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The States of the Caribbean region adopted in January 18th, 1990 in Kingston, Jamaica, the Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) Protocol and in 1991 the Annexs on species requiring a protection. These fix the list of coastal and marine species of flora (appendix I) and fauna (appendix II), which exploitation is forbidden, and the species of flora and fauna which populations must be maintained at a bearable level (appendix III). By the signature and the ratification of the Protocol, 16 Contracting Parties thus make a commitment to establish, among others, national measures and regional cooperation to ensure the protection and preservation of endangered species.
The Annexes I andII establish the list of flora and fauna species which require the highest level of protection. For those species the any shape of destruction, disturbance is forbidden. Are also prohibited their possession, trade or those of their seeds or eggs. It’s the same for products stemming from these species. Any activity touching their housing environment is particularly regulated. Exemptions, notified to the Secretariat of the Cartagena Convention, are possible for scientific, educational or of management purpose that are necessary for the survival of species or to prevent them from important damage for forests, cultures or ecosytems. Such exemptions may in no circumstances put in danger species and have to be the subject to a declaration with the organization so that the STAC can estimate the relevance of the granted exemptions.
The plant and animal species concerned by the Annex III are the ones for which the exploitation is authorized but regulated so as to ensure and maintain population at an optimal level. The regulations will often aim, for example, at determining selective ways of capture avoiding the local disappearance of a species or to establish periods of closed season for hunting and fishing.
Further to the SPAW COP 10, organized in Roatan, Honduras on June 03, 2019, 2 species have been added (1 in Annex II and 1 in Annex III). Download the décision.
