Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)

This week, the 8th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles in Marathon, Greece, provided an opportunity to connect international policy with marine turtle conservation work across the region. The conference was organised by ARCHELON under the auspices of the Hellenic Republic’s Ministry of Tourism, its Ministry of Environment and Energy, and CMS. 🐢🌊

At the conference, CMS delivered opening remarks and a plenary presentation on how international commitments can support conservation in practice.

The presentation brought researchers and conservation practitioners up to date on governments’ commitments under CMS, including outcomes of #CMSCOP15. It also highlighted guidance from CMS and the IOSEA Marine Turtle MOU on reducing accidental capture in fisheries, managing nesting beaches and assessing the impacts of coastal and marine development.

Understanding these commitments can help conservationists engage with authorities on safeguarding measures and strengthen applications for research permits and funding. Making practical guidance accessible also supports their work to address the pressures turtles face throughout their lives.

Learn more about the conference: medturtleconf.gr

#medturtleconf #8medturt

Climate action has an ally in the ocean: the humpback whale. 🐋

Humpback whales store carbon in their bodies. When their carcasses sink, they can carry that carbon into the deep ocean. Their movements and nutrient-rich droppings also help cycle nutrients, which can stimulate the growth of phytoplankton that absorb carbon dioxide.

But this migratory species faces pressures of its own. Rising ocean temperatures can reduce food availability, affecting humpback whale abundance and breeding success. Bycatch, pollution and disturbance from human activities add to those pressures.

Safeguarding whales helps sustain the natural processes that support ocean ecosystems and climate mitigation. At @UNFCCC #COP31, conserving migratory species must be part of climate policies and action.

Explore the CMS #MigratorySpecies and #ClimateChange report: cms.int/publication/cl…

#COP31Antalya #COP31Turkiye

Protecting marine turtles throughout their life cycle means safeguarding nesting beaches, feeding grounds and migration routes across borders. 🐢

At #CMSCOP15, Parties recognised Important Marine Turtle Areas (IMTAs) as a tool to guide decisions on protected areas, fisheries measures and marine spatial planning.

Experts are now assessing potential IMTAs in the Mediterranean through the first @IUCNssc-led regional workshop. This marks the formal start of a global effort to identify and map these areas, drawing on scientific data, expertise and local knowledge.

Read more: iucn.org/news/202611/ex…

Every conservation success story begins with people taking action! 🐢🌊

For the final #TurtleTuesday of our IOSEA MOU 25th anniversary campaign, we meet local communities, young conservationists and fishers whose actions are helping create safer seas for marine turtles and the people who share their habitats.

As our anniversary series comes to a close, we thank every contributor who shared their work and everyone taking action for marine turtles across the region.

Explore these final stories and the complete #IOSEAturtles25 anniversary collection: iosea-turtles.cms.int/25th-anniversa…

Safeguarding migratory species starts with understanding them and their journeys: their habits, where they travel, the habitats they depend on and the threats they face along the way. 👩‍🔬🦈

Scientific cooperation across borders helps build that knowledge. At CMS, Parties proposing species for listing on the CMS Appendices must base their proposals on the best available scientific evidence. The Scientific Council provides expert advice to inform these and other conservation decisions.

Science also underpins the State of the World’s Migratory Species reports, migration atlases, species action plans and guidance on reducing threats such as bycatch, pollution and barriers to migration.

This #WorldScienceDay, we highlight how sharing and applying scientific knowledge helps countries work together to protect migratory wildlife, sustain healthy ecosystems and build a more sustainable future. 👐🌱

#ScienceDay