE report provides an analysis of trends in levels of illegal killing of elephants. This report, similar to past reports, highlights the roles of poverty, poor law enforcement, weak governance, and the demand for ivory as being positively correlated with high levels of illegal killing of elephants, and notes an increasing trend of illegal killing, with 2011 being the highest on record. The CoP noted the report. See other elephant agenda items for action-oriented decisions that take into account information from the MIKE report.

16.53.2 - Monitoring of illegal trade in ivory and other elephant specimens

16.53.2.1 - Monitoring illegal trade: Report of the Secretariat

In response to documents 53.2.1 and 53.2.2 providing reporting on illegal trade in ivory and hunting of elephants, the CoP identified measures aimed at countries defined as source, destination, or transit countries for illegal trade in ivory. Reporting on actions is to occur at the 65^th and 66^th meetings of the Standing Committee. Based on the reports, the Standing Committee will then decide on further measures, which could include trade sanctions.

16.53.2.2 - Monitoring illegal trade: Report of TRAFFIC

See the summary for 16.53.2.1.

16.53.3 - Proposed new resolution concerning the African Elephant Action Plan and African Elephant Fund (Nigeria and Rwanda)

The African Elephant Action plan addresses aspects of the conservation and management of elephants, with three of the 79 elements of the Action Plan relating directly to CITES. The CoP adopted a new Resolution to acknowledge the importance of the African Elephant Action Plan. The new Resolution urges donors to contribute to the African Elephant Fund, requests the CITES Secretariat and UNEP to promote fundraising, and urges UNEP to provide secretarial and fundraising support.

16.54 - Rhinoceroses

16.54.1 - Rhinoceroses: Report of the Working Group

Decisions were made based on joint discussions of Document 54.1 and Document 54.2. See the item 54.2 for details of Decisions that were made.

16.54.2 - Rhinoceroses: Report of the Secretariat

Although some progress in rhinoceros conservation was made in the past and some populations of the species started to show recovery by the 1990s, recent escalation of illegal trade and poaching has threatened to undermine these efforts. In response to the reports from the CITES Secretariat and the rhinoceros working group, the Conference of the Parties adopted eight comprehensive Decisions, including direction to all CITES Parties and specifically to those CITES Parties implicated in illegal trade of rhinoceros horn.  In addition, direction was given to Viet Nam, Mozambique, and South Africa to strengthen measures to combat illegal trade.  The CITES Secretariat was also directed to convene a CITES Rhinoceros Enforcement Task Force and to continue to examine and report on progress made in addressing illegal killing of rhinoceros. The Standing Committee will examine the results of these actions, and the report of the CITES rhinoceros working group, at its next two meetings and determine further necessary actions, including any necessary compliance measures pursuant to Resolution 14.3 on CITES compliance procedures.

16.55 - Tibetan Antelope

The Secretariat reported on enforcement measures taken by Parties to eliminate illegal trade in Tibetan antelope products as directed by Resolution 11.8 (Rev. CoP 13) on the trade and conservation of Tibetan antelope. As illegal trade in this species seemed to no longer be an issue, the Secretariat had recommended removing the mandatory reporting requirement in the resolution. However, Parties reported recent significant seizures and the recommendation was withdrawn. The CoP adopted several new decisions to address these new enforcement issues.

16.56 - Saiga antelope

The Secretariat reported on implementation of the CoP14 decisions as extended by CoP15. The CoP adopted new Decisions to continue addressing this conservation issue.

16.57 - Snake trade and conservation management

The Secretariat reported on activities related to work on the conservation and management of snakes as directed by CoP15. The CoP adopted a series of Decisions directed to the Animals Committee and Standing Committee to guide the implementation of CITES for snakes species.

16.58 - Tortoises and freshwater turtles

16.58.1 - Tortoises and freshwater turtles: Report of the working group of the Standing Committee

See 16.58.2.

16.58.2 - Tortoises and freshwater turtles: Report of the Animals Committee

The Animals Committee and Standing Committee reported on their recommendations resulting from the report of a specialist workshop (A study of progress on conservation of and trade in CITES-listed tortoises and freshwater turtles in Asia). The recommendations of these two reports were combined and adopted as a series of Decisions that will guide further work on the conservation and trade of tortoises and freshwater turtles within the CITES context.

