Study: Conservation Priorities for Shark and Ray Species included and proposed for inclusion in Annex 1 to the CMS Sharks MOU

The Sharks MOU has defined general objectives for the conservation and management of species and populations listed in Annex 1 of the MOU, which are further detailed in a global Conservation Plan for migratory Sharks (Annex 3 to the MOU). Current activities in the Conservation Plan, however, require further specification on a species or/and population level in order to address their varying conservation and management needs.
 
Seven species of sharks have already been included in Annex 1, and the 2nd Meeting of Signatories (MOS2) will consider 22 additional species of sharks and rays for listing. 
 
Objective
 
This study will identify priorities for conservation for species or species groups listed and proposed for listing in Annex 1 of the CMS Sharks MOU based on the MOUs Conservation Plan and objectives in a comprehensive desk study, including recommendations on priority measures for their conservation. 
 
The document will be presented to the Advisory Committee and will inform the development of a Programme of Work for the triennium 2016-2018.
 
More specifically, the study will take into account the objectives of the Sharks MOU as well as existing global, regional and the most relevant national conservation plans, action plans and strategies for sharks. It will consider existing legal measures and their implementation by relevant organizations, including FAO, Regional
Seas Conventions, CITES and RFMOs and identify potential gaps related to the implementation of obligations and measures under CMS and the CMS Sharks MOU.
 
 
Outputs: 
 
This study will be used to inform the Advisory Committee about priority measures for the conservation of species listed in Annex 1 of the MOU, including those being proposed for inclusion in Annex 1. In addition, it will make recommendations for fields of cooperation with  relevant organizations, including FAO, Regional Seas Conventions, CITES and RFMOs.
 
At the 2nd Meeting of the Signatories (MOS2) to the CMS Sharks MOU,  the Advisory Committee will present the outputs of this study to inform and advise the Signatories on priority conservation measures for sharks. 
The Conservation Status of Migratory Sharks
Region:
Africa
Asia
Europe
North America
Oceania
South & Central America & The Caribbean
Atlantic Ocean
Eastern Atlantic
Indian Ocean
North Pacific
South Pacific
South-East Asia
South-West Asia
South-Western Atlantic
West Africa
Western Pacific
Group:
Instrument:
Threats: Unsustainable fishing and harvesting aquatic resources, Bycatch, Illegal trade, Climate Change, Ecological interactions and habitat change