Marine animals cross oceans and borders, making protection difficult – but a new migration map could help close the gaps
Leatherback turtles swimming tens of thousands of kilometres from Indonesia to Oregon, and Arctic terns traversing the planet from pole to pole.
These migratory creatures, and others like them, pose a unique headache for conservationists: how to align protection policies across the globe. Now scientists in Australia have unveiled a first-of-its-kind global migration map, which could prove a vital asset.
The online map was developed by researchers from the University of Queensland’s (UQ) Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science.
They reviewed more than 1,000 studies on the movements of migratory species to create a freely accessible tool known as MiCO, or Migratory Connectivity in the Ocean.
“Covering 109 species including birds, mammals, turtles and fish, MiCO brings together thousands of records from more than 1,300 sources to map how marine animals traverse the world’s oceans,” said the UQ’s Dr Lily Bentley. “The tool connects almost 2,000 crucial habitats and spotlights the importance of cross-boundary cooperation.”
Research by the United Nations reveals almost half of the planet’s migratory animal populations are in decline. Meanwhile, disjointed policy means that animals protected in the waters of one nation might be hunted off the coast of another when they travel to feed and breed. The UQ team found, for example, that 91% of migratory birds are inadequately protected across their life cycles.
The tool connects almost 2,000 crucial habitats and spotlights the importance of cross-boundary cooperation
While MiCO is far from comprehensive – for now – Dr Bentley said it had shone a light on critical areas, and revealed a network of intricate ocean connections that transcend political boundaries.
The hope now is that the model can be used to inform joined-up conservation policies such as the High Seas Treaty and 30 x 30, a global initiative backed by more than 120 nations to safeguard 30% of Earth’s oceans and land by 2030.
Main image: Every year, Arctic terns migrate from the Arctic Circle to the Antarctic Circle. Credit: Yongyuan Dai
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