Initiated by a COP decision, the Review of Significant Trade process is the CITES mechanism for remedial action when there is reason to believe that certain listed species (in Appendix II) are being traded at significant levels without adequate implementation of CITES provisions. If implemented correctly, the process acts as a safety net for the Convention by ensuring that species are managed sustainably. The Animals and Plants Committees implement the mandate for this process.
The queen conch (Strombus gigas), has been reviewed under the Significant Trade process. The artisanal queen conch fishery and the trade in the valuable meat of this large marine snail are of particular importance to the Caribbean region. International trade requires CITES documents which should only be issued when relevant national CITES authorities are satisfied that two conditions are met: first, the conch were legally obtained in the State and, second, exports will not be detrimental to the survival of queen conch populations. After detailed reviews by the Animals Committee in 2003, a comprehensive set of recommendations was directed to 16 range States where exploitation of queen conch for international trade appeared problematic because levels of authorized exports might not be sustainable. The recommendations needed to be implemented by September 2005. A workshop of the CITES Secretariat with the affected range States in December 2005 showed that many if not all States had actively engaged in taking remedial measures, greatly improved their queen conch management and made considerable progress in addressing sometimes complex fishery and conservation issues. FAO and regional fisheries agreements, which had participated in the initiative, committed further support. This should ensure sustainable, transparent queen conch fishery and trade in full compliance with CITES provisions.
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