that some guidance has already been developed by CMS, consideration of further guidance specific to migratory waterbirds would be valuable. gives particular opportunities for joint working with those responsible for implementation of related MEAs in particular CBD, Ramsar and the CMS Action Plan for the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Landbirds. Target 3 By 2020, at the latest, incentives, including subsidies, harmful to biodiversity are eliminated, phased out or reformed, in order to minimise or avoid negative impacts, and positive incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity are Relevance of Target for AEWA: Indirectly relevant to AEWA via impacts on habitats and species. TC assessment of needs: Best delivered through national and international actions and the activity of other MEAs and international processes that influence
sustainably, legally and applying approaches, so that overfishing is avoided, recovery plans and measures are in place for all depleted species, fisheries have no significant adverse impacts on threatened species and vulnerable ecosystems and the impacts of fisheries on stocks, species and ecosystems are within safe ecological limits. negative impacts from fisheries is central to AEWA’s objectives with respect of both marine and freshwater birds. Issues include bycatch of waterbirds, impacts on bird populations, depletion of fish stocks (including shell-fisheries), and habitat destruction or degradation arising from destructive fishing techniques such as bottom-trawling. TC assessment of needs: The issues of eliminating bycatch from fisheries and of sustaining fish stocks are of major importance. For migratory seabirds in particular, the Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) provide a mechanism for AEWA Parties to promote best practice standards to that end. Similarly, these issues are also relevant to freshwater fisheries (some of which are
MOP7 National Reports note significant activity by many Parties but also the of relevant legislation by some Parties. Target 10 By 2015, the multiple anthropogenic pressures on coral reefs, and other vulnerable ecosystems impacted by climate change or ocean acidification are minimized, so as to maintain their integrity and functioning. Relevance of Target for AEWA: Highly relevant. The need to put in place climate change adaption measures related to the waterbird habitats (especially but not restricted to wetlands) is central to AEWA’s objectives. TC assessment of needs: MOP7 National Reports indicate that only a small number of Parties, less than a quarter, have yet taken actions to adapt to climate change impacts on waterbirds, either through systematic assessment of vulnerability of key habitats, site networks or species, and consequent review of relevant national conservation
conservation status, particularly of those most in decline, has been improved and sustained. extinctions and to reverse declines is central to AEWA’s objectives and the continued declining status of many species means the issue is of high priority. TC assessment of needs: As by the overall status of AEWA-listed populations (document AEWA/MOP 7.14 Corr.1) and continuing declines in parts of the Agreement area, much higher priority needs to be given by Parties to the conservation of threatened species, notably, but not restricted to the full implementation of relevant Species Action Plans. Full legal protection needs to be given to all relevant species listed in Column A of AEWA’s Action Plan with action taken to address illegal killing and/or illegal taking. As necessary, national legislation on hunting and
trade needs to be developed, implemented and enforced. Target 13 By 2020, the genetic diversity of cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and of wild relatives, including other as well as culturally valuable species, is maintained, and strategies have been developed and implemented for minimising genetic erosion and safeguarding their genetic diversity. Relevance of Target for AEWA: Only indirectly relevant to AEWA’s objectives, although there are potentially issues related to hybridisation between wild and domestic-bred waterbirds. TC assessment of needs: Little that AEWA can directly contribute to this Target. Strategic Goal D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services Target 14 By 2020, ecosystems that provide essential services, including Relevance of Target for AEWA: Highly relevant. The need to ensure
services related to water, and contribute to health, livelihoods and well-being, are restored and safeguarded, taking into account the needs of women, indigenous and local communities, and the poor and vulnerable. that important habitats for waterbirds are subject to wise and multifunctional use is central to AEWA’s objectives and will best ensure long-term survival in the face of multiple pressures. The restoration of degraded habitats is particularly important to reverse past losses. It is critical to involve local populations in wetland protection and management not just in the context of biodiversity conservation but with respect to livelihood needs. This issue is particularly, but by no means exclusively, relevant in Africa (where the issue is a focus of the AEWA Plan of Action for Africa). TC assessment of needs: Especially, with ever growing water resource demand, more attention needs to be given to ensuring that
