After a week of discussions in Campo Grande, Brazil, nations have agreed to provide enhanced protection for 40 migratory animal species as they move across borders and different habitats.
Amy Fraenkel, the executive secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), emphasized the importance of extending safeguards to iconic species like cheetahs, snowy owls, giant otters, and great hammerhead sharks. This marks the 15th gathering of countries party to the UN treaty established in 1979, with Canada being the only nation yet to ratify the agreement.
These species have now been added to the treaty’s appendices, which encompass a spectrum of protections ranging from stringent measures to collaborative efforts aimed at preventing species extinction and endangerment.
One common thread among these animals is their status as global travelers, not confined to a single region. For instance, snowy owls breed in the Canadian archipelago but migrate across the Arctic, with some countries reporting a decline in their visits likely due to climate change impacting their primary prey, lemmings.
With their inclusion in Appendix II, countries are encouraged to cooperate on joint action plans to safeguard species like the snowy owl. Norway, the proposer of this addition, highlighted how it would support ongoing conservation efforts and enhance monitoring of these species.
Additionally, two types of hammerhead sharks have been listed, facing threats from getting ensnared in industrial fishing nets, either as bycatch or targeted for the shark fin trade. Pelayo Salinas de León, a marine ecologist, emphasized the critical endangerment of some hammerhead species, underscoring the significance of their Appendix I listing, which mandates a ban on deliberate capture or harvesting.
The total count of species covered under both CMS appendices now exceeds 1,200. While the treaty unites over 130 ratified countries under the Bonn Convention, criticisms have been raised regarding its effectiveness due to voluntary measures and inadequate funding, compounded by notable absentees like the United States, China, and Japan.
Despite these challenges, hosting the conference in Brazil’s biodiverse Pantanal wetlands spurred progress among South American nations. They collectively agreed to include several species on the list, such as giant otters, a species of catfish, and a neotropical bird, emphasizing regional cooperation and concrete conservation proposals.
Looking ahead, the focus will be on translating these ambitions into actionable steps, building on the momentum generated during the conference. This gathering, in conjunction with other treaties like CITES, underscores the importance of protecting these remarkable migratory species and the need for collaborative conservation efforts.
The next meeting is slated for 2029, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the treaty’s establishment, set to take place once again in Bonn, Germany.
