It was agreed to place 18 additional shark and ray species on Appendix II of CITES. This means that international trade in these species will be regulated, and countries will be incentivized to manage the fisheries for these species to ensure they are sustainable.

A statement was released today by the Wildlife Conservation Society from CITES CoP18 concerning elephants and ivory.  Said Dr. Susan Lieberman, VP of International Policy for the Wildlife Conservation Society: “The decisions today by the Parties at CITES CoP18 mean it’s status quo for elephants: No international commercial ivory trade is permitted and that is what needs to happen. CITES Parties agreed not to open any ivory trade, and to further call on governments to close their domestic ivory markets."

WASHINGTON (Nov. 26, 2017) – One year after the passage and signing into law of the Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt (END) Wildlife Trafficking Act, the U.S. State Department released its mandated report on the current state of wildlife trafficking around the world and lists focus countries and countries of concern.

BRUSSELS, Belgium (18 May, 2017) – WCS released a statement in response to the European Commission’s announcement of new measures related to ivory and wildlife trafficking.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – (September 28, 2016) – WCS applauds the vote today to list all 8 species of pangolins in CITES Appendix I—the highest level of protection afforded by the treaty and a recognition that unfortunately, the species is indeed now threatened with extinction.