The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
CMS is an environmental treaty of the United Nations.
CMS serves as an intergovernmental platform to bring Range States (nations with jurisdiction over any part of the species range) together to agree internationally coordinated conservation measures throughout the migratory ranges of species listed under CMS. It’s a framework convention with legally binding treaties (Agreements) and Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) for species that cross national boundaries.
Species can be listed on two CMS Appendices:
Appendix I – includes species that are considered endangered throughout all or a significant portion of their range. Parties that are a Range State to Appendix I listed species should endeavour to strictly protect them.
Appendix II – includes migratory species that have an unfavourable conservation status and require international agreements (e.g. MOUs, Action Plans, Species Initiatives). Parties are committed to work towards conservation and management of Appendix II listed species.
SPECIES LISTINGS:
Sharks and rays listed on Appendix I:Oceanic Whitetip Carcharhinus longimanus (2020)
Sand Tiger Shark / Grey Nurse Shark Carcharias taurus (2024)
· Blackchin Guitarfish Mediterranean regional population Glaucostegus cemiculus (2024)
· Bull Ray Mediterranean regional population Pteromylaeus bovinus (2024)
· Lusitanian Cownose Ray Mediterranean regional population Rhinoptera marginata (2024)
· Pelagic Thresher Alopias pelagicus (2026)
· Bigeye Thresher Alopias superciliosus (2026)
· Common Thresher Alopias vulpinus (2026)
· Great Hammerhead Sphyrna mokarran (2026)
· Scalloped hammerhead Sphyrna mokarran (2026)
Sharks and rays listed on both Appendix I and II:
Whale Shark Rhincodon typus (App I in 2017, App II in 1999)
White Shark Carcharodon carcharias (2002)
Basking Shark Cetorhinus maximus (2005)
Sawfishes - Narrow Sawfish Anoxypristis cuspidata (2014), Dwarf Sawfish Pristis clavata (2014), Smalltooth Sawfish Pristis pectinata (2014), Largetooth Sawfish Pristis pristis (2014), Green Sawfish Pristis zijsron (2014)
Mobulas - Giant Manta Ray Manta birostris (2011), Reef Manta Ray Manta alfredi (2014), Pygmy Devil Ray Mobula eregoodootenkee (2014), Atlantic Devil Ray Mobula hypostoma (2014), Spinetail Mobula Mobula japanica (2014), Shortfin Devil Ray Mobula kuhlii (2014), Giant Devil Ray Mobula mobular (2014), Pygmy Devil Ray Mobula munkiana (2014), Lesser Guinean Devil Ray Mobula rochebrunei (2014), Chilean Devil Ray Mobula tarapacana (2014), Bentfin Devil Ray Mobula thurstoni (2014)
Common Guitarfish Rhinobatos rhinobatos (Mediterranean) (2017)
Sharks and rays listed on Appendix II:
Makos - Shortfin Mako Shark Isurus oxyrinchus (2008), Longfin Mako Shark Isurus paucus (2008)
Porbeagle Lamna nasus (2008)
Spiny Dogfish Squalus acanthias (2008)
Silky Shark Carcharhinus falciformis
Common Guitarfish Rhinobatos rhinobatos (2017)
Bottlenose Wedgefish Rhynchobatus australiae (2017)
Dusky Shark Carcharhinus obscurus (2017)
Blue Shark Prionace glauca (2017)
Tope Galeorhinus galeus (2020)
Smooth Hammerhead Sphyrna zygaena (2020)
CMS Sharks MOU
The CMS Sharks MOU aims to maintain and achieve a favourable conservation status for migratory sharks and rays. The MoU is non-binding. It encourages the adoption of Single Species Action Plans which outline key objectives. In pursuing activities described, Signatories should endeavour to cooperate through Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) and other treaties.
The Shark Trust is a Cooperating Partner to the CMS Sharks MOU, which means we support the Signatories, Range States, and the Secretariat in meeting the objectives of the Sharks MOU.
Species can be listed on two CMS MoU Annexes:
All CMS listed species are also listed on the CMS Sharks MOU, with the exception of the Blue Shark.
CONCERTED ACTIONS
CMS Sharks MOU listings can be accompanied by a Concerted Actions document outlining priority conservation measures, projects, or institutional arrangements to improve the conservation status of selected species/groups of species. They either a) involve measures that are the collective responsibility of Parties acting in concert; or b) are designed to support the conclusion of an instrument under Article IV of the Convention and enable conservation measures to be progressed in the meantime, or represent an alternative to such an instrument.
The Concerted Action for Angelsharks provides a framework of activities which reflect those outlined in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Angel Shark Conservation Strategy.
IMPLEMENTATION
CMS Parties are obligated to strictly protect Appendix I listed species and work internationally toward conservation of those listed on Appendix II. Despite this, most CMS Parties continue to fall short in this regard. In addition, there has been inadequate regional progress through fisheries bodies for those sharks and rays listed on Appendix II, leaving many of the listed species with insufficient protection.
Together with our partners, we continue to urge Parties to focus on effective implementation of listings, including existing obligations for the many sharks and rays listed. Overfishing must be directly addressed to secure a future for these vulnerable species.
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