Migratory Landbirds. Target 15 By 2020, ecosystem resilience and the contribution of biodiversity to carbon stocks has been enhanced, through conservation and restoration, including restoration of at least 15 per cent of degraded ecosystems, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation and to combating desertification. Relevance of Target for AEWA: Highly relevant. The restoration of degraded wetland and other ecosystems will directly benefit waterbird populations and thus significantly contribute to AEWA’s objectives. Given the importance of some wetlands (notably peatlands and inter-tidal mudflats and mangrove swamps) as both carbon stores and as bird habitats, restoration of these areas will have major benefits for migratory waterbirds. TC assessment of needs: Parties should give particular attention to the restoration of peatlands and coastal wetlands (including mangroves) in particular, as habitats of particular importance for
migratory waterbirds. In the latter context, BirdLife International’s Caring for Coasts Initiative may provide opportunities. The issue provides a significant opportunity to work with both the Ramsar Convention and the CMS Action Plan for the conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Landbirds. Target 16 By 2015, the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from Utilization is in force and operational, consistent with national legislation. Relevance of Target for AEWA: Only indirectly relevant to AEWA’s objectives. TC assessment of needs: Little that AEWA can directly contribute to this Target. Strategic Goal E: Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge
implementation of AEWA, synergies should always be sought with the implementation of other MEA obligations – as already stressed in the context of Ramsar by Resolution 5.19. Target 18 By 2020, the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and their customary use of biological resources, are respected, subject to national legislation and relevant international obligations, and fully integrated and reflected in the implementation of the Convention with the full and effective participation of indigenous and local Relevance of Target for AEWA: Very relevant. Traditional knowledge of waterbirds is important in many parts of the Agreement area with respect to the use and management of migratory waterbirds which – where relevant - always needs to involve local communities. TC assessment of needs: A better understanding of the traditional knowledge, practices of indigenous and local communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of
communities, at all relevant levels. waterbirds is needed. Target 19 By 2020, knowledge, the science base and technologies relating to biodiversity, its values, functioning, status and trends, and the consequences of its loss, are improved, widely shared and transferred, and applied. Relevance of Target for AEWA: Highly relevant. Knowledge of the status and trends of waterbird populations, factors affecting these, and their habitat requirements are fundamental to the implementation of the Agreement. TC assessment of needs: Needs significantly more attention from Parties especially with respect of the following issues: ensuring that the Waterbird Census (as the primary means by which AEWA undertakes status is adequately, and
Adoption of Guidelines on reducing crop damage, damage to fisheries, bird strikes and other forms of conflict between waterbirds and human activities Adopt and implement relevant actions from AEWA’s Plan of Action for Africa 2019-2027 Continued annual organisational support provided for World Migratory Bird Day and other communications and awareness raising activities Target 2 By 2020, at the latest, biodiversity values have been integrated into national and local development and poverty reduction strategies and planning processes and are being incorporated into national accounting, as appropriate, and reporting systems. Implemented relevant actions from AEWA’s Plan of Action for Africa Implement Targets for Strategic Plan Objective 3 and 4: 3.4 The need to maintain the importance and integrity of AEWA flyway network is taken into account in planning and processes in all Contracting Parties. 4.3 National habitat conservation and management priorities have been identified and integrated into relevant sectoral policies of at least two-thirds of Contracting Parties. Implement relevant actions from AEWA’s Plan of Action for Africa 2019-2027 Contracting Parties to develop national implementation working groups, in cooperation with relevant implementation of other multi-lateral environmental agreements such as the Ramsar Convention: Resolution 5.19 Encouragement of Further Joint
