2025/019: Illegal and Unsustainable Taking of Species: Request for Examples of Measures

CMS COP14 adopted a Resolution as well as numerous decisions regarding the illegal and unsustainable taking of migratory species.

Decision 14.185 b) calls on the Secretariat to, subject to the availability of external resources, undertake an analysis, inter alia, on “iii. measures used by Parties, non-Parties and relevant international and regional organizations such as CITES and RFMOs aimed at ensuring that taking of wildlife is legal and sustainable, with a view to identifying case studies of effective practices”.

The CMS Secretariat is pleased to invite submissions of such measures used by Parties, focusing on:  

CMS Appendix I Species: Examples of measures that States have successfully implemented to reduce illegal taking, e.g., related to penalties, enforcement, use of technology, community engagement, focus on point of domestic sale or trade, outreach and education and other means; and

CMS Appendix II Species: Examples of measures that States have successfully implemented to reduce illegal and/or unsustainable taking, including the above types of measures for Appendix I species as well as permitting programs, population estimates and conservation management.

See Annex I for guidance on the format of these examples.

CMS Parties are kindly requested to provide examples of measures in the format described in the Annex by 15 August 2025.

This information will support the Secretariat work under Decision 14.185 b) as well as the work of the Scientific Council Working Group on Illegal and Unsustainable Taking of Species.

For further information, please contact: Tanya Rosen, Coordinator, Global Initiative on Illegal and Unsustainable Taking of Species, CMS Secretariat, email: [email protected]