Abstract:

Environmental research, including the study of climate change, biodiversity, and biological resources are paying increasing attention to aquatic organisms. Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is therefore increasingly emphasizing the management of aquatic species. Since the 9th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES, aquatic species have occupied an important position in the discussion of species listing, and relevant trade management system has been completed and improved. As a party of CITES and a major consumer of aquatic species, China has been greatly influenced by these actions. By reviewing recent progress of CITES related to aquatic species in light of discussions from 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES, we summarize the hot topics in aquatic species management, and discuss the trends in their development as well as their impact on Chinese fisheries. We find that the aquatic management scope of CITES is expanding, and that management measures are continuously improving. If CITES continues to include more commercially-exploited aquatic species under its protection, this trend will strongly affect Chinese fisheries management. We conclude that intensive research on usage and management of aquatic biotic resources should be encouraged in order to provide data for conservation, sustainable management, and CITES negotiations.

Key words: CITES, aquatic wildlife, commercially exploited aquatic species, wildlife trade, wildlife conservation