Fiji

[JT]

On March 15th, CITES issued a press release to tout their successes in imposing trade suspensions and other incentives in United Arab Emirates, the Russian Federation, Fiji, Vietnam and other governments.

I thought I would paste their comments regarding Fiji here:

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Fiji, a major exporter of coral, missed the deadline and had its trade suspended. The Committee agreed to lift the suspension, however, in response to Fiji's pledge to table national CITES legislation at its next parliamentary session in June 2002 and to have this legislation enacted before end-2002. Fiji will also set trade quotas for coral species at 50% of last year's exports.

Fiji will also introduce a plan of action to address the unsustainable levels of coral harvesting and export. It will not authorize exports until the 2002 quota is formally put into effect, it will copy all export permits to the Secretariat, it will ensure that all export permits are issued only by the authorized national CITES Management Authority. If Fiji fails to enact effective legislation by 31 December 2002, the Secretariat will notify all Parties that all CITES trade is once again suspended.
<hr></blockquote>

The full article can be seen here: http://www.cites.org/eng/news/press_release.shtml

- JT

 

[SPC]

Thanks for the information JT, I can't get the link to work however.
Steve

 

[Kalkbreath]

What can CITIES do to actually stop shipments? If Cities is voluntary?
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Volvo Vehicles

 

[Anonymous]

If I'm not mistaken lack of CITES permits means US Customs does not allow the animals into the country (and *I think* in the ultimate irony the animals then die while they are in trade limbo).

 

[Kalkbreath]

Many islands are not a part of Cities? I recieve corals from places that the Fish and wild life Dept dont require Cities Certificates?
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Mercedes Benz 300D

 

[MaryHM]

CITES is voluntary. The United States is a party to CITES, meaning that we have agreed to follow their mandates. Not all exporting countries belong to CITES (Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands are examples).

 

[Kalkbreath]

I still have not learned why they are picking on Fiji?
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Woodsball strategy

 

[MaryHM]

They aren't "picking" on Fiji. Fiji signed on to CITES without being prepared to deal with it. When they signed on, they knew legislation had to be written. Unfortunately the government kinda fell apart before they could finish it.