Adoption of Guidelines on sustainable harvest of migratory waterbirds Adoption of Guidelines on how to avoid, minimise or mitigate impact of infrastructural developments and related disturbance affecting waterbirds Adoption of Guidelines on the development of ecotourism at wetlands Adoption of Guidelines on regulating trade in migratory waterbirds Adoption of Guidelines on the management of key sites for migratory waterbirds Strategic Plan agreed (2008) with relevant objectives: Objective 2: To ensure that any use of waterbirds in the Agreement area is sustainable Adoption of revised Guidelines on regulating trade in migratory waterbirds Adoption of Guidelines on national legislation for the protection of species of migratory waterbirds and their habitats (updating and fabalis based on adaptive management principles; Establish and operationalise the European Goose Management Platform 71 AEWA Parties that are Parties to CMS adopted Resolution 11.15 on Preventing poisoning of migratory addressing, inter alia, the need to prevent waterbird poisoning by agricultural chemicals, poison baits; and the use of toxic lead shot and fishing weights; Lead gunshot fully phased out in wetlands in 23 Parties (as indicated in National Reports to MOP7) waterbirds in at least three-quarters of Contracting Parties. 2.4 Adaptive harvest management regimes are in place and being effectively implemented at flyway level in the framework of Species Action or Management Plans for all prioritised declining quarry populations and ‘conflict’ species. Parties should: Evaluate the effectiveness of national measures already taken to phase out the use of lead shot and to phase in non-toxic alternatives in wetlands; and Engage with all relevant stakeholders, inter alia hunters and the manufacturing industry, to and address barriers to implementation; and to establish and joint communication strategies, Where requested, the Secretariat and the Technical Committee will provide support to individual Parties conducting such evaluation and engagement. Implement CMS Resolution 11.15 on Preventing poisoning of migratory birds addressing, inter alia, the need to prevent waterbird poisoning by agricultural chemicals, poison
pollution issues relevant to waterbirds, notably with regards to lead. Implement CMS Resolution 11.15 on Preventing poisoning of migratory birds addressing, inter alia, the need to prevent waterbird poisoning by agricultural chemicals, poison baits; and the use of toxic lead shot and fishing weights. Target 9 By 2020, invasive alien species and pathways are identified and prioritised, priority species are controlled or eradicated, and measures are in place to manage pathways to prevent their introduction and establishment. Adoption of Guidelines on Avoidance of Introductions of non-native Waterbird Species Adoption of Resolution 4.5 Introduced non-native waterbirds in the Agreement area Review on the Status of Introduced Non-native Species of Waterbirds (AEWA/MOP 4.12; 2008) Adoption of Resolution 5.15 Impact of invasive alien aquatic weeds on waterbird habitats in Africa Adoption of revised Guidelines on avoidance of introductions of non-native waterbird species Continued very good progress to eradicate the Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) from the UK. Control measures also undertaken in Belgium and France, planned in Switzerland, but with no implementation of planned controls in Morocco and Sweden. This summary is based on National Reports to MOP6. Eradication of the Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) from the AEWA region, per Resolution 4.5, before 2020 Enhanced activity to control invasive non-native waterbirds, notably Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus) where it is (per Resolution 4.5) Implement Target for Strategic Plan Objective 1: 1.6 AEWA priorities relating to four causes of unnecessary additional mortality and other key threats to migratory waterbirds and their habitats are integrated in key multilateral processes. Target 10
By 2015, the multiple anthropogenic pressures on reefs, and other vulnerable ecosystems impacted by climate change or ocean acidification are minimized, so as to maintain their integrity and functioning. Adoption of Resolution 3.17 Climate change and migratory waterbirds Adoption of Resolution 5.13 Climate Change Adaptation Measures for Waterbirds and Resolution 6.6 Updated advice on climate change adaptation measures for waterbirds Limited progress to start to assess analyses of habitat and species vulnerability develop adaptation programmes accordingly. Implement Resolution 6.6 Updated advice on climate change adaptation measures for waterbirds Strategic Goal C: To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity Target 11 By 2020, at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes. Action Plan urges establishment of site networks to protect important wetland habitats Adoption of Guidelines on the management of key sites for migratory waterbirds Adoption of Guidelines on the preparation of site