An analysis of CITES implementation in Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

Trabajo Fin de Máster Propio. Tutores: Dr. Yula Kapetanakos ; Mr. Mark Gibson (PhD Student). This study used expert interviewing (n=22) to provide the first comprehensive assessment on the implementation of CITES in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T). T&T became a Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1984. However, T&T’s government agencies tasked with implementing CITES has faced numerous obstacles when trying to manage the illegal wildlife trade, many of which need to be addressed. Expert interviewing was used to acquire the data supported; a semi-structured questionnaire was distributed among experts wholly or any part thereof in the field of flora and fauna management, protection and conservation. The results were acquired by summarizing and coding the expert personnel responses to the questions posed. This work was further supplemented with a policy gap analysis of implementation documents, the proposed T&T CITES legislation, roles and functions of the Management and Scientific Authority of T&T and an analysis of CITES traded flora and fauna. The ultimate objective of this research is to make recommendations to guide the Government of the Republic of T&T (GoRTT) so they can have a strong institutional framework for co-ordinated planning and law enforcement operations, which are prerequisites for regulated trade (Eid,2010). The results of the study indicate that there are widely-recognized needs for training in CITES, a lack of communication from the T&T CITES Management Authority to other agencies, a lack of funding to purchase tools and equipment, and a lack of development of CITES implementing legislation.