Convention on Migratory Species
9th Conference of the Parties (CoP9), 1-4 December 2008,
Rome
There were crossroads and controversy to
negotiate at the last Conference of the Parties to the Convention
on Migratory Species (CMS) in Rome in December. The CMS is a
species-based, action-focused Convention, which creates a framework
to develop other treaties for specific species or groups of
species. CMS has grown significantly in the past decade. With 110
Parties, CoP9 was therefore a crossroads. CoP recognised this by
passing resolutions that consolidate and review direction, in
parallel with continuing action. JNCC and Scottish Natural Heritage
staff provided scientific advice as part of the UK delegation led
by Defra.
Most of the new species listings were
uncontroversial, but proposals to list the saker falcon on
Appendix I, and several shark species on Appendix II, generated
considerable debate, both in formal session, and in the corridors.
The proposal for listing the saker was eventually withdrawn, but
only after adoption of a resolution which will bring it back for
listing if there is not a significant improvement in its status by
the next CoP. The shark proposals eventually went through, after
agreement to restrict listing to the Northern hemisphere
populations of the spiny dogfish, as South American Parties did not
consider that there was scientific evidence of declines for
southern hemisphere populations.
Key resolutions can be found at http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop9/COP9_Pre_final_res_rec_en.htm
and included:
- developing an inter-sessional process to determine the future
shape of the Convention;
- reducing the impact of climate change on migratory
species;
- convening a taskforce on wildlife diseases;
- recognition of emerging evidence of the impact of ocean noise;
and
- continuing to work to mitigate the impacts of bycatch.
Dr James Williams
Biodiversity Information Service
Tel: +44 (0) 1733 866868
Email: