Many ecosystems and species in CAFTA-DR countries are adversely impacted by habitat loss and illegal harvesting and trade.  The protection of wildlife and habitat is critical to long-term economic and environmental development in Central America and the Dominican Republic.  Illegal trade in wildlife (flora and fauna) poses a serious threat to such development.   To combat such trade and protect wildlife and habitat, the Environmental Cooperation Program is working to prevent species trade that violates international standards.  This work includes enforcing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and improving the protection and management of forest resources and protected areas. 

The Program’s efforts in this area include (1) strengthening scientific and institutional capacity of CITES authorities, (2) training officials responsible for implementation of CITES, (3) building intelligence networks, educating the public about the economic and ecological importance of protecting wildlife, (4) supporting new or existing animal rescue centers, (5) preventing illegal logging, and (6) promoting the sustainable management of wildlife, forests, protected areas, and other ecologically important ecosystems.

The Program also works to ensure that fisherman in the region have the tools and know how to comply with a U.S. law that requires them to use turtle excluder devices (TEDs) when catching wild shrimp for import into the U.S.  Every species of sea turtle is CITES listed.  When applied properly, TEDs reduce turtle by-catch by 97 percent.