Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (UNEP/CMS) Development of a Strategic Plan for Migratory Species 2015 – 2023 Supporting implementation of the Biodiversity Strategic Plan & Aichi Biodiversity Targets

Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) What is CMS? Why do Migratory Species Matter? What are Threats to Migratory Species? Why is CMS needed? How Does CMS Operate? Agreements MOUs Appendices What is CMS? The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is a global treaty that aims to conserve avian, marine, freshwater, and terrestrial migratory species throughout their range. International collaboration across range states is vital in order to conserve shared migratory species as they cyclically and predictably cross one or more national jurisdictional boundaries each year. Why do Migratory Species Matter? Migratory species sustain multi-billion dollar economic activities such as large-scale commercial and recreational hunting and fishing, as well as tourism (e.g. whale and bird watching). Many rural communities rely on the seasonally predictable influx of migratory wildlife for basic subsistence. Migratory species also contribute to the functioning of local ecosystems as they travel from site to site, taking on roles such as pollinators and seed distributors. They also regulate populations of non-migratory species by serving as predators and critical food sources. What are Threats to Migratory Species? Migratory species are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic factors due to their nomadic nature. They are dependent on many different habitats and migratory corridors. Significant threats include incidental capture in fisheries, destruction or modification of habitat, introduction of invasive exotic species, unsustainable fishing and hunting, industrial and agricultural pollutants, and barriers to migration such as dams, fences, and power lines. Additionally, climate change disrupts breeding, increases disease transmission, reduces ecosystem resilience, and alters migratory patterns, having a cumulative negative impact on long-distance migratory species. Why is CMS needed? The only Multilateral Environmental Agreement (MEA) dealing with all migratory species A unique approach is needed – to address the challenges of conserving species that do not reside in one place Need also to conserve their migration routes How Does CMS Operate? CMS has separate, international legally-binding instruments and other agreements among range states of single migratory species or groups of species. These agreements can be adapted to the requirements of particular regions. Nineteen MoUs and seven Agreements are currently in place. Another legal instrument used is the listing of species on one or both of the two CMS Appendices, which are updated every three years. Appendix I - Migratory species that have been categorized as being in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant proportion of their range. No taking is permitted (exceptions - science, breeding & traditional subsistence users or extraordinary circumstances). Appendix II - Migratory species that have an unfavorable conservation status or would benefit significantly from international cooperation.

Working Group Current CMS Strategic Plan (2006-2014); Res10.5: Future Strategic Plan for 2015-2023; Strategic Plan Working Group (SPWG), regional representatives of the Parties; Draft Plan by CMS COP11 in 2014; SPWG decided to link closely with overall efforts towards supporting implementation of the Biodiversity Strategic Plan & its Aichi Targets, while still retaining migratory species’ identity and added-value As the current CMS Strategic Plan (2006-2014) will soon expire, a future Strategic Plan is required. In accordance with CMS COP10 Resolution 10.5 - a Working Group of CMS Parties has been established to prepare the future Plan, a draft of which will be presented to the next CMS Conference of the Parties (COP11) in 2014. Parties from the CMS regions, Africa, Asia, Europe, South and Central America and the Caribbean and Oceania are represented in the Working Group. The Working Group decided to link closely with overall efforts towards supporting implementation of the Biodiversity Strategic Plan and its Aichi Targets while still retaining migratory species’ identity and added-value. Thus, the Strategic Plan for Migratory Species is being developed by: Using the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets as a basis; Such an approach will allow the migratory species Strategic Plan to benefit from the existing political visibility and support for biodiversity in general, at national and global levels; Tapping into existing supporting mechanisms (e.g. on capacity building, NBSAP revisions, Aichi Target 20 on resource mobilization, and activities in the UN Decade for Biodiversity); Developing targets specific to migratory species, using the Aichi Targets as a framework but not restricted by them, so as to retain migratory species’ identity and added-value.

Main Characteristics of the Plan For migratory species as defined by the Convention; Overarching framework for all efforts to conserve migratory species; Identify and demonstrate the relevance of Aichi Targets for migratory species, and vice versa; Provide overall targets for migratory species while allowing further tailoring to specific CMS instruments through sub-targets. The new plan will be based on the approach used in the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity, which is not confined to the Convention on Biological Diversity, but was endorsed by the UNGA as the overall framework throughout the UN for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The draft Plan is therefore for all migratory species as defined by the CMS Convention, and as a Strategic Plan for Migratory Species it will thereby serve as a guiding framework for all work supporting the conservation of migratory species. Species as defined by the Convention as the entire population or any geographically separate part of the population of any species or lower taxon of wild animals, a significant proportion of whose members cyclically and predictably cross one or more national jurisdictional boundaries. It will: Provide an overarching framework for all efforts to conserve migratory species. Identify and demonstrate the relevance of Aichi Targets for migratory species, and vice versa; Provide overall targets for migratory species while allowing further tailoring to specific CMS instruments through sub-targets. Matching migratory species priorities with Aichi Targets (and thereby facilitating their inclusion in NBSAPs) will enhance their visibility at national level and hence facilitate their inclusion in funding proposals based on national priorities, such as during bilateral discussions with donor countries or the GEF. This will be particularly valuable for those countries where GEF funding is an essential element of biodiversity conservation activity. This Strategic Plan does not preclude other CMS instruments from developing a strategic plan, but it is envisaged that the Strategic Plan for Migratory Species will be broad enough to harness all related conservation efforts in the same direction. Accordingly, there is a great opportunity for this Strategic Plan to facilitate increased coherence and visibility in policy and political terms for issues related to migratory species conservation.

