![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); Thirteenth Regular Meeting; Proposed Resolutions, Decisions, and Agenda Items Being Considered; Taxa Being Considered for Amendments to the CITES Appendices; Public Meeting; Observer Information
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: January 12, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 7)]
[Notices]
[Page 1757-1761]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12ja04-109]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); Thirteenth
Regular Meeting; Proposed Resolutions, Decisions, and Agenda Items
Being Considered; Taxa Being Considered for Amendments to the CITES
Appendices; Public Meeting; Observer Information
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The United States, as a Party to the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES), may submit proposed resolutions, decisions, and agenda items
for consideration at meetings of the Conference of the Parties to
CITES. The United States may also propose amendments to the CITES
Appendices for consideration at meetings of the Conference of the
Parties. The thirteenth regular meeting of the Conference of the
Parties to CITES (COP13) will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, October 2-
14, 2004.
With this notice, we: list proposed resolutions, proposed
decisions, and agenda items that the United States is considering
submitting for consideration at COP13; list proposed amendments to the
CITES Appendices (species proposals) that the United States is
considering submitting for consideration at COP13; invite your comments
and information on these potential proposals; announce a public meeting
to discuss these potential proposals; and provide information on how
non-governmental organizations based in the United States can attend
COP13 as observers. We have posted an extended version of this notice
on our Web site at http://international.fws.gov, 
with text
describing each of these issues and explaining the rationale for the
tentative U.S. position on each issue.
DATES: The public meeting will be held on February 5, 2004, at 1:30
p.m. We will consider written information and comments you submit
concerning potential species proposals, proposed resolutions, proposed
decisions, and agenda items that the United States is considering
submitting for consideration at COP13, and other items relating to
COP13, if we receive them by March 12, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Public Meeting: The public meeting will be held in the
Rachel Carson Room, in the Department of the Interior at 18th and C
Streets, NW., Washington, DC. Directions to the building can be
obtained by contacting the Division of Management Authority (see FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, below).
Please note that the Rachel Carson Room is accessible to the
handicapped and all persons planning to attend the meeting will be
required to present photo identification when entering the building.
Persons who plan to attend the meeting and who require interpretation
for the hearing impaired should notify the Division of Management
Authority as soon as possible.
Comment Submission: Comments pertaining to proposed resolutions,
proposed decisions, and/or agenda items should be sent to the Division
of Management Authority; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 North
Fairfax Drive; Room 700; Arlington, VA 22203; or via E-mail at:
citescop13@fws.gov; or via fax at: 703-358-2298. Comments pertaining to
species proposals should be sent to the Division of Scientific
Authority; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 North Fairfax Drive;
Room 750; Arlington, VA 22203; or via E-mail at:
scientificauthority@fws.gov; or via fax at: 703-358-2276. Comments and
materials received will be available for public inspection, by
appointment, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at either
the Division of Management Authority or the Division of Scientific
Authority.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information pertaining to
resolutions, decisions, and agenda items: Peter O. Thomas, Chief,
Division of Management Authority; phone: 703-358-2095; fax: 703-358-
2298; E-mail: citescop13@fws.gov. For information pertaining to species
proposals: Robert R. Gabel, Chief, Division of Scientific Authority;
phone 703-358-1708; fax 703-358-2276; E-mail:
scientificauthority@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora, hereinafter referred to as CITES or the Convention, is
an international treaty designed to control and regulate international
trade in certain animal and plant species that are now or potentially
may be threatened with extinction. These species are listed in
Appendices to CITES, which are available on the CITES Secretariat's Web
site at http://www.cites.org/eng/append/index.shtml.
Currently, 164 countries, including the United States, are Parties to
CITES. The Convention calls for
[[Page 1758]]
biennial meetings of the Conference of the Parties, which reviews its
implementation, makes provisions enabling the CITES Secretariat in
Switzerland to carry out its functions, considers amendments to the
list of species in Appendices I and II, considers reports presented by
the Secretariat, and makes recommendations for the improved
effectiveness of CITES. Any country that is a Party to CITES may
propose amendments to Appendices I and II, resolutions, decisions, and/
or agenda items for consideration by all the Parties.
