Cruise Lines International Association has signed a voluntary international agreement obligating its members to take steps to shut down the routes wildlife smugglers use to illegally transport their cargo across borders.

CLIA is one of 40 international transportation organizations that recently signed the Buckingham Palace Declaration. The agreement was drafted by United for Wildlife, an organization founded by the U.K's. Prince Harry to combat wildlife smuggling. Among the commitments the signatories make is a zero tolerance policy regarding the problem, increased staff training and better coordination with law enforcement to inspect cargo.

"This is a significant achievement for United for Wildlife and the leaders in the transport industry," U.K. and Ireland CLIA Director Andy Harmer said "CLIA is proud to commit to the Buckingham Palace Declaration and do our part to break the chain between suppliers and consumers, particularly by increasing awareness among our passengers and crew about the nature, scale and consequences of the illegal wildlife trade."

CLIA joined a United for Wildlife taskforce on wildlife smuggling last year. It is so far the only U.S.-based trade group to do so. http://bit.ly/1Rq1j3u

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