Billions of animals move regularly every year. Between migratory species There are some of the world’s most iconic, such as sea turtles, whales and oceanic sharks; herds of elephants, wild cats, and hoofed mammals traveling daily across plains and deserts; birds of prey, other sky-flying waterfowl and songbirds, and even insects such as the monarch butterfly.” In the United Nations (UN) report, The great danger facing all migratory species, indicators of environmental change. So much so that One in five people is in danger of extinction.
“Migratory species are a shared natural treasure and their survival and conservation are the responsibility of everyone, regardless of national borders,” says the report “The situation of the world’s migratory species” published by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).
The main result of the research is this: The overall conservation status of migratory species is deteriorating. Species on CMS conservation lists reflect this broader trend, although they are making progress.
protection needs The threats facing migratory species need to be addressed “more effectively, on a larger scale and with renewed determination”, the report says.
In particular, the authors consider it necessary to take “emergency measuresPreventing the extinction of species classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ and ‘Threatened’, which represent a significant proportion of all marine and freshwater fish species (79%) and sea turtles (43%) listed by CMS.
Overexploitation is the biggest threat
The report also emphasizes its existence. 399 threatened species that are not currently covered by the Convention and require special attentionBecause they cannot yet benefit from the international protection provided by the Convention.
Among the most surprising results, Overexploitation is the greatest threat to many migratory species, surpassing even habitat loss and fragmentation..
Overexploitation involves the capture of wild populations by deliberately removing them from their natural habitat. Hunting and Fishingas well as incidental capture of non-target species. Actually, Bycatch of non-target species is a major cause of mortality for many marine species. Included in CMS lists.
“Habitat loss, fragmentation and barriers to migratory movements continue to be the main threats facing migratory species“, its text reads. Although globally, 49% of areas identified as key to CMS species are subject to some level of protection, many important areas have not yet been mapped.
This information is crucial for adoption. effective protection measures by region and for full compliance with legislation protection measures Number of migratory species associated with infrastructure investments and other economic activities.
On the other hand, among them Important places for the species appeared more than once in the detected CMS lists half face unsustainable situations due to human impact. Other critical threats to migratory species include: light and noise pollutionHE climate change And invasive species.
Take action immediately
According to the authors of the report, the most important measures to be taken include: fight against unsustainable and illegal capture number of migratory species nationally; greatly reduce bycatch and bycatch; Identify all important areas for migratory species and take measures to protect or preserve them.
The authors claim international cooperation To stop the decline in the populations of migratory species and Urgent action is needed.
Within the framework of CMS, a number of collaborative projects are currently ongoing; examples of these include two intergovernmental working groups. Addressing the illegal killing, capture and trade of migratory birdsand multilateral initiatives Ensuring the long-term survival of migratory mammals in Central Asia and carnivores in Africa.
But they emphasize that These efforts need to be “strengthened and expanded” to halt the decline of migratory species and encourage the recovery of populations and their habitats.. “This should include actions to identify additional key areas for migratory species and to better understand the threats they face, ensuring that these areas are internationally recognized and effectively protected and preserved, and that they are well connected and, where necessary, restored to their full ecological potential,” the document states. It is stated.
All this will be “important” for us Help migratory birds adapt to climate change and to effectively address biodiversity crisis, the authors state.
“The good news is that the main drivers of population decline and species loss and the solutions are known, although some significant data gaps remain.”
Reference report: https://www.cms.int/sites/default/files/publication/State%20of%20the%20Worlds%20Migratory%20Species%20report_S.pdf
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