The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) convention is aimed at what?

• A. Lists species that cannot be commercially traded
• B. Bans all international trade of wildlife
• C. Funds habitat restoration
• D. Seeks to stabilize global fish stocks

Answer: (A)

CITES regulates international trade by using lists that assign different levels of protection to species, aiming to prevent overexploitation through trade. The strongest restriction applies to species placed on the most protective list, where commercial trade is prohibited except under very limited circumstances. This makes the description that CITES lists species that cannot be commercially traded the best fit for what the convention does.

It’s not a blanket ban on all wildlife trade—trade can occur for some species if it’s tightly controlled with permits under other listings. CITES also doesn’t fund habitat restoration, nor is its primary goal to stabilize global fish stocks, which are handled by other agreements and conservation efforts.