No.

Activities

Mandate^[1]

Priority

ranking^[2]

Time frame ^[3]

Responsible entity ^[4]

Funding

Species Conservation/Habitat Conservation

1.

Provide support to the implementation of CMS Concerted Action Plans as adopted in CMS/Sharks/Outcome 3.8.

The Secretariat, with support from the AC as required, is requested to:

• assist the government of the Philippines with the organization of a regional workshop on the conservation of whale sharks in Southeast Asia.
• assist the Principality of Monaco with the organization of regional workshops on the conservation of the Angelshark, in particular in the Mediterranean region.

MOS3

Outcome 3.8

high

2019-2021

SIG

SEC

CooP

AC

Fundraising

2.

Finalize existing species factsheets and draft species factsheets for species newly listed in Annex 1 of the MOU.

MOS3

Outcome 3.12

high

2019

AC

Budget

3.

Further develop and prioritize suggested areas of action as contained in Outcome 3.12 with options by taxa, region, and other relevant factors.

MOS3

Outcome 3.12

high

2019-2021

AC

Budget

4.

Facilitate communication and support Signatories with the identification of regional and local projects.

CP 1.2

SEC TOR

core

2019-2021

ongoing activity

SEC

AC

Budget

5.

When instructed by Signatories to do so, identify suitable partners for implementation and manage Funding Agreements for conservation projects.

CP 1.2

CP 1.3

SEC TOR

core

2019-2021

SEC

AC

Fundraising

Fisheries Management and data collection (incl. bycatch)

6.

Encourage collation of those data that are relevant to RFMOs and stock assessments (e.g.  fisheries-independent data, historical and traditional data) and promote their dissemination.

CP 2.6

CP 3.2

medium

2019-2021

SIG

Fundraising

7.

Promote research focussing on the identification of species-selective fishing gear and bycatch mitigation measures, with emphasis on those Annex 1 listed species which are known to experience high post release mortality (e.g. sawfish, thresher sharks, hammerhead sharks).

CP 4.5

medium

2019-2021

SIG

CooP

Fundraising

8.

Set up a repository for relevant information to assist managers, including species identification, bycatch mitigation and safe handling, discard survival, and other relevant fisheries management information. Encourage Signatories to provide such information to the Secretariat.

MOS3

medium

2019-2021

AC

SEC

SIG

Budget

9.

Improve, where appropriate, monitoring, implementation and enforcement of relevant spatial management measures.

CP 14.5

medium

2019-2021

SIG

Fundraising

Capacity Building

10.

Implement the Capacity-building Programme for the MOU as adopted in CMS/Sharks/Outcome 3.6 to assist Signatories with the implementation of the Conservation Plan.

CP 1.1

CP 6.2

SEC TOR

MOS3

Outcome 3.6

high

2019-2021

SIG

AC

SEC

CooP

Fundraising

11.

Cooperatewith the CMS Family on matters related to shark conservation:

• Contribute to the implementation of
  • CMS Res. 12.20 on “Management of Marine Debris”;
  • CMS Res. 12.22 on “Bycatch”;
  • CMS Res. 12.23 on “Sustainable Tourism and Migratory Species”;
  • CMS Res. 12.24 on “Promoting Marine Protected Area Networks in the ASEAN Region”;
• Contribute to the preparation of CMS COP13^[5]and other relevant meetings of CMS (ScC^[6], StC^[7]);
• Provide comments on proposals for the inclusion of shark and ray species in the Appendices of CMS to the CMS Scientific Council and Conference of the Parties.

SEC TOR

MOS3

core

2019-2021

SEC

AC

Budget

12.

Strengthen synergies and collaborate with CITES^[8]and FAO^[9]:

• Contribute to the implementation of the CMS-CITES Joint Work Programme 2015-2020 regarding sharks and rays;
• Include activities on sharks and rays in a new CMS-CITES Joint Work Programme with the CITES Secretariat in consultation with Signatories;
• Organize regular meetings (and teleconferences);
• Share best practice;
• Coordinate conservation activities;
• Share knowledge and expertise.

SEC TOR

high

2019-2021

AC

SEC

Budget + Fundraising

13.

Implement the guidance to the Secretariat and the Signatories on their engagement with RFMOs as agreed in CMS/Sharks/Outcome 3.4.

MOS3

Outcome 3.4

high

2019-2021

SIG

SEC

CooP

Budget

14.

Establish partnerships and strengthen collaboration with other relevant international organizations and agreements dealing with shark science, conservation and management.

