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2nd Meeting of the Signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding
on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks (Sharks MOS2)

15-19 February 2016 | San José, Costa Rica

Summary Highlights of the Meeting

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Daily Web Coverage — About | 15 Feb | 16 Feb | 17 Feb | 18 Feb | 19 Feb | Summary

Local Dancers

Melanie Virtue, CMS Secretariat, and Chair Fernando Mora Rodríguez, Vice Minister of Waters,
Oceans, Coasts and Wetlands, Costa Rica

Local Dancers

Highlights for Friday, 19 February 2016

On Friday, the Second Meeting of Signatories (MOS2) to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks (Sharks MOU) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) continued for its final day in San José, Costa Rica.

In the morning, MOS2 began with discussion on the rules of procedure, without reaching agreement, namely due to the rules on quorum and decision making. MOS2 continued, discussing and adopting: their Programme of Work (2016-2018); their national reporting strategy; the revised European Union (EU) amendment to the MOU, namely that the MOS should define the Advisory Committee’s (AC) tasks; the AC’s terms of reference; and the creation of a list of experts concerned with shark conservation.

In the afternoon, Signatories informally discussed on the Sharks MOU’s rules of procedure, postponing plenary for several hours. MOS2 reconvened in the evening, without reaching agreement to the rules of procedure on the issues of quorum and decision making, but agreed to adopt the rules of procedure with a chapeau text explaining that bracketed text remains on the above issues. MOS2 nominated Lesley Gidding-Reeve (Australia) and Andrea Ramirez (Colombia) as Co-Chairs of the Intersessional Working Group (IWG), which will focus on a communication strategy for the MOU.

MOS2 heard closing speeches from Bert Lenten, CMS Secretariat, MOS2 Chair Fernando Mora Rodríguez, Vice Minister of Waters, Oceans, Coasts and Wetlands, Costa Rica, and Melanie Virtue, CMS Secretariat. They all reflected on MOS2’s accomplishments, including: the listing of 22 shark and ray species; the terms of reference for the AC, the Conservation Working Group (CWG) and for coordinating partners; the addition of one new Signatory, Portugal; and seven cooperating partners.

MOS2 closed at 6:05pm.

Visit the full ENB coverage for Friday, 19 February 2016

IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB Meeting Coverage, has provided daily web coverage and a summary and analysis report from Sharks MOS2, which is avaiable in HTML and PDF formats.


Plenary


Stamatis Varsamos, EU

Luis Estevez, US


Andrea Ramírez, Colombia, discussing with Chair Fernando Mora Rodríguez, Vice Minister of Waters, Oceans, Coasts and Wetlands, Costa Rica

Highlights for Thursday, 18 February 2016

The Second Meeting of Signatories (MOS2) to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks (Sharks MOU) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) continued for its fourth day in San José, Costa Rica.

In the morning, MOS2 began with a signing ceremony, welcoming Portugal as the fortieth member of the Sharks MOU. The Credentials Committee reported that all Signatories present at MOS2 have provided their credentials. MOS2 proceeded, continuing its discussion on the MOU’s rules of procedure, including on its purpose, quorum, decision making, procedural motions and observers. MOS2 then discussed the Advisory Committee’s (AC) terms of reference.

In the afternoon, MOS2 discussed: the MOU’s programme of work, including items related to information exchange and supporting synergies; the AC’s draft format for national reporting; and the draft terms of reference for cooperating partners, which they agreed to. They heard presentations from candidate cooperating partners, namely International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Project Aware, the Shark Trust, Sharks Advocates International, Manta Trust, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) on, inter alia: their conservation strategies; education and outreach activities; capacity building efforts; and efforts to support the Sharks MOU. Afterwards, they signed the Sharks MOU as coordinating partners. MOS2 then proceeded to discuss the terms of reference for the Conservation Working Group, to which they agreed.

Two side events were held during the lunch break, “Golfo Dulce: Scalloped Hammerhead Sanctuary” was organized by Misión Tiburon, and “Global and Regional Perspectives for the Conservation and Management Of Migratory Sharks” was organized by Pretoma and Pew Charitable Trusts.

Visit the full ENB coverage for Thursday, 18 February 2016

 

Melanie Virtue, CMS Secretariat, João Loureiro, Portugal, Bert Lenten, CMS Secretariat, Chair Fernando Mora Rodríguez, Vice Minister of Waters, Oceans, Coasts and Wetlands, Costa Rica


Lesley Gidding, Australia
Djibril Diouck, Senegal


Ralf Sonntag, DEEPWAVE

Jürgen Friedrich, Germany

Highlights for Wednesday, 17 February 2016

The Second Meeting of Signatories (MOS2) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks (Sharks MOU) continued for its third day in San José, Costa Rica.

In the morning, MOS2 commenced with a special address from Costa Rican President, Luis Guillermo Solís, who called for, inter alia, balancing the interests of fishing communities with conservation, and drafting policies based on reliable data. Melanie Virtue, CMS Secretariat, presented the President with the CMS publication, “Survival: Saving Endangered Migratory Species.”

The morning session proceeded, discussing the budget, including the MOU’s terms of reference for its Trust Fund, and draft terms of reference for the MOU’s coordinating partners. MOS2 approved the terms of reference for the 2016-2018 Trust Fund and the budget, agreeing on a 2.27% increase compared to the last triennium. The agenda item on national reporting was introduced, with Signatories agreeing to continue in a working group.

In the afternoon, MOS2 heard back from the national reporting working group, and continued its discussions on the MOU’s programme of work and rules of procedure, without conclusion.

