Migratory species of wild animals are part of the world’s natural heritage. They form a significant portion of its biodiversity and genetic resources and play a unique role as indicators of ecological change (e.g. climate and pollution). In addition, they provide numerous ecosystem services for instance by dispersing seeds and pollinating plants. They are a source of food for other animals and humans. Many have spiritual and cultural significance and are key elements of ecotourism.
CMS Family Portal
Background information
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Regions:CMS Instruments:ACAP, ACCOBAMS, AEWA, Aquatic Warbler, ASCOBANS, Atlantic Turtles, Bukhara Deer, CMS, Dugong, EUROBATS, Gorilla Agreement, High Andean Flamingos, IOSEA Marine Turtles, Middle-European Great Bustard, Monk Seal in the Atlantic, Pacific Islands Cetaceans, Raptors (Birds of Prey), Ruddy-headed Goose, Saiga Antelope, Sharks, Siberian Crane, Slender-billed Curlew, South Andean Huemul, Southern South American Grassland Birds, Wadden Sea Seals, West African Elephants, Western African Aquatic Mammals
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The CMS, which entered into force in 1983, is the only global and UN-based intergovernmental organization established exclusively for the conservation and management of terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species throughout their range.
Regions:CMS Instruments: -
The CMS Family covers a great diversity of migratory species. The Appendices of CMS include many mammals, including land mammals, marine mammals and bats; birds; fish; reptiles and one insect. Among the instruments, AEWA covers 255 species of birds that are ecologically dependent on wetlands for at least part of their annual cycle. EUROBATS covers 52 species of bat, the Sharks MOU seven species of shark and the IOSEA Marine Turtle MOU six species of marine turtle (as of June 2013).Regions:CMS Instruments:ACAP, ACCOBAMS, AEWA, Aquatic Warbler, ASCOBANS, Atlantic Turtles, Bukhara Deer, CMS, Dugong, EUROBATS, Gorilla Agreement, High Andean Flamingos, IOSEA Marine Turtles, Middle-European Great Bustard, Monk Seal in the Atlantic, Pacific Islands Cetaceans, Raptors (Birds of Prey), Ruddy-headed Goose, Saiga Antelope, Sharks, Siberian Crane, Slender-billed Curlew, South Andean Huemul, Southern South American Grassland Birds, Wadden Sea Seals, West African Elephants, Western African Aquatic Mammals
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In addition to the current 119 Parties to CMS (as of September 2013), a further 33 countries are Member States to instruments (as of June 2013), while many of the 119 are also Parties and signatories to Agreements and MOUs (e.g. France is Party to five of the seven Agreements and signatory to five of the MOUs, and Senegal is Party to one Agreements and a signatory to six MOUs). In many cases joining one of these instruments has been a first step to join the mother Convention.
Regions:CMS Instruments:ACAP, ACCOBAMS, AEWA, Aquatic Warbler, ASCOBANS, Atlantic Turtles, Bukhara Deer, CMS, Dugong, EUROBATS, Gorilla Agreement, High Andean Flamingos, IOSEA Marine Turtles, Middle-European Great Bustard, Monk Seal in the Atlantic, Pacific Islands Cetaceans, Raptors (Birds of Prey), Ruddy-headed Goose, Saiga Antelope, Sharks, Siberian Crane, Slender-billed Curlew, South Andean Huemul, Southern South American Grassland Birds, Wadden Sea Seals, West African Elephants, Western African Aquatic Mammals -
Within a CMS Family instrument, functions are generally split among a number of bodies. These bodies can be broadly classified as (1) Secretariats or Coordinating Units (administrative); (2) decision-making bodies (COP/MOP/MOS) and the subsidiary bodies (usually called the Standing Committee) providing guidance between the meetings of decision-making bodies and (3) scientific and technical advice (e.g. Scientific Council).
Regions:CMS Instruments:ACAP, ACCOBAMS, AEWA, Aquatic Warbler, ASCOBANS, Atlantic Turtles, Bukhara Deer, CMS, Dugong, EUROBATS, Gorilla Agreement, High Andean Flamingos, IOSEA Marine Turtles, Middle-European Great Bustard, Monk Seal in the Atlantic, Pacific Islands Cetaceans, Raptors (Birds of Prey), Ruddy-headed Goose, Saiga Antelope, Sharks, Siberian Crane, Slender-billed Curlew, South Andean Huemul, Southern South American Grassland Birds, Wadden Sea Seals, West African Elephants, Western African Aquatic Mammals