CITES

To apply for a CITES permit, you must submit a request and paperwork to the Nature Foundation at manager@naturefoundationsxm.org. The Nature Foundation is the scientific and management authority for the ecosystems of St. Maarten and handles CITES permits. You must include the following in your email:

1. The species, including its Latin name
2. The amount (weight) or quantity (numbers) of the species
3. An exporter and importer address and countries
4. The purpose of the transaction
5. If alive, how the live species will be transported
6. If a re-export, include the previous import and export permits
7. If importing, include copies of the export permits

Please reach out to the Nature Foundation manager with any questions.

A species that is protected under CITES is regulated and cannot be transported across national borders without proper documentation, permits, and certification, whether it is dead or alive. This includes its body parts or any derivatives, such as shells or feathers.

These are some of the most commonly found species protected by CITES. This is not a comprehensive list and does not reflect the totality of CITES-listed species around St. Maarten. A list of all CITES-protected species can be found on the CITES website.

• All coral species
• All cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises)
• All sea turtle species (Cheloniidae)
• All orchid species (Orchidaceae)
• All cacti species
• All Parrots
• Queen conch (Strombus gigas)
• Green iguana (Iguana iguana)
• Seahorse species (Hippocampus)
• Manta ray (Manta birostris)
• Great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran)
• Shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus)
• Whale shark (Rhincodon typus)
• Red footed tortoise – land turtle
• Green-throated Carib (Eulampis holosericeu)
• Antillean crested hummingbird (Orthohyncus cristatus)
• Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
• Lignum vitae (Guaiacum officinale)
• All Boas and Pythons
• All alligators, crocodiles and caimans
• Some bats

Appendix I affords the highest level of protection and covers endangered species since they are at risk of extinction. Trade is prohibited for all but the most extenuating of non-commercial circumstances, such as scientific research. Importation and exportation require extensive review and permits. Appendix I protects 1,082 species globally. In St. Maarten, Appendix I protects over a dozen sea turtles and whale species.

Appendix II lists species at risk of becoming endangered if governments do not proactively control the trade. Trade is regulated. Exportations are allowed with a permit or certificate after inspection and review, and an import permit is not mandatory. It also regulates the exchange of “look-alike species” to protect the threatened species they resemble. Appendix II covers 37,420 species globally. In St. Maarten, Appendix II protects 89 species of coral, sharks, and cetaceans.

Appendix III applies to species that may be at risk locally in a particular country. In this case, a country asks CITES for assistance in protecting the international trade of a species. Other Parties cooperate with Appendix III and regulate their trade according to the agreed-upon controls. Trade is allowed but monitored. Appendix III covers 211 species globally. In St. Maarten, no species are listed under Appendix III.

CITES attempts to address exploitation via the international wildlife trade, which is hugely lucrative for both dead and live organisms. The United Nations estimates that the illegal trade is worth between $7 billion and $23 billion a year. While the wildlife trade is devastating for ecosystems and species, it also harms local economies, societal stability, and human health.

CITES international is managed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and was passed in 1975. With 183 Parties to date, CITES protects over 5,950 animal species and 32,800 plant species globally.