Twin Track (1) Strategic Plan (2) Companion Guide for Implementation. Short, focused for overall guidance; Long-term/high-level outcomes; Generate political support and visibility. (2) Companion Guide for Implementation. Guidance for implementation; Support for CMS Parties - resources, capacity building and technical assistance. Recognize contributions and responsibilities of others. Also, it is important, to integrate migratory species into National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). The CMS Strategic Plan Working Group (SPWG) has agreed upon a twin track approach.   One track is developing the Strategic Plan as a very strategic document: A short, focused document that will provide overall guidance for migratory species, can be easily communicated at the political level and will facilitate both high-level and country-level buy-in to enhance political status, engagement and funding; To define expected long-term/high-level outcomes for migratory species as a framework for assessing progress and results; To generate political support and visibility. The other track is the compilation of a ‘technical’’ Companion Volume for Implementation which will be intended to: Provide technical guidance and support for the Plan’s implementation; Connect with and guide future CMS decisions (for the CMS and its instruments); Provide guidance for enhanced and coherent implementation of the CMS Family in support of the Plan; Identify and take on board the individual contributions and responsibilities of National Focal Points, the Secretariats of CMS and its instruments, civil society and others; Support priority-setting for the development of future CMS instruments; Further develop specific provisions on indicators, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, capacity building, and so on. In parallel, for immediate action, the Working Group has recognized the importance of integrating migratory species into revisions of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) currently underway at the country level. This process will be further facilitated in the future through a close relationship between the Biodiversity SP and the CMS SP

First Draft Plan available now Comments by 30 Sept 2013 – Plan in English, French and Spanish on CMS web page www.cms.int Presents proposed Goals and Targets for migratory species, based closely on the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. For all migratory species as defined by the CMS - a guiding framework for all work supporting the conservation of migratory species. A first draft of the Strategic Plan has now been released for comments by 30 September 2013. It is available in English, French and Spanish on the CMS web page http://www.cms.int/bodies/StC/strategic_plan_2015_2023_wg/strpln_wg_drafts. The draft presents proposed Goals and Targets for migratory species, based on the Aichi Biodiversity Targets in the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. The draft Plan is for all migratory species as defined by the CMS, and as a Strategic Plan for Migratory Species it will thereby serve as a guiding framework for all work supporting the conservation of migratory species.

Importance of the consultation process To develop a strong and realistic Plan. Ensure involvement of all Parties and other stakeholders. Reflect needs and views of the entire CMS Family. Raise awareness of the Plan’s relevance for the implementation of the Biodiversity Strategic Plan. Ensure support throughout the biodiversity community. All CMS Parties and stakeholders within the CMS Family as well as from other biodiversity related MEAs, are highly encouraged to engage in this important exercise by commenting on this first Draft Plan. This will ensure the development of a strong and realistic Plan in support of the conservation of migratory species. It will also ensure that the Plan reflects the needs and views of the entire CMS Family; raises awareness of the Plan’s relevance for the implementation of the Biodiversity Strategic Plan, and ensures support throughout the biodiversity community. The Working Group and CMS Secretariat would therefore very much appreciate hearing your views by 30 September 2013, and these should be emailed to the email addresses provided on the cover of the Draft Plan, that is: cms@cms.int, inesverleye@gmail.com and wjackson@doc.govt.nz.

Next Steps November 2013 SPWG meeting to discuss and develop 2nd draft of the Plan; November 2013 Report to the CMS Standing Committee for further views; Early 2014 Another round of consultation & revisions; Mid 2014 Presentation to CMS Standing Committee; Late 2014 Presentation to CMS COP11 Next steps 25-26 Nov 2013 SPWG has their 2nd meeting in Bonn, Germany to discuss and develop the 2nd draft of the SP. Then report to CMS Standing Committee First half of 2014 Another round of consultations and revisions of the second Draft Plan. Mid 2014 Presentation to the Standing Committee. Late 2014 Presentation to CMS COP11. Contacts: For questions about the above process, you can contact me.

Some reflections to guide the consultation 1) The draft Plan aims to be an overarching framework, providing a strategic vision to support migratory species conservation. Do the goals and targets identified support this aim? 2) Sub-targets may be developed by the specific instruments within the CMS Family Which sub-targets could be developed to support the implementation of each daughter agreement and of the Plan? 3) The 2 main issues covered are (a) Migratory species & threats to them, and (b) Habitats and migratory routes & threats to them. Is there a need to extend this, and if so, how (keeping in mind the scope and mandate of CMS)? This slide is intended to generate some discussion in the session, and/or to focus people on some of the key features and objectives of the Draft Plan to see if they are on the right track, or not. 1) The draft Plan aims to be an overarching framework, providing a strategic vision to support migratory species conservation. Do the goals and targets identified support this aim? 2) Sub-targets may be developed by the specific instruments within the CMS Family Which sub-targets could be developed to support the implementation of each daughter agreement and of the Plan? 3) The 2 main issues covered are (a) Migratory species & threats to them, and (b) Habitats and migratory routes & threats to them. Is there a need to extend this, and if so, how (keeping in mind the scope and mandate of CMS)?

For more info see CMS website Thank you! For more info see CMS website www.cms.int Or contact the SPWG Ines Verleye, Chair inesverleye@gmail.com Wendy Jackson, Vice Chair wjackson@doc.govt.nz Anne Sutton, CMS Secretariat asutton@cms.int Thank you! For more info see CMS website www.cms.int Or contact the SPWG Ines Verleye, Chair inesverleye@gmail.com Wendy Jackson, vice chair wjackson@doc.govt.nz Anne Sutton, CMS Secretariat asutton@cms.int