Summary
Highlights for Tuesday, 11 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) continued its deliberations on Tuesday, 11 December, at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. Key takeaways from the second day included:
- agreement to list five species of sharks in Annex 1 of the MOU: the dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus); the guitarfish (Rhinobatos rhinobatos); the bottlenose wedgefish/whitespotted wedgefish (Rhynchobatus australiae); the oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus); and the smooth hammerhead shark (Sphyrna zygaena);
- different perspectives among Signatories regarding proposed listings of the blue shark (Prionace glauca) and the angelshark (Squatina squatina), with a working group formed to further address the issue;
- agreement on a provision regarding lookalike species, which notes that if differentiation from an Annex 1 listed species is difficult and confusion is likely, species or species groups may be listed as lookalike species; and
- considerable time debating the pros and cons of using the term “invoice” in regard to indicative contributions, but no disagreement about the challenges associated with the 40% shortfall in contributions actually received.
MOS3 further addressed, without reaching agreement: suggestions for better differentiating between the geographical extent of migrations; and a matrix to clearly determine whether a species meets the criteria and to prioritize species for listing based on their level of depletion and extent of its migratory nature. In the afternoon, Signatories considered three scenarios for the proposed budget for the triennium 2019-2021, which included: a zero/nominal increase; a 10.4% increase to address suggested increased staffing and interpretation costs; and a 14.4% increase that would support additional engagement with regional fisheries management organizations. Decisions were deferred, pending discussions on other items likely to affect the budget. Two side events took place during the day. At lunchtime, Manta Trust organized an event called, “A Conservation Roadmap for Manta and Devil Rays Globally.” In the evening, Sri Lanka and Senegal organized an event called, “Sharks and Rays Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Global Implementation Action and a Preview of Proposals for COP18.”
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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Around the venue
