The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls. These require that all import, export and re-export of species covered by the Convention have to be authorized through a licensing system.

The species covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices, according to the degree of protection they need:

Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction. Trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.
Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival.
Appendix III contains species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade.

The Bahamas exports conch, which is listed in Appendix II of CITES and thus subject to controls for the international trade as prescribed for Appendix II species and products from such species.
Each Party to the Convention must designate one or more Management Authorities in charge of administering the licensing system and one or more Scientific Authorities to advise them on the effects of trade on the status of the species. www.cites.org

The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources serves as both the Management Authority and Scientific Authority for CITES in The Bahamas.

Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources
Island Traders  Building
East Bay Street and Okra Hill
P.O. Box N-3028
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Phone: 1 (242) 397-7400
Fax:  1 (242) 322-1767
E-mail: minagriculturemarine@bahamas.gov.bs

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Public Holidays