Summary
Highlights for Monday, 10 December 2018
The Third Meeting of Signatories (MOS3) 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, 10 December, at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. Delegates heard opening remarks from Melanie Virtue, CMS Secretariat; Chair Robert Calcagno, CEO, the Oceanographic Institute, Monaco; and Isabelle Rosabrunetto, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Relations and Cooperation, Monaco. They underscored that scientific data are alarming; threats that sharks face are “globalized and complex,” and sharks’ conservation will greatly benefit from further international cooperation. In the morning, delegates also heard reports of: the Sharks MOU Secretariat; signatories and cooperating partners; the Advisory Committee; and the Intersessional Working Group. They also considered an analysis of national reports and decided to establish a working group to further improve the online reporting tool. An informal group met in the afternoon to develop the working group’s terms of reference. In the afternoon, delegates heard introductory remarks and exchanged initial opinions on: proposals for the amendment of the Advisory Committee’s terms of reference; criteria for the inclusion of species in Annex 1 of the MOU; the new format for listing proposals as agreed at the 12th Conference of the Parties of the CMS; and budgetary and administrative matters.A keynote speech by Pierre Frolla, Monegasque free diver and world record holder, Ecole Bleu, focused on sharing diving experiences and on the power of images to effectively communicate messages related to ocean conservation, especially with youth.A welcoming reception, hosted by the Principality of Monaco and attended by Prince Albert II of Monaco, took place in the evening. Key takeaways from the first day included:
- establishment of a working group to improve the online reporting tool, increasing flexibility and enabling signatories to better report on conservation efforts and relevant activities;
- recognition from analysis of national reports that legislative gaps exist in many countries, as well as high levels of incidental by-catch of CMS Appendix I species;
- the considerable need to scale-up budgetary contributions to match ambitions and allocated tasks; and
- the importance of using visual messages to increase public engagement, especially with children.
IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, has provided a summary and analysis report from Sharks MOS3.
Photos by IISD/ENB | Mike Muzurakis
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margin-top: -3px;">Pierre Frolla, free diver and world record holder, focused on the power of images to effectively communicate messages related to ocean conservation.
Reception hosted by the Principality of Monaco
Around the venue
