Convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals — Bonn Convention

SUMMARY OF:

Convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals

Decision 82/461/EEC — conclusion of the convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE CONVENTION AND OF THE DECISION?

The objective of the Bonn Convention is the conservation of migratory species* of wild animals worldwide. Wild animals require special attention because of their importance from the environmental, ecological, genetic, scientific, recreational, cultural, educational, social and economic points of view. Conservation of migratory species particularly requires international cooperation to ensure protection across their full range*.
The decision concludes the convention on behalf of the EEC (now the EU).

KEY POINTS

The parties to the convention acknowledge the importance of conserving migratory species, and the need to pay special attention to species whose conservation status* is unfavourable.
To avoid any migratory species becoming endangered*, the parties must aim to:
- promote, cooperate in or support research relating to migratory species; and
- conclude agreements covering the conservation and management of migratory species listed in Appendix II.
To protect endangered migratory species, the parties to the convention will aim to:
- provide immediate protection for migratory species included in Appendix I;
- conserve or restore the habitats of endangered species;
- prevent, remove, compensate for or minimise the adverse effects of activities or obstacles that impede the migration of the species; and
- prevent, reduce or control factors that are endangering or are likely to further endanger the species, as far as feasible and appropriate.
Range countries of migratory species must prohibit the taking of animals belonging to species listed in Appendix I, with certain exceptions, such as taking for scientific purposes, or to enhance the breeding or survival of the species. These exceptions must be precise as to content and limited in place and time, and should not operate to the disadvantage of the species.
The conservation and management of the species listed in Appendix II may require international agreements.
Guidelines for agreements:
- restore or maintain the migratory species concerned;
- cover the whole of the range of the migratory species concerned;
- be open to accession by all range countries, whether or not they are parties to the Convention;
- where feasible, concern several species.
Each agreement must contain the following information:
- the name of the migratory species concerned;
- its range and migration route;
- measures for implementing the agreement;
- procedures for the settlement of disputes;
- designation of the authority concerned with the implementation of the agreement.
Agreements may also provide for:
- research into the species;
- the exchange of information on the migratory species;
- the restoration or maintenance of a network of suitable habitats for the conservation of the species;
- periodic review of the conservation status of the species;
- emergency procedures whereby conservation action would be rapidly strengthened.
A different type of agreements are those under Article IV (4) of the Convention. These are not restricted to species listed in Appendix II of the Convention, and may be concluded for any population or any geographically separate part of the population of any species or lower taxon of wild animals, whose members periodically cross one or more national jurisdictional boundaries.
The Conference of the Parties is the decision-making body of the convention. It reviews the implementation of the convention and can adopt recommendations.
The convention, and its Appendices I and II, can be amended.
Any dispute between parties to the convention must be settled by negotiation between the parties involved. If the dispute cannot be resolved by negotiation, it may be submitted to arbitration, in particular that of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague, whose decision will be binding on the parties.

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

The Bonn Convention was signed in 1979 and entered into force on 1 November 1983.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

Global biodiversity (European Commission)
CMS (Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals).

KEY TERMS

Migratory species: the entire population or any geographically separate part of the population of any species or lower taxon of wild animals a significant proportion of whose members cyclically and predictably cross one or more national jurisdictional boundaries.

Range: areas of land or water that a migratory species inhabits, crosses or overflies on its migration route.

Conservation status of a migratory species: the sum of the influences acting on the migratory species that may affect its long-term distribution and abundance.

Endangered: the migratory species is in danger of extinction throughout all or part of the territory of a country.

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals (OJ L 210, 19.7.1982, pp. 11-22)

Council Decision 82/461/EEC of 24 June 1982 on the conclusion of the Convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals (OJ L 210, 19.7.1982, p. 10)