CP 13.1

CP 14.3

SEC TOR

core

2019-2021

SEC

Budget

15.

Encourage all Range States to join CMS and become Signatories to the MOU.

CP 16.2

high

2019-2021

SIG

SEC

CooP

Budget

16.

Liaise with the IUCN Shark SSG and participate in assessment and conservation planning workshops, where relevant.

CP 13.1

high

2019-2021

AC

CWG

SEC

Budget

Management of the Secretariat

17.

Manage and implement the budget for the MOU.

SEC TOR

core

2019-2021

SEC

Budget

18.

Prepare annual budget implementation reports for the information of the Signatories and project reports to donors.

SEC TOR

core

yearly

SEC

Budget

19.

Inform and raise awareness about the Sharks MOU in accordance with the “Communication and Awareness raising Strategy of the Sharks MOU.

SEC TOR

core

2019-2021

SEC

Consultant

Budget

20.

Prepare publications as required (e.g. domestic legislation, species priorities).

SEC TOR

core

2019-2021

SEC

Budget

21.

Compile information, review data, liaise with stakeholders and provide information to Signatories on the implementation and functioning of the MOU.

SEC TOR

core

2019-2021

SEC

Budget

22.

Facilitate and encourage regular information exchange and cooperative activities between:

• the shark research and conservation community;
• stakeholders in all Range States;
• Focal Points;
• Advisory Committee.

SEC TOR

core

2019-2021

SEC

Budget

23.

Represent the MOU at meetings of other intergovernmental agreements (e.g. CITES, IUCN, FAO), as appropriate to facilitate the achievement of the objectives of the MOU.

SEC TOR

core

2019-2021

SEC

Budget + Fundraising

24.

Prepare reports of the Secretariat activities for AC and MOS meetings.

SEC TOR

core

2019-2021

SEC

Budget

25.

Recruit and manage the staff and interns of the Secretariat.

SEC TOR

core

2019-2021

SEC

Budget

Support for Meetings (MOS, AC and WG)

26.

Undertake meeting arrangements for the 4^th Meeting of the Signatories (MOS4):

• Identify a venue and liaise with the host government;
• Develop the draft agenda in consultation with Signatories;
• Coordinate, draft and prepare meeting documents, including posting of documents;
• Coordinate and prepare translations into 3 languages (English, French and Spanish);
• Support and arrange attendance and travel of sponsored delegates and experts;
• Handle contracts with interpreters, report writers and other staff, as required;
• Organize and prepare media and press work in collaboration with the Joint Communication Team of CMS;
• Prepare and publish a report of the meeting.

SEC TOR

core

2021

SEC

Budget

27.

Undertake meeting arrangements for the 3^rd Meeting of the Advisory Committee (AC3):

• Identify a venue and liaise with the host government;
• Develop the draft agenda in consultation with the AC;
• Coordinate, draft and prepare meeting documents, including posting of documents;
• Support and arrange attendance and travel of sponsored participants and experts;
• Handle contracts with interpreters, report writers and other staff, as required;
• Organize and prepare media and press work in collaboration with the Joint Communication Team of CMS;
• Prepare and publish a report of the meeting.

SEC TOR

core

2019

SEC

Budget

28.

Undertake meeting arrangements for the 4^th Meeting of the Advisory Committee (AC4):

• Identify a venue and liaise with the host government;
• Develop the draft agenda in consultation with the AC;
• Coordinate, draft and prepare meeting documents, including posting of documents;
• Support and arrange attendance and travel of sponsored participants and experts;
• Handle contracts with interpreters, report writers and other staff, as required;
• Organize and prepare media and press work in collaboration with the Joint Communication Team of CMS;
• Prepare and publish a report of the meeting.

SEC TOR

core

2020

SEC

Budget

Support of the Advisory Committee

29.

Assist the Chair of the AC as required to facilitate the work of the Committee and the preparation of meeting documents.

SEC TOR

core

2019-2021

SEC

Budget

30.

Review the implementation of the Conservation Plan and the Programme of Work and present a report to MOS4. The report should be based on an analysis of National Reports from Signatories, Reports from Cooperating Partners, activities undertaken by the AC and the Secretariat.

SEC TOR

core

2021

SEC

Budget

31.

Liaise with non-Signatory Range States to provide them with the necessary information to join the MOU and facilitate accession.

SEC TOR

core

2019-2021

SEC

CooP

SIG

Budget

Fundraising / Mobilization of resources

32.

Identify existing and new opportunities for financial resources to support the long-termimplementation of the Conservation Plan and the POW. