Trade Restrictions on Phelsuma comorensis and Phelsuma v-nigra from the Comoros

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service received notice from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Secretariat that the Comoros failed to satisfy the CITES Parties that the required non-detriment findings are being made when issuing permits for certain CITES-listed species. This failure poses a serious threat to populations of these species. The CITES Secretariat’s notice recommends that all CITES countries refuse import of two species of day geckos (Phelsuma v-nigra and Phelsuma comorensis) from Comoros.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service received notice from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Secretariat that the Comoros failed to satisfy the CITES Parties that the required non-detriment findings are being made when issuing permits for certain CITES-listed species. This failure poses a serious threat to populations of these species. The CITES Secretariat’s notice recommends that all CITES countries refuse import of two species of day geckos (Phelsuma v-nigra and Phelsuma comorensis) from Comoros.

The Endangered Species Act prohibits trade in specimens contrary to the CITES Convention. Articles II and VIII of CITES require that appropriate measures are taken to enforce the provisions of the treaty and to prohibit trade in specimens that is in violation of the treaty. Article III of CITES states that permits and certificates are valid only when the exporting country has made the required determination that trade in the specimens will not be detrimental to the wild population. 50 Code of Federal Regulations § 23.26 states that only a CITES document is accepted when the issuing country has made the required non-detriment finding.

Based upon the lack of required non-detriment findings, the United States cannot establish that current trade in these species is sustainable and not detrimental to the wild population. Any export permit or re-export certificate issued for Phelsuma v-nigra or Phelsuma comorensis from Comoros is considered invalid and the species may not be imported.

Effective immediately, the United States will prohibit the import of Phelsuma v-nigra or Phelsuma comorensis from Comoros. This prohibition applies to all commercial and noncommercial imports of these species, including tourist souvenirs and personal effects. All such shipments or specimens imported directly or indirectly from these countries are subject to seizure and forfeiture.

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