Improving international systems for trade in reptile skins based on sustainable use

The aim of the present report is to examine the changing context within which the reptile skin trade has existed (“where we came from”), the extent of the current industry and its regulatory strengths and weaknesses (“where we are now”), and what the future can or should bring (“where we go from here”). In terms of future directions, there appear to be at least three key themes that need to be considered: increasing the public profile of the reptile skin industry by fostering more engagement in market-based incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of reptiles and their habitats; identifying and prioritizing current and potentially positive and negative issues linked to production and trade of reptile skins, bearing in mind that public support ultimately hinges on the positives outweighing the negatives; examining ways in which collaboration between the private sector, governments and international organizations can be beneficial to conservation, trade and the stakeholders involved.