This is our second in a series of Federal Register notices that,
together with announced public meetings, provide you with an
opportunity to participate in the development of the U.S. negotiating
positions for the thirteenth regular meeting of the Conference of the
Parties to CITES (COP13). We published our first such Federal Register
notice on June 19, 2003 (68 FR 36831), and with it we requested
information and recommendations on species proposals, proposed
resolutions, proposed decisions, and agenda items for the United States
to consider submitting for consideration at COP13.
You may obtain information on that Federal Register notice from the
following sources: for information on proposed resolutions, proposed
decisions, and agenda items, contact the Division of Management
Authority at the above address; and for information on species
proposals, contact the Division of Scientific Authority at the above
address. Our regulations governing this public process are found in 50
CFR 23.31-23.39.
COP13 is scheduled to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, October 2-14,
2004.
I. Recommendations for Resolutions, Decisions, and Agenda Items for the
United States To Consider Submitting for COP13
In our Federal Register notice published on June 19, 2003 (68 FR
36831), we requested information and recommendations on potential
resolutions, decisions, and agenda items for the United States to
submit for consideration at COP13. We received recommendations for
resolutions, decisions, and agenda items from the following
organizations: Defenders of Wildlife; TRAFFIC North America; and the
World Wildlife Fund.
We considered all of the recommendations of the above
organizations, as well as the U.S. approach for COP13 discussed in our
June 19, 2003, Federal Register notice, when compiling a list of
possible resolutions, decisions, and agenda items that the United
States is likely to submit for consideration by the Parties at COP13,
and lists of resolutions, decisions, and agenda items for consideration
at COP13 that the United States either is currently undecided about
submitting, is not considering submitting at this time, or plans to
address in other ways. The United States may consider submitting
documents for some of the issues for which it is currently undecided or
not considering submitting at this time, depending on the outcome of
discussions of these issues in the CITES Animals, Plants, and Standing
Committees, or additional consultations with range country governments
and knowledgeable experts.
Please note that, in sections A, B, and C below, we have listed
only those resolutions, decisions, and agenda items that the United
States is likely to submit, currently undecided about submitting, or
currently not planning to submit. We have posted an extended version of
this notice on our Web site at http://international.fws.gov,
with text describing each of these issues and explaining the rationale
for the tentative U.S. position on each issue. Copies of the extended
version of the notice are also available from the Division of Management
Authority at the above address.
We welcome your submissions of comments and information regarding
the resolutions, decisions, and agenda items that the United States is
likely to submit, currently undecided about submitting, or currently
planning not to submit.
A. What Resolutions, Decisions, and Agenda Items Is the United States
Likely To Submit for Consideration at COP13?
1. A discussion document or proposed resolution on the issue of
``introduction from the sea.''
2. A proposed revision of Resolution Conf. 4.25, on effects of
reservations.
3. A proposed revision of Resolution Conf. 5.11, on the definition
of the term ``pre-Convention specimen.''
4. A proposed revision of Resolution Conf. 10.13, on implementation
of the Convention for timber species, to address plywood.
5. A proposed revision of Resolution Conf. 9.21, on quotas for
Appendix-I species.
B. On What Resolutions, Decisions, and Agenda Items Is the United
States Still Undecided, Pending Additional Information and
Consultations?
1. Agenda item to allow reports on activities related to seahorse
management.
2. Document on the issue of cooperation between CITES and the Food
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
3. Proposed resolution or discussion document on whaling and whale
stocks.
4. Document on the Implementation Working Group.
5. Proposed revision of Resolution Conf. 12.3, to include timber
identification marks and numbers on CITES timber permits and
certificates.
6. Proposed revision of Resolution Conf. 11.11, on regulation of
trade in plants.
