Freyja Watters

Current research I am an ARC grant-funded postdoctoral researcher with the Wildlife Crime Research Hub. My current work focuses on the national–international interface of wildlife trade governance, and the conservation and biosecurity risks posed by both legal anf illicit domestic trade. I have particular interests in examining the online wildlife trade, in reducing the opacity of trade regulation through clearer rules and more complete documentation of what is traded, and in improving the quality and openness of trade data so that it can be readily accessed and analysed. Alongside this, I currently contribute to a range of collaborative projects and data acquisition efforts that aim to build the evidence base needed for effective enforcement and policy. PhD research My PhD examined the effectiveness and equity of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) across its first 50 years. Through four studies, the thesis uncovered several critical insights: shifting taxonomic trends in Appendix I and II listing proposals alongside inconsistent uptake of advice from the Secretariat, IUCN and FAO; the underused potential of Appendix III as a tool for gathering trade data and securing national protections; persistent inequalities in participation at CITES Conferences of the Parties (CoPs) that amplify the influence of larger, better-resourced delegations; and highlighting that non-CITES wildlife trade, particularly in the United States, is larger and more diverse than the regulated trade, exposing significant regulatory gaps. Together, this work identifies where CITES could be strengthened to better protect endangered species worldwide. Conservation and Biodiversity, Biosecurity science and invasive species ecology, Ecology, International agreements on trade

2026 - Broadbridge, J., Watters, F., & Cassey, P. (2026). Unruffling the global feather trade: a comparative analysis of CITES and LEMIS records of feathers and bird skins. Wildlife Biology, 2026(1), e01553-1-e01553-12. DOI: 10.1002/wlb3.01553 2026 - Watters, F., & Cassey, P. (2026). Fifty years of CITES listings: evolving criteria, trends, and listing outcomes. Biodiversity and Conservation, 35(1), 35-1-35-25. DOI: 10.1007/s10531-025-03197-5 2026 - Watters, F., & Cassey, P. (2026). CITES Appendix III: An underused tool for international wildlife trade regulation. Conservation Science and Practice, 1-11. DOI: 10.1111/csp2.70362 2026 - Watters, F., & Cassey, P. (2026). Disparities in delegation size and their implications for equitable participation at CITES CoP meetings. Conservation Scien