The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild
Animals
Migration is a natural phenomenon by which individuals of a given
species move between areas which they inhabit at different times of
the year. Migratory species of animals not only need good habitats
for reproduction but also during their non-breeding and all along
their migratory routes. In an ever-changing world, human pressure
is high on some of those habitats, and also often on the animals
themselves (hunting, incidental catch, etc). To conserve species
whose movements regularly cross national borders, international
cooperation is of vital importance.
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild
Animals (Bonn Convention or CMS) was adopted in Bonn, Germany
in 1979 and came into force in 1985. Contracting Parties work
together to conserve migratory species and their habitats by
providing strict protection for endangered migratory species
(listed in Appendix I of the Convention), concluding multilateral
Agreements for the conservation and management of migratory species
which require or would benefit from international cooperation
(listed in Appendix II), and by undertaking cooperative research
activities.
The UK ratified the Convention in 1985. The legal requirement for
the strict protection of Appendix I species is provided by the
Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981 as amended), the Wildlife
(Northern Ireland) Order 1985, and the Nature Conservation and
Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. In addition the
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW) was enacted in
England and Wales to strengthen the protection of certain species
by increasing penalties and enforcement powers; and strengthened
the protection of sites from damage caused by third
parties.
The UK has currently ratified four legally binding Agreements
under the Convention, namely the Agreement on the Conservation of
Populations of European Bats (EUROBATS); the African-Eurasian
Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA); and the Agreement on the
Conservation of Small Cetaceans in the Baltic and North Seas
(ASCOBANS), and the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels
(ACAP). The UK has also ratified the Memorandum of
Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Marine Turtles
and their Habitats of the Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, in respect
of the British Indian Ocean Territory, the Memorandum of
Understanding on that Aquatic Warbler, the Memorandum of
Understanding concerning the Conservation of Migratory Birds of
Prey in Africa and Eurasia and Memorandum of Understanding for the
Conservation of Cetaceans and their Habitats in the Pacific Islands
Region.
JNCC provides scientific and technical advice to the Government and
the country agencies on the interpretation, application and
implementation of the Convention and its agreements. This includes
advising on the appropriateness of protection proposals; having
input to the research work and advising on the potential impact of
resolutions or guidance proposed for adoption at Conferences of the
Parties.
May 2010