Convention on Migratory Species
Wildlife Treaty for Cooperative Protection Among Range States
The CMS provides a forum for countries to cooperate in the protection of wildlife that migrates. Agreements, MoUs and Initiatives are used to protect endangered species.
The Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals, also known as the Bonn Convention for the city where it was signed, is one of many efforts to safeguard endangered and threatened species. Individual countries are often unable to completely protect animals that migrate. By developing multi-national plans with all range states involved in the process, the Convention aims to present programs are practical for the participation of stakeholder nations.
The CMS is conducted under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which provides administrative support.
Its working groups are:
The Conference of the Parties the decision making group responsible for reviewing implementation of agreements and MoUs, adopting budget resolutions and amending species lists
The Scientific Council, experts appointed by CMS Parties who provide input on scientific matters
The Standing Committee, regional representatives to the CMS who develop general policy and provide operational and financial direction.
The Secretariat, develops and promotes agreements, is responsible for disseminating information and organizing meetings
The Convention lists animals at risk under 2 Appendices.
Appendix I consists of wildlife species which are in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant proportion of their range.
Appendix II names species which have an unfavorable conservation status or which would benefit significantly from international cooperation on their protection.
The CMS uses three formats for range state cooperation
The Agreement
This legally binding pact is the most formal of the Conventions transactions. To date there are six Agreements to protect albatrosses and petrels, Eurasian migratory waterbirds, Wadden Sea seals, small cetaceans in the Baltic and North Seas, cetaceans in the Mediterranean, Black Sea and contiguous Atlantic area, and European bats
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
These documents are slightly less formal but because they are developed in cooperation with the range states where the endangered or threatened animals exist, they are much more likely to be adhered to than treaties imposed by non-stakeholder nations. To date MoUs are in place for the Siberian Crane, the Slender-billed Curlew, Marine Turtles of the Atlantic coast of Africa, Marine Turtles of the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia, the European population of the Great Bustard, Bukhara Deer, Aquatic Warbler, West African Populations of the African Elephant, Saiga Antelope, Cetaceans of the Pacific Island States and, most recently the Eastern Atlantic population of the Mediterranean Monk Seal.
The Initiative
Before an Agreement or MoU is developed, the Initiative provides a way of opening discussions between range states about the species of concern. During this phase meetings are held to bring out issues and potential methods of addressing them. Dugongs, gorillas, raptors, sharks, and West African aquatic mammals are all subjects of initiatives which may lead to greater protection for them.
No treaty is ever the guarantee of protection for an endangered or threatened species. Lack of funding, local conflicts and many other problems can reduce the effectiveness of any accord. But the recognition of the problem and the willingness to sit at the table and discuss options is at least a start.
