International Trade in Endangered Species

From the CITES convention annex species only international trade with one Galanthus -family is allowed for commercial purpose. Illegal trade with Galanthus is known from 1994. Convention secretariat has reported about it (1996). For the study of the state and causes the International support from the Fauna and Flora International was conducted. From 1999 trade with Galanthus is regulated by government of Georgia: only trade with bulbs from artificial plantations is allowed. Galanthus is growing in the Autonomic Republic of Achara and partially in Guria region.

By collaboration of Georgian CITES service and US Wildlife and Fish Service the proposal on the transfer from annex II to the annex I of aphalina dolphin (Tursiops truncatus ponticus) was submitted. The background for this was the speeded up decline in the number of all three existing Black Sea dolphin species, especially, of aphalina dolphin (Tursiops truncatus ponticus). Reasons of these decline are as follows: illegal trade, increased sea water pollution, Black sea dramatic ecosystem changes. The proposal is under consultation process.

In 1990-97 legally were exported 43 species of Black Sea aphalina dolphin. It is listed in the Red Books of Russia and Ukraine, it is planned to introduce it in the planned new Red Book of Georgia. Illegal trade is taking place, but there are no official data available.

There is legislation of Georgia under development for the purpose of proper enforcement of CITES convention at national level.

© UNEP/GRID-Tbilisi, 2000

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Last Updated: 24/02/2000