inventories for migratory waterbirds Report on the Site Network for Waterbirds in the Agreement Area (document AEWA/MOP 5.15) MOP7 National Reports report a total of 129,707 nationally important sites (covering 30.53 million ha) for migratory waterbirds, of which all are legally protected. Of legally protected sites, 3.5% have management plans in place. MOP7 National Reports report a total of 1,464 internationally important sites (covering 36.83 million ha) for migratory waterbirds of which 1,274 are legally protected and of them 56% have management plans in place. Implement Targets for Strategic Plan Objective 3: 3.1 Known sites of national or international importance44 for populations listed in Table 1 of the AEWA Action Plan have been reviewed confirmed (in conformity with Paragraph 3.1.2 of the Action Plan) and at least three-quarters of the priority site gaps are filled in the case of Contracting Parties. 3.3 At two-thirds of all flyway network sites are actively protected and actively managed, focusing in particular on internationally important sites and those in transboundary areas. 3.4 The need to maintain the importance and integrity of AEWA flyway network sites is taken into account in planning and
processes in all Contracting Parties. All Parties should address site management issues and which sites to prioritise for designation, including consideration of the tentative conclusions and recommendations of the preliminary report on the Site Network in the Agreement Area. CSN Tool and Flyway Training Kit need to be used Target 12 By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species has been prevented and their conservation status, particularly of those most in decline, has been improved and sustained. {Actions for Target 12 are also relevant to Targets 3 and 4} Strategic Plan agreed (2008) with the over-arching goal: To maintain or restore migratory waterbird species and their populations at a favourable conservation status throughout their flyways Objective 1: To undertake conservation measures so as to improve or maintain conservation status of waterbird species and populations Adoption of Guidelines on the preparation of National Single Species Action Plans for migratory waterbirds Single Species Action Plans developed for 15 species and Adoption of Guidelines for the translocation of waterbirds for conservation purposes: complementing the IUCN guidelines At MOP 6, SSAPs adopted for Shoebill Balaeniceps rex, Grey Crowned-crane Balearica regulorum, Taiga Bean Goose Anser f. fabalis, Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata and Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita (revision of 2005 ISSAP). International multi-species Action Plan for Benguela Upwelling System Coastal Seabirds adopted. Implement Targets for Strategic Plan Objectives 1 and 2: 1.2 All priority species/populations are covered by effectively implemented Species Action Plans at flyway level. 1.3 For all other populations in unfavourable conservation status, science-based conservation and management guidance is made available by AEWA and/or its Partners and is applied by Parties and other stakeholders. 2.4 Adaptive harvest management regimes are in place and being effectively implemented at flyway level in the framework of Species Action or Management Plans for
cent of ODA/GNI to least developed countries; ODA providers are encouraged to consider setting a target to provide at least 0.20 per cent of ODA/GNI to least developed countries 17.3 Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources Objective 5.6 of the Strategic Plan 2019-2027 is relevant 17.6 Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, in particular at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism Objective 5.1 of the Strategic Plan 2019-2027 is relevant 17.8 Fully operationalize the technology bank and science, technology and innovation capacity-building mechanism for least developed countries by 2017 and enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology Objective 1.4, 1.5 and 3.2 of the Strategic Plan 2019-2027 is relevant Capacity-building 17.9 Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries to support national to implement all the sustainable development goals, including through North-South, and triangular cooperation Direct National development of capacity and expertise within developing countries for waterbird and wetland conservation will also contribute to wider attainment of SDGs. This is addressed in Article III.2i (General Conservation Measures) and paras 6.1 & 6.2 of the Action Plan Objectives 1.4, 1.5, 5.2 and 5.3 of the Strategic Plan 2019-2027 are relevant Systemic issues Multi-stakeholder partnerships 17.16 Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries Indirect Multi-stakeholder partnerships, for example as involved in waterbird monitoring are crucial to waterbird conservation 17.17 Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships Direct Effective implementation of AEWA critically depends on the development and nurturing of such partnerships