CONVENTION ON MIGRATORY SPECIES - REDUCING THE RISK OF VESSEL STRIKES FOR MARINE MEGAFAUNA

CONVENTION ON UNEP/CMS/Resolution 14.5 MIGRATORY Original: English SPECIES REDUCING THE RISK OF VESSEL STRIKES FOR MARINE MEGAFAUNA Adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its 14th Meeting (Samarkand, February 2024) Recalling Article III(4) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), which implies that “Parties that are Range States of a migratory species. [...] COP12) Global Programme of Work for Cetaceans addressed ship strikes as a threat to cetaceans and that it called upon Parties to facilitate the development of thematic Resolutions addressing priority threats for COP13 and COP14, Recognizing the significant increase in vessel traffic in recent years, which has led to a corresponding increase in the risk of vessel strikes to CMS-listed marine megafa. [...] Requests Parties to review and update their national laws, regulations and policies related to the conservation of marine megafauna and the reduction of vessel strikes, as necessary, to ensure their effectiveness and alignment with this resolution; 7. [...] Strongly encourages Parties to cooperate with each other, relevant organizations, and stakeholders to promote and support the implementation of measures to reduce the risk of vessel strikes to marine megafauna, including sharing information on best practices and lessons learned, collaborating on research and monitoring of marine megafauna and vessel strikes, and promoting international cooperation. [...] Increase awareness of this issue with the shipping sector and the public Successful mitigation of vessel strikes on Whale Sharks will require the collaboration of stakeholders from industry, government and the conservation sector.