Global discussions in Brazil are focusing on proposing additional protections for several iconic species at the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). The species under consideration, including sharks, giant otters, hyenas, and snowy owls, are known for their nomadic lifestyles, requiring collaborative efforts across countries to mitigate threats like deforestation, climate change, and industrial fishing. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, the deputy executive director of the UN Environment Programme, emphasized the interconnectedness of these species during the opening news conference in Campo Grande.
Among the species, the snowy owl is facing a decline in some regions, with Niklas Aronsson recently declaring it regionally extinct in Sweden due to the disappearance of its main food source, lemmings. While snowy owl populations are stable in Canada and the United States, countries on the species’ periphery are witnessing a decline. Efforts are underway to include the snowy owl in the CMS Appendix II for enhanced cooperation.
Hammerhead sharks, renowned for their unique physiology and gregarious behavior, are under threat from overfishing driven by the demand for their fins and cartilage. Ecuador is proposing to list critically endangered hammerhead shark species on the CMS Appendix I to facilitate comprehensive protection measures. Dr. Pelayo Salinas de León highlighted the importance of conservation strategies such as marine protected areas and sustainable fisheries management to aid in the recovery of hammerhead shark populations.
The giant otter, a sentinel of aquatic health in South America, is facing habitat loss and fragmentation due to droughts and river disconnections caused by human activities. Proposed for inclusion in both appendices, the giant otter’s plight underscores the need for transnational cooperation to preserve their aquatic habitats. The ongoing CMS meeting features discussions on 42 new migratory species proposals, with decisions on their inclusion in the appendices expected to be made by the end of the week.