Campo Grande, Brazil – Delegates from more than 130 countries convened at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species from March 23 to 29, 2026. The gathering produced landmark decisions to shield vulnerable animals from escalating threats like habitat loss and overexploitation. Parties approved enhanced safeguards for 40 species and populations, adding them to the treaty’s appendices that mandate strict protections and international cooperation.
Breakthrough Listings for Threatened Animals
Breakthrough Listings for Threatened Animals (Image Credits: Upload.wikimedia.org)
The conference marked a pivotal moment with approvals for new entries on Appendix I, which requires the highest level of protection for endangered migratory species, and Appendix II, calling for collaborative conservation efforts. Giant otters received dual listings, demanding cross-border actions to preserve their freshwater habitats amid population declines. Striped hyenas also gained protections across their vast range from Africa to Central Asia, addressing illegal killing and habitat fragmentation.
Sharks dominated marine listings, with great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead, and three thresher species added to Appendix I due to severe overfishing pressures. Shorebirds like the Hudsonian whimbrel, Hudsonian godwit, and lesser yellowlegs joined Appendix I, signaling urgent needs for flyway conservation in the Americas. Other notables included the snowy owl on Appendix II and the Zimbabwe cheetah population on both appendices.
Strategic Resolutions Against Major Threats
Parties adopted 39 resolutions targeting bycatch, illegal trade, and pollution, which imperil over two-thirds of listed species. Updated measures on fisheries-induced mortality urged precautionary actions for Appendix I animals, including bans on fish-aggregating devices that exacerbate shark deaths. A new global initiative launched to curb illegal and unsustainable taking, focusing on domestic drivers beyond international trade.
Marine pollution drew attention, with calls to apply precaution to deep-sea mining and reduce vessel strikes. Ecological connectivity emerged as a priority, with guidance for protected areas and infrastructure planning to maintain migratory corridors. These steps responded to reports showing 49% of migratory populations declining and 24% nearing extinction.
Innovative Action Plans and Regional Focus
Sixteen concerted actions advanced, extending efforts for giraffes, sharks, and albatrosses while launching new ones for manta rays and sand tiger sharks. Ten action plans materialized, including multi-species strategies for Amazonian catfish and bustards spanning Africa, Eurasia, and Australia. The Steppe Eagle gained a global plan, and jaguars received a regional framework for habitat connectivity in the Americas.
- Multi-species Action Plan for Amazonian Migratory Catfish, covering river connectivity for food security.
- European Eel action plan to combat overexploitation.
- Marine flyways formalized for seabirds, including gadfly petrels.
- Americas Flyways Initiative for coordinated bird conservation.
- Internationally Important Raptor Areas established worldwide.
Building Momentum for Long-Term Recovery
The outcomes aligned with the Samarkand Strategic Plan, integrating migratory needs into national biodiversity strategies. Over 2,600 participants, including Indigenous representatives, emphasized multilateralism in reversing trends. Brazil’s hosting underscored its role as a biodiversity hotspot, with Pantanal wetlands hosting the event.
Experts noted the decisions’ potential to influence upcoming biodiversity summits, though implementation remains key. Advances in data tools, like the CMS Dashboard, will track progress on freshwater fishes and other groups.
Key Takeaways from CMS CoP15:
- 40 species added to appendices, from otters to sharks.
- 39 resolutions on threats like bycatch and illegal trade.
- New flyways and action plans for birds, fish, and mammals.
These agreements offer a blueprint for halting biodiversity loss, proving nations can act decisively when evidence demands it. Coordinated efforts now hold the power to reconnect fragmented worlds for migratory life. What steps should follow to ensure these protections endure? Share your thoughts in the comments.
