Flying Towards Extinction: The Role of the Aviation Industry in Perpetuating International Wildlife Trafficking

Authors

Isabelle Dominguez, Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of LawFollow

Abstract

In the past sixty years, the world has developed significant concern for burgeoning environmental issues. Starting in the 1960s, governments, industries, and the public have embraced efforts to set standards for public and private actors in areas of environmental concern. Particularly, increased globalization has led to an increase in the trade of wildlife and its products, including endangered species.

Unregulated wildlife trade implicates various issues, such as conservation concerns, the spread of diseases, and even funding for criminal organizations. While sovereign governments work independently and together to combat wildlife trafficking and its effects, current law leaves significant gaps in the implementation and enforcement of international agreements. Instead, advocates and researchers are turning to the transport sector to fill the loopholes that allow traffickers to exploit the current antiwildlife trafficking conventions.

Part I of this Comment details the dangers of wildlife trafficking and why industry leaders should care about adopting policies to combat it. Part II discusses the history of international wildlife law and argues that current law is ineffective and requires more comprehensive enforcement at the international level. Foremost, Part III of this Comment argues that the air-travel industry can and should adopt policies, like standards and regulations, that directly affect wildlife trafficking where current law fails.

Recommended Citation

Isabelle Dominguez, Flying Towards Extinction: The Role of the Aviation Industry in Perpetuating International Wildlife Trafficking, 88 J. Air L. & Com. 235 (2023)