29-06-2009
Threatened with extinction, the European eel (Anguilla Anguilla) features on the list of protected species by the Washington Convention in its Appendix II, thereby regulating its trade. Consequently, CITES papers are now compulsory for its import into Monaco.
“These measures mean that traders concerned in the Principality, such as restaurant owners, caterers, import/export companies in the food industry, will have to comply with the CITES formalities and contact our department to obtain import and export licences", points out Cyril Gomez, Director for the Environment.
The Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is aimed at protecting species from excessive commercial exploitation which is partly responsible for the depletion of world biodiversity.
It was signed on 3rd March 1973 in Washington and entered into force on 1st July 1975; it is one of the conservation agreements with the greatest number of member countries, parties to the convention: currently 175.
The Principality of Monaco joined on 19th April 1978. The text entered into force on 18th July 1978 (Sovereign Order n° 6.292 of 23rd June 1978).
The convention concerns 33,000 species – 5,000 animals and 28,000 plants – which are protected by the provisions of the CITES in 3 appendices:
Appendix I: species threatened with extinction; trade is prohibited but certain transactions under specific conditions may be authorised.
Appendix II: species that are not yet threatened with extinction but whose trade must be regulated to prevent exploitation that may jeopardise their survival.
Appendix III: species protected in a country asking the other parties for their cooperation to control trade.
The application of the Washington Convention implies that a CITES permit is necessary for any import, export, re-export (export of an imported specimen) or introduction from the sea, of these specimens as is the case today with the European eel.
For further information:
Department for the Environment
Tel: + 377 98 98 83 41 –
environnement @gouv.mc
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