7. Proposed resolution on the facilitated movement of samples.
8. Document on Appendix-II export quotas.
9. Proposed resolution clarifying the use of the ``ranching'' code
on CITES permits and certificates.
C. What Resolutions, Decisions, and Agenda Items Is the United States
Not Planning To Submit for Consideration at COP13, Unless We Receive
Significant Additional Information?
1. Document on the live reef food fish trade.
2. Document to provide guidance concerning trade with non-Parties.
3. Agenda items to discuss the issues of clarification of the term
``primarily commercial purposes'' and the relationship between in situ
and ex situ conservation for Appendix-I species.
4. Agenda item to discuss the issue of the authority and scope of
activity for the CITES Secretariat.
5. Agenda item to discuss model Terms of Reference for CITES
working groups.
II. Recommendations for Species Proposals for the United States to
Consider Submitting for COP13
In our Federal Register notice of June 19, 2003 (68 FR 36831), we
requested information and recommendations on potential species
amendments for the United States to consider proposing for COP13. We
received recommendations from the public for possible proposals
involving 46 taxa (1 family and 45 individual species). We note,
however, that a number of comments involved statements of support or
disagreement for given species proposals, with no biological or trade
information supporting such statements. We have
[[Page 1759]]
undertaken initial assessments of the available trade and biological
information on all of these taxa. Based on these assessments, we have
made provisional determinations of whether or not to proceed with the
development of proposals to list or delist species, or transfer them
from one Appendix to another. These determinations were made by
considering the quality of biological and trade information available
on the species; the presence, absence, and effectiveness of other
mechanisms that may preclude the need for a CITES listing (e.g., range
country actions or other international agreements); and availability of
resources. Furthermore, our assignment of a taxon to one of these
categories, which reflects the likelihood of our submitting a proposal,
included consideration of the following factors, which reflect the U.S.
approach for COP13 discussed in our June 19, 2003, Federal Register
notice:
(1) Is it a native U.S. species that is or may be significantly
affected by trade, or if it is a currently listed U.S. species, does
the listing accurately reflect the biological and trade status of the
species?
(2) Is it a native U.S. species that is not at this time
significantly impacted by trade within the United States, but is being
significantly impacted elsewhere in its range?
(3) Is it a foreign species, not native to the United States, but
which is or may be significantly affected by trade, and the United
States is a significant component of the trade (i.e., as an importing
country)?
(4) Is it a species for which the United States is neither a range
country nor a country significantly involved in trade, but for which
trade is a serious threat to the continued existence of the species,
other mechanisms are lacking or ineffective for bringing trade under
control, and action is urgently needed?
In sections A, B, and C below, we have listed the current status of
each species proposal recommended by the public, as well as species
proposals we have been developing on our own. Please note that we have
only listed these possible proposals. We have posted an extended
version of this notice on our Web site at http://international.fws.gov,
with text describing each possible proposal and explaining the
rationale for the tentative U.S. position on each possible proposal.
Copies of the extended version of the notice are also available from
the Division of Management Authority at the above address.
A. What Species Proposals Is the United States Likely To Submit for
Consideration at COP13?
The United States is likely to develop and submit proposals for the
following taxa. We welcome your comments, especially any biological or
trade information on these species. For each species, more detailed
information is on file with the Division of Scientific Authority. For
some of the species below, particularly those not native to the United
States, additional consultations with range countries and knowledgeable
experts are proceeding (see discussion), and final decisions are
pending, based on the outcomes of those consultations and any
additional information received.
Plants
1. Asian yews (Taxus spp.)--Proposal for inclusion of additional
species in Appendix II and removal of the annotation from Taxus
wallichiana.
Fish
2. Humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus)--Proposal for inclusion in
Appendix II.
Reptiles and Amphibians
3. Asian Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises--Proposals for inclusion
in Appendices I and II.
Birds
4. Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)--Proposal for transfer
from Appendix I to Appendix II.
5. Black-winged lovebird (Agapornis taranta) and peach-faced
lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis)--Proposal for removal from Appendix II.
