APPENDIX E

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE AD HOC EXPERT ADVISORY PANEL FOR ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSALS TO CITES

(Adopted by COFI, see paragraph 48)

1. FAO will establish an ad hoc Expert Advisory Panel for the Assessment of Proposals to Amend CITES Appendices I and II.

2. The Panel shall be established by the FAO Secretariat in advance of each Conference of the Parties, according to its standard rules and procedures and observing, as appropriate, the principle of equitable geographical representation, drawing from a roster of recognized experts, to be established, consisting of scientific and technical specialists in commercially-exploited aquatic species.

3. The Panel members shall participate in the Panel in their personal capacity as experts, and not as representatives of governments or organizations.

4. The Panel will consist of a core group of no more than 10 experts, supplemented for each proposal by up to 10 specialists on the species being considered and aspects of fisheries management relevant to that species.

5. For each proposal the Panel shall:

• assess each proposal from a scientific perspective in accordance with the CITES biological listing criteria, taking account of the recommendations on the criteria made to CITES by FAO;
• comment, as appropriate, on technical aspects of the proposal in relation to biology, ecology, trade and management issues, as well as, to the extent possible, the likely effectiveness for conservation.

6. In preparing its report, the Panel will consider the information contained in the proposal and any additional information received by the specified deadline from FAO Members and relevant RFMOs. In addition, it may ask for comments on any proposed amendment, or any aspect of a proposed amendment, from an expert who is not a member of the Panel if it so decides.

7. The Advisory Panel shall make a report based on its assessment and review, providing information and advice as appropriate on each listing proposal. The Panel shall finalize the advisory report no later than ?? days¹ before the start of the CITES Conference of the Parties where the proposed amendment will be addressed. The advisory report shall be distributed as soon as it is finalized to all members of FAO, and to the CITES Secretariat with a request that they distribute it to all CITES Parties.

8. The general sequence of events will be as follows:

• Proposals received by CITES
• Proposals forwarded by CITES Secretariat to FAO
• FAO forwards proposals to FAO Members and RFMOs and notifies them of deadline for receipt of comments
• Member and RFMO comments and input received by FAO
• Panel meets and prepares advisory report on each proposal
• Panel report reviewed by FAO Secretariat and forwarded to FAO Members, RFMOs and CITES Secretariat.

¹ To be discussed with the CITES Secretariat