Three side events were held. During the lunch break, “Shark conservation actions in the Middle East: the latest initiatives from the UAE” was organized by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and “Costa Rica's Blue Agenda 2014-2018” was organized by the Government of Costa Rica. In the evening, “Pacific Voyage” was organized by the Pacific Island delegations in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). This followed with a reception.

Visit the full ENB coverage for Wednesday, 17 February 2016

 

Melanie Virtue, CMS Secretariat, Chair Fernando Mora Rodríguez, Vice Minister of Waters, Oceans, Coasts and Wetlands, Costa Rica, Luis Felipe Arauz, Minister of Agriculture, Costa Rica, Luis Guillermo Solís, President of Costa Rica, Edgar Gutiérrez Espeleta, Minister of Environment and Energy, Costa Rica, and Bert Lenten, CMS Secretariat


Chair Fernando Mora Rodríguez,
Vice Minister of Waters, Oceans, Coasts and Wetlands, Costa Rica

Luis Guillermo Solís, President of Costa Rica, and Melanie Virtue, CMS Secretariat

EU participants during plenary


Highlights for Tuesday, 16 February 2016

On Tuesday, the Second Meeting of Signatories (MOS2) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks (Sharks MOU) continued for its second day in San José, Costa Rica.

In the morning, MOS2 addressed: amendments to the MOU’s Annex 3 on the Conservation Plan; the draft Programme of Work (2016-2018) to support the MOU’s implementation, discussing activities such as using social media and creating a dedicated website to increase Signatories. MOS2 addressed conservation priorities for shark and ray species for inclusion in the MOU’s Annex 1. The Advisory Committee (AC) referenced a study that found, among other issues, a lack of species-specific data and the need for updated conservation assessments. The Secretariat presented a cooperation strategy with regional fishing management organizations (RFMOs), Regional Seas Conventions (RSCs) and fisheries-related organizations, emphasizing cooperation to avoid duplication of effort. The morning also began discussions on administrative and budgetary matters, reporting on the 2013-2015 budget’s expenditure. MOS2 applauded the addition of 22 shark and ray species to its Annex 1.

In the afternoon, MOS2 continued discussions on the proposed budget (2016-2018), with the Secretariat identifying a shortfall of 50% in voluntary contributions for 2013-2015, compared to what was agreed to. Budget discussions continued in a working group for the rest of the afternoon.

Three side events were organized. Over the lunch break, two side events were held, entitled: “Traceability in Shark Products,” organized by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Secretariat; and “Threat and Conservation of sharks, skates and rays in German waters of the North and Baltic Seas,” organized by University of Hamburg and the German Government. In the evening, a side event, “Proposed Appendix II Shark and Ray listings at CITES CoP17” was organized by the Governments of Fiji, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Visit the full ENB coverage for Tuesday, 16 February 2016
Local Dancers


Rima Jabado and Mauna Al Shamsi, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Daniel Fernando, Sri Lanka


Ania Budziak, Project AWARE

Ryan Orgera, the PEW Charitable Trusts

Melanie Virtue, CMS Secretariat, and Chair Fernando Mora Rodríguez,
Vice Minister of Waters, Oceans, Coasts and Wetlands, Costa Rica


Highlights for Monday, 15 February 2016

The Second Meeting of Signatories (MOS2) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks (Sharks MOU) began Monday in San José, Costa Rica. Melanie Virtue, CMS Secretariat, welcomed participants, highlighting the growing profile of shark management and indicated that the MOU, signed 12 February 2010, is celebrating its sixth birthday. Edgar Gutiérrez Espeleta, Minister of Environment and Energy, Costa Rica, offered a keynote, underscoring the critical role of sharks for marine ecosystems and economies, and referenced national and bilateral efforts to protect marine resources.

In the morning, the meeting heard two presentations. Kryssia Brade, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on behalf of Alice Harding Shackelford, UNDP, advised moving away from unsustainable shark fishing practices. Sarah Fowler, Save Our Seas Foundation, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) Shark Specialist Group, noted that well-managed sharks and rays support, inter alia, fisheries and food security. MOS2 proceeded, discussing: the provisional rules of procedure; election of officers, electing Fernando Mora Rodríguez, Vice Minister of Waters, Oceans, Coasts and Wetlands (Costa Rica) as Chair, and Scott Gallacher (New Zealand) as Vice Chair; adoption of the agenda; credentials; and admission of observers. MOS2 heard reports from the CMS Secretariat, the Advisory Committee (AC), the Intersessional Working Group (IWG) and observer reports. A side event followed, addressing “Global Shark Conservation Strategy and Priorities for CMS Parties,” organized by Shark Advocates International and partners.

In the afternoon, MOS2 discussed two proposals to amend the MOU’s text, introduced by the European Union (EU), and draft Rules of Procedure, introduced by IWG Chair Jamie Rendell (UK).

In the evening, participants attended a reception, hosted by the Government of Costa Rica, which included a presentation on endangered scalloped hammerhead sharks.

Visit the full ENB coverage for Monday, 15 February 2016
Local Dancers

Interpretive painter at the Welcome Reception, hosted by the Government of Costa Rica.


Sarah Fowler, Save our Seas Foundation, and IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group

Melanie Virtue, CMS Secretariat

 

IWG Co-Chair Cheri McCarty (US)

Andrea Pauly, CMS Secretariat
Daily Web Coverage — About | 15 Feb | 16 Feb | 17 Feb | 18 Feb | 19 Feb | Summary
Funding for coverage of Sharks MOS2 has been provided by CMS
CMS