B. On What Species Proposals is the United States Still Undecided,
Pending Additional Information and Consultations?
The United States is still undecided on whether to submit proposals
for COP13 for the following taxa. In some cases, we have not completed
our consultations with relevant range countries. In other cases,
meetings of experts are expected to occur in the immediate future and
generate important recommendations, trade analyses, or biological
information on the taxon in question. For each species, more detailed
information is available from the Division of Scientific Authority. We
welcome your comments, and especially any biological and trade
information on these species.
Invertebrates
1. Sea cucumbers (Families Holothuridae and Stichopodidae)--Action
awaiting outcome of workshop in early 2004.
2. Eastern Hemisphere tarantulas (Poecilotheria spp.)--Proposal for
inclusion in Appendix II.
Fish
3. Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias)--Proposal for inclusion in
Appendix II.
4. Sharks (Class Chondrichthyes)--Proposal for inclusion in
Appendix II.
Birds.
5. Painted bunting (Passerina ciris)--Proposal for inclusion in
Appendix I or II.
6. Finsch's amazon (Amazona finschi)--Proposal for transfer from
Appendix II to Appendix I.
7. African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus)--Proposal to transfer
from Appendix II to Appendix I.
Mammals
8. Bobcat (Lynx rufus)--Proposal for removal from Appendix II.
C. What Species Proposals is the United States Not Planning to Submit
for Consideration at COP13, Unless It Receives Significant Additional
Information?
The United States does not intend to submit proposals for the
following taxa unless we receive significant additional information
indicating that a proposal is warranted. Information currently
available for each of the taxa listed below does not support a
defensible listing proposal. We welcome your comments, especially any
biological and trade information on these species that may cause us to
reconsider the submission of a proposal. For each species, more
detailed information is available from the Division of Scientific
Authority.
Plants
1. Alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides)--Proposal for transfer from
Appendix I to Appendix II.
Fish
2. Orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus)--Proposal for inclusion
in Appendix II.
3. Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) and Antarctic
toothfish (Dissostichus mawsonii)--Proposal for inclusion in Appendix
II.
4. White shark (Carcharadon carcharias)--Proposal for inclusion in
Appendix I or II.
5. Hound sharks (Family Triakidae)--Proposal for inclusion in
Appendix II.
[[Page 1760]]
Birds
6. Loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), lark sparrow
(Chondestes grammacus), and black-throated sparrow (Amphispiza
bilineata)--Proposal for inclusion in Appendix I; curve-billed thrasher
(Toxostoma curvirostre), lark bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys), white-
crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys), Northern cardinal (Cardinalis
cardinalis), pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus), blue grosbeak (Guiraca
caerulea), lazuli bunting (Passerina amoena), indigo bunting
(Passerina), dickcissel (Spiza americana), orchard oriole (Icterus
spurious), pine siskin (Carduelis pinus), lesser goldfinch (Carduelis
psaltria), and American goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)--Proposal for
inclusion in Appendix II.
7. Yellow-crested cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea)--Proposal for
transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I.
Mammals
8. Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica)--Proposal for transfer from
Appendix II to Appendix I.
Request for Information and Comments
We invite any information and comments concerning any of the
possible COP13 species proposals, resolutions, decisions, and agenda
items discussed above. You must submit your information and comments to
us no later than March 12, 2004, to ensure that we consider them.
Announcement of Public Meeting
We announce that we will hold a public meeting to discuss with you
species proposals, as well as proposed resolutions, proposed decisions,
and agenda items that the United States is considering submitting for
consideration at COP13. The public meeting will be held on February 5,
2004, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Rachel Carson Room of the
Department of the Interior at 18th and C Streets, NW., Washington, DC.
You can obtain directions to the building by contacting the Division of
Management Authority (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, above). The
Rachel Carson Room is accessible to the handicapped. Persons planning
to attend the meeting who require interpretation for the hearing
impaired should notify the Division of Management Authority as soon as
possible.