16.59 - Hawksbill turtle

The Secretariat reported on their collaboration Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC), as directed by the CoP, and the CoP adopted a new decision to complete this work.

16.60 - Sturgeons and paddlefish

16.60.1 - Sturgeons and paddlefish: Report of the Animals Committee

Documents 60.1 and 60.2 were discussed together and the results are summarized under the item 60.2.

16.60.2 - Sturgeons and paddlefish: Report of the Secretariat

The CoP considered updates to Resolution 12.7 on sturgeons and paddlefish to reflect current practice, reduce administrative reporting burdens, and to reflect current fisheries and trade realities. The CoP voted on acceptance of two proposed revisions and ultimately voted to accept a revised Resolution, which calls for, among other things, collaboration of range states in the development and implementation of strategies, including action plans, for the conservation and management of shared Acipenseriformes stocks and for ensuring sustainable fishing. Canada voted to support the revised Resolution as amended.

16.61 - Sharks and Stingrays

The Animals Committee reported on recent work on sharks and stingrays as directed by CoP15. The CoP adopted revisions to Resolution 12.6 (Rev. CoP15), to provide clarifications and to encourage range states of stingrays to improve efforts to gather information on the scale and impact of threats facing stingrays and consider listing national populations on CITES Appendix III. The CoP also adopted Decisions for Parties to submit information on domestic laws and regulations concerning sharks; and for collaboration with FAO to develop, and regularly update, summary information current Regional Fisheries Management Organization measures for sharks.

16.62 - Humphead wrasse

The Standing Committee working group on humphead wrasse reported on recent activities as directed by CoP15. The CoP agreed to revise and extend the validity of an existing Decision regarding implementation of the Appendix II listing of the species.

16.63 - Toothfish: report of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)

The CoP noted the report of the Secretariat of the CCAMLR on recent activities pursuant to the CITES Resolution Conf. 12.4 on cooperation between CITES and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources regarding trade in toothfish.

16.64 - Sea cucumbers

The CoP noted the report of the Animals Committee on work related to the management and conservation of sea cucumbers. The Animals Committee recommended that range countries promote conservation and management of sea cucumbers that occur in their own jurisdiction, taking advantage of information found in various specified publications.

16.65 - Regional cooperation on the management of and trade in the queen conch (Strombus gigas) (Colombia)

The CoP adopted decisions to enhance the management and conservation of queen conch.

16.66 - Madagascar

The Plants Committee presented an overview of its activities with Madagascar, which supported preparation and submission to CoP16 of seven listing proposals for species of succulent plants endemic to Madagascar and two listing of Madagascar populations for species in high-value timber genera (ebony and rosewood). As Madagascar has submitted species proposals to CoP16 as required by Decision 15.97, the Plants Committee considers the tasks addressed to the Committee under the Decision accomplished.  The CoP noted the report.

16.67 - Agarwood-producing taxa

16.67.1 - Agarwood-producing taxa: Report of the Plants Committee

The CoP adopted Decisions to review the applicability of current definitions of artificial propagation, and to organize a workshop on management of wild and plantation-sourced agarwood.

16.67.2 - Draft resolution on Implementation of the Convention for agarwood-producing taxa (China, Indonesia, Kuwait and Thailand)

A new resolution to guide the implementation CITES for agarwood-producing taxa was accepted.  As this resolution defines "artificially propagated" differently as the agreed definition for artificially-propagated plants, some Parties had concerns that there might be long term conservation impacts based on the new definition. To alleviate these concerns, a decision to monitor the implementation of this new resolution to assess potential conservation impacts was also adopted.

16.68 - Bigleaf mahogany

The Plants Committee Working Group on the Bigleaf Mahogany and other Neotropical Timber Species has been active since 2002 to address CITES implementation issues applicable to tree species. This working group reported that the current work was completed and decisions were adopted to direct their work to CoP17.

