Joint meeting of the CMS Intergovernmental Task Force to Address Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and the EAAFP Task Force on Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Waterbirds

Bluethroat in mist nest © Bird Conservation Society of Thailand

Background 

Following concerns of the continued and intensified illegal hunting, taking, and trade of migratory birds leading to significant population declines, the CMS Parties responded by enhancing focus on practical responses and cooperative frameworks for preventing and prosecuting further these illegal activities, which cause unsustainable levels of exploitation. Building on existing regional efforts for addressing the illegal hunting, taking, and trade of migratory birds, decisions¹ were made at the 12th and the 13th meetings of the Conference of the Parties to CMS, held in Manila in 2017 (COP12), and in Gandhinagar, India, in 2020 (COP13), to establish the Intergovernmental Task Force to Address Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds in the EAAF through the nomination of representatives from all EAAFP Range States and encourage Parties, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to support coordination and engagement with the Task Force.  

The main goal of the Task Force is to ensure that no illegal hunting, taking and trade of migratory birds takes place in the EAAF. The new Task Force complements the existing Task Force of the EAAFP focused on waterbirds. The new CMS Task Force extends to other migratory birds, such as landbirds and raptors, and the two entities will work closely together to enhance synergies and promote efficient and effective collaboration.  

The Task Force will support government agencies to facilitate cooperation between stakeholders, provide a platform for partners to work together to exchange experience and knowledge, as well as offer guidance and tools to address this challenge. It will promote progress towards regular monitoring and reporting of and enforcement against illegal taking of wild birds, and facilitate development and implementation of relevant guidance materials. The Task Force is envisaged to be modelled on similar existing initiatives, particularly the CMS Intergovernmental Task Force to Address Illegal Killing, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds in the Mediterranean (MIKT)².  

Objectives of the meeting 

The meeting will provide an opportunity for all members to discuss the main objectives of the Task Force, along with the priorities of the Range States, and then subsequently develop a work programme that will guide the activities of the Task Force. Presentation of findings from a situation analysis by BirdLife International will be one input provided for discussion. Inputs of Task Force members on the programme of work will be compiled and aim to be formally approved before the end of 2023.  

Additional objectives of this meeting are agreeing on a Modus Operandi for the Task Force, discussing next steps in the collaboration of both Task Forces and agreeing on joint opportunities for communication, capacity building, and fundraising. 

1: See CMS Resolution 11.16 (Rev.COP13) The Prevention of Illegal Killing, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds: https://www.cms.int/en/document/prevention-illegal-killing-taking-and-trade-migratory-birds-7; and CMS Decisions 13.32 and 13.33 - Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds in the East-Asian Australasian Flyway: https://www.cms.int/en/page/decisions-1332-1333-illegal-hunting-taking-and-trade-migratory-birds-east-asian-australasian

2: https://www.cms.int/en/taskforce/mikt