CALL FOR FUNDING, A HOST, ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKING GROUP, AND INFORMATION TO COMPLETE ANNEXES III IAND IV

This Notification relates to CMS Decisions 14.101 – 14.105 Single Species Action Plan for the Angelshark (Squatina squatina) in the Mediterranean Sea (full decision text provided below).

1. In accordance with Decision 14.101 b), Parties that are Range States to S. squatina are requested to “provide relevant information and materials to update Annex III of the SSAP Angelshark Med Legislation relevant to the conservation of Angelshark (Squatina squatina), and to develop Annex IV, Tools and Guidelines to Support Implementation of the SSAP”.

Contributions are requested by 10 June 2024 and should be emailed to the CMS Secretariat:  [email protected].

2. In accordance with Decision 14.101 c) Parties that are Range States to S. squatina are requested to “establish a governance structure, including a Working Group of Range States, as required, to support and monitor implementation and to facilitate cooperation and communication among Range States”.  The Secretariat was instructed through Decision 14.105 to “assist Range States in the establishment of a governance structure and monitoring system and provide a platform for communication upon request and subject to the availability of resources.”

Therefore, Parties that are Range States to S. squatina in the Mediterranean Sea region are requested to nominate one national focal point and one technical expert to represent their country in the International Working Group by 10 June 2024, using the nomination Form in the Annex to this Notification. 

Nominations should be emailed to the CMS Secretariat: [email protected] .

3. To establish a governance structure to support and monitor implementation of the SSAP Angelshark Med and to facilitate cooperation and communication among Range States, the Secretariat suggests holding a meeting of Range States during the third or fourth quarter of 2024 in accordance with Decisions 14.105 b) - d). ­­­­

To this end the Secretariat is seeking financial support and a host for the meeting. Party Range States who may provide support and host an in-person meeting of the International Working Group are kindly requested to communicate their offer to the Secretariat ([email protected]) via email by 10 June 2024.

For further information please consult: [email protected]

CMS Decisions 14.101 – 14.105 Single Species Action Plan for the Angelshark (Squatina squatina) in the Mediterranean Sea:

14.101 Directed Parties

Parties that are Range States to the species are requested to: 

a) undertake, to the extent possible, those actions of the Single Species Action Plan for the Angelshark (Squatina squatina) in the Mediterranean Sea (SSAP Angelshark Med) specified for immediate and short-term implementation and for delivery within three years as a matter of priority, continue ongoing and medium-term activities, and start implementation of long-term activities within five years; 

b) provide relevant information and materials to update Annex III of the SSAP Angelshark Med Legislation relevant to the conservation of Angelshark (Squatina squatina), and to develop Annex IV, Tools and Guidelines to Support Implementation of the SSAP;  

c) establish a governance structure, including a Working Group of Range States, as required, to support and monitor implementation and to facilitate cooperation and communication among Range States; 

d) consider establishing additional national Working Groups, as required, to ensure active collaboration between stakeholders within each Range State to maximize the effective use of resources and expertise; 

e) provide a brief report on the implementation of the SSAP Angelshark Med in time for the last meeting of the Sessional Committee before the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) using a template provided by the Secretariat; 

f) review information provided by Range States on the implementation of the SSAP Angelshark Med and prepare a brief summary and analysis; 

g) make recommendations on the further implementation of the SSAP Angelshark Med to COP15; and 

h) encourage non-Party Range States to adopt the SSAP Angelshark Med for their use.

14.102 Directed to non-Party Range States

Non-Party Range States are requested to engage with Party Range States in the implementation of activities outlined in the SSAP Angelshark Med.

14.103 Directed to intergovernmental organizations

Intergovernmental organizations, in particular the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks and its Advisory Committee, are encouraged to continue to engage with the implementation of activities outlined in the SSAP Angelshark Med.

14.104 Directed to non-governmental organizations and experts

Non-governmental organizations, the Angel Shark Conservation Network (ASCN) and other experts are encouraged to provide technical support to Range States for the implementation of the Action Plan and the development of Annex IV, Tools and Guidelines to Support Implementation of the SSAP.

14.105 Directed to the Secretariat

The Secretariat shall: 

a) encourage non-Party Range States to adopt the SSAP Angelshark Med; 

b) assist Range States in the establishment of a governance structure and monitoring system and provide a platform for communication upon request and subject to the availability of resources;

c) develop a simple reporting form, in collaboration with the Range States Working Group, to enable assessment of progress in the implementation of the SSAP Angelshark Med, and disseminate this to Range States to facilitate reporting in advance of COP15; and 

d) convene, subject to the availability of external resources, a meeting of Range States to stimulate implementation of priority actions and facilitate coordination across the region.