16.69 - Cedrela odorata, Dalbergia retusa, Dalbergia granadillo and Dalbergia stevensonii

The CoP noted the report of the Plants Committee on a review of Cedrela odorata, Dalbergia retusa, Dalbergia granadilloand Dalbergia stevensonii to assess whether these species met the criteria for inclusion in Appendix II. The Plants Committee concluded that theses species did meet the criteria for Appendix II. Note that listing proposals for a number of national populations of Dalbergia were submitted to CoP16 and accepted.

16.70 - Report of the Central Africa Bushmeat Working Group

Bushmeat is meat consumed by local communities for subsistence. For some areas of the world, particularly Africa, consumption of threatened species is a major concern. Decisions that encouraged the CITES Bushmeat working group to liaison with the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations were retained and a decision to review and update the Resolution on Bushmeat was adopted.

16.71 - Criteria for the inclusion of species in Appendices I and II

The CoP considered the report of the Animals Committee on outcomes of discussions to resolve a difference in interpretation of the listing criteria relevant to commercially-exploited aquatic species that are proposed for inclusion on Appendix II. The Animals Committee concluded that it was not possible to come to a consensus on how to apply the CITES listing criteria in these cases. They recommended that Parties explain how they apply Annex 2a criterion B when preparing proposals for amending the Appendices. The CoP noted the report.

16.72 - Criteria related to ranched populations

Ranching in the CITES context is the process of collecting eggs of species that would have a low chance of  survival in the wild, and raising them in captivity for trade. It has been demonstrated that ranching operations under CITES can be beneficial for the conservation of species. In 1981, CITES established a process that allowed the CoP to transfer national populations to Appendix II for the purpose of allowing trade in ranched specimens, even if the wild populations of the species still met the biological criteria for Appendix I. In 1994, new listing criteria were adopted for all species, which inadvertently disallowed transfers of species to Appendix II for purposes of ranching when the population still met the Appendix I biological criteria (Resolution Conf.9.24). At CoP16, this language was corrected.

16.73 - Proposed revision of Resolution Conf. 10.9 on Consideration of proposals for the transfer of African elephant populations from Appendix I to Appendix II (Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia and Sierra Leone)

The CoP rejected the proposed amendments to the Resolution that establishes the process for considering proposals to transfer African Elephants from Appendix I to Appendix II. Instead, the CoP directed the Standing Committee to establish a working group to review the Resolution, in consultation with all African range states, and report to CoP17.

16.74 - Periodic review of the Appendices

16.74.1 - Periodic review of the Appendices: Revision of Resolution Conf. 14.8

The Periodic Review of the Appendices is the procedure followed by the Animals and Plants Committees to ensure that species continue to be listed in the Appendices with the appropriate level of protection. When the review determines that a species is inappropriately listed, a proposal will be submitted to the next CoP to adjust the amendment. At CoP16 there were 22 proposals recommended through Periodic Review. The Resolution pertaining to the Periodic Review was amended to better define the context of the review and clarify procedures.

16.74.2 - Periodic review of the Appendices: Felidae

In 2004, the Felidae (cat) family was selected for inclusion in the CITES Periodic Review of the Appendices, which is a process to evaluate whether species are appropriately placed in the Appendices. This Felidae review process is now considered completed for all Felidae species listed in the Appendices except Panthera leo (lion), Puma concolor couguar (eastern cougar) and P. concolor coryi (Florida panther). The decision directing the Felidae review was revised to allow this work to continue until CoP17.

16.75 - Development and application of annotations

Many species listings in the CITES Appendices are annotated to specify which products are subject to CITES trade controls. The interpretation of these annotations is often problematic. To assist in interpretation and implementation of existing annotations, the CoP adopted definitions for powder, wood chip, finished product and extract. The CoP also established a Standing Committee working group with the mandate to function as an ongoing advisory group in the development of annotations and to explore appropriate and reasonable procedures for crafting plant annotations.

16.76 - Annotations - Report of the Plants Committee

The CoP discussed Document 75 and Document 76 together. See the item 75 for a summary of outcomes.

16.77 - Proposals to amend Appendices I and II

The CoP adopted Decisions to review Resolution 9.24 on Criteria for amendment of Appendices I and II as they apply to species that are listed on the Appendices but are known to be extinct or possibly extinct.