Understanding the Executive Order on Combating Wildlife Trafficking OLE HQ Special Agent Stuart Cory February 18, 2014
History of the Executive Order On November 8, 2012, US State Secretary Hillary Clinton at an event on Wildlife Trafficking and Conservation: A Call to Action held in Washington, D.C. On July 1, 2013 President Obama signs the Wildlife Trafficking Executive Order and pledges 10 million dollars to combat wildlife trafficking. On February 11, 2014 President Obama signed the National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking. (Jeff Hutchens/Getty Images) U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 2
Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking Establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking (senior level members) Co-chairs Departments of State, Interior and Justice Besides the 3 co-chairs 14 other senior level officials representing Department, Agencies and Offices have been selected. U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 3
Presidential Task Force Agencies The Department of the Treasury The Department of Defense The Department of Agriculture The Department of Commerce The Department of Transportation The Department of Homeland Security The United States Agency for International Development The Office of the Director of National Intelligence; The Office of Management and Budget; The Domestic Policy Council The Council on Environmental Quality; The Office of Science and Technology Policy; The Department of State The Department of Interior The Department of Justice Such agencies and offices as the Co-Chairs may, from time to time, designate. U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 4
Investigation and Interdiction Providing effective support for anti-poaching activities. Providing strategic advice, training, and financial and technical assistance to enable foreign government to investigate and prevent wildlife trafficking activities. Supporting and participating in coordinated regional law enforcement efforts, including Wildlife Enforcement Networks Devoting enforcement resources to combat wildlife trafficking domestically U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 5
Enforcement and Prosecution Developing and supporting effective legal enforcement mechanisms. Providing technical assistance to foreign nations to help support effective prosecution of wildlife trafficking laws. Expanding the use of transnational organized crime prosecution techniques and related tools in investigating and prosecuting wildlife trafficking. U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 6
International Coordination and Diplomacy Consulting with other nations that monitor and aid in wildlife crime enforcement Identify priorities for international wildlife conservation funding, wildlife trafficking prevention an implementing international initiatives. Developing strategies to reduce consumer demand for trade in protective species, including through coordinated efforts to raise public awareness in illegal wildlife trade. U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 7
Three strategic priorities 1. Strengthen Enforcement We will improve efforts in the United States to stop illegal trade in wildlife and to enforce laws prohibiting wildlife trafficking. 2. Reduce Demand for Illegally Traded Wildlife We will raise public awareness of the harms done by wildlife trafficking through outreach in the United States and public diplomacy abroad to dissuade consumers from purchasing illegally traded wildlife. 3. Expand International Cooperation and Commitment Through our diplomacy, we will mobilize global support for, and encourage partners to actively participate in, the fight against wildlife trafficking. U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 8
What does that mean for the IMCS and other international groups? Better access to the U.S. government resources. Better coordination on global operational projects. Connecting on global training issues. Support at the highest level of the U.S. government on dealing with domestic and international wildlife trafficking. Having a national strategic plan on dealing with wildlife trafficking both domestically and internationally. U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 9
Questions??? U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 10