Observers
Article XI, paragraph 7 of CITES states the following:
``Any body or agency technically qualified in protection,
conservation or management of wild fauna and flora, in the following
categories, which has informed the Secretariat of its desire to be
represented at meetings of the Conference by observers, shall be
admitted unless at least one-third of the Parties present object:
(a) international agencies or bodies, either governmental or non-
governmental, and national governmental agencies and bodies; and
(b) national non-governmental agencies or bodies which have been
approved for this purpose by the State in which they are located.
Once admitted, these observers shall have the right to participate
but not to vote.''
Persons wishing to be observers representing international non-
governmental organizations (which must have offices in more than one
country) at COP13 may request approval directly from the CITES
Secretariat. Persons wishing to be observers representing U.S. national
non-governmental organizations at COP13 must receive prior approval
from our Division of Management Authority. Once we grant our approval,
a U.S. national non-governmental organization is eligible to register
with the Secretariat and must do so at least one month prior to the
opening of COP13 to participate in COP13 as an observer. Individuals
who are not affiliated with an organization may not register as
observers. An international non-governmental organization with at least
one office in the United States may register as a U.S. non-governmental
organization if it prefers.
A request submitted to us for approval as an observer should
include evidence of technical qualifications in protection,
conservation, or management of wild fauna and/or flora, on the part of
both the organization and the individual representative(s). The request
should also include copies of the organization's charter and/or bylaws,
and a list of representatives it intends to send to COP13. An
organization that we have previously approved as an observer at a
meeting of the Conference of the Parties within the past 5 years must
submit a request, but does not need to provide as much detailed
information concerning its qualifications as an organization seeking
approval for the first time. Organizations seeking approval for the
first time should detail their experience in the protection,
conservation, or management of wild fauna and/or flora, as well as
their purposes for wishing to participate in COP13 as an observer.
These requests should be sent to the Division of Management Authority
(see ADDRESSES, above).
Once we approve an organization as an observer, we will send the
organization instructions for registration with the CITES Secretariat
in Switzerland, including a meeting registration form and relevant
travel and hotel information. Any organization requesting approval for
observer status at COP13 will be added to our CITES Mailing List if it
is not already included, and will receive notice of all future Federal
Register notices and other information pertaining to COP13. A list of
organizations approved for observer status at COP13 will be available
upon request from the Division of Management Authority just prior to
the start of COP13.
Future Actions
We expect the CITES Secretariat to provide us with a provisional
agenda for COP13 within the next several months. Once we receive the
provisional agenda, we will publish it in a Federal Register notice. We
will also provide it through our Web site at http://international.fws.gov.
The United States must and will submit any species proposals,
proposed resolutions, proposed decisions, and agenda items for
consideration at COP13 to the CITES Secretariat 150 days prior to the
start of the meeting (i.e., by May 5, 2004). We will consider all
available information and comments, including those presented at the
public meeting (see DATES above) or received in writing during the
comment period, in deciding which species proposals, proposed
resolutions, proposed decisions, and agenda items warrant submission by
the United States for consideration by the Parties. Approximately 4
months prior to COP13, we will post on our Web site an announcement of
the species proposals, proposed resolutions, proposed decisions, and
agenda items submitted by the United States to the CITES Secretariat
for consideration at COP13.
Through an additional notice and Web site posting in advance of
COP13, we will inform you about preliminary negotiating positions on
resolutions, decisions, and amendments to the Appendices proposed by
other Parties for consideration at COP13. We will also publish an
announcement of a public meeting tentatively to be held approximately 2
months prior to COP13, to receive public input on our positions
regarding COP13 issues.
Author: The primary authors of this notice are Mark Albert,
Division of Management Authority; and Karen Anderson, Division of
Scientific Authority; under the authority of the
[[Page 1761]]
U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: December 31, 2003.
Steve Williams,
Director.
[FR Doc. 04-537 Filed 1-9-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P