Which division of the USFWS provides technical and scientific advice for implementing CITES?

The division of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that provides technical and scientific advice for implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is the Scientific Authority. This authority is responsible for ensuring that all species involved in international trade are monitored and managed in a way that is sustainable, allowing for the protection of endangered species while facilitating lawful trade.

The Scientific Authority's role includes reviewing scientific data related to species and determining whether proposed trade activities comply with CITES regulations. It also assesses the impact of the trade on the species' survival and helps inform policymakers and other stakeholders about conservation options. Their expertise is crucial for ensuring that trade does not threaten the survival of wildlife or plant species listed under CITES.

In contrast, while the Wildlife Trade Information System may play a role in providing data related to wildlife trade, it does not primarily focus on the implementation and scientific advising aspect as the Scientific Authority does. The Division of Management Authority is primarily involved with the administration of permits and regulations but does not provide the technical and scientific advice needed for CITES implementation. The World Wildlife Fund is a conservation organization, not a division of the USFWS, which further separates it from the responsibility of