A cross-border conservation agreement signed by 126 countries will offer extra protection to migratory species including lions, chimpanzees and blue sharks
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) met in Manila in October and brokered an agreement between world governments, committing them to protecting listed migratory species from being killed, hunted or fished – and to protect their habitats.
The agreement was described by the CMS as a “game changer” and has been welcomed by conservation groups. “This puts pressure on countries to commit to vital international protection,” said Matthew Collis, director of international policy at the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
This puts pressure on countries to commit to vital international protection
The agreement is thought to be particularly good news for the blue shark, which is the most fished shark in the world; an estimated 20m are taken from the oceans every year. Lions and leopards, whose numbers are dwindling, are also likely to benefit from the deal.
“Lack of cooperation has been a weakness of previous arrangements, allowing lion numbers in Africa to dwindle by 40 per cent over the past two decades to just 20,000 today,” said Collis.
“Increased protection for these land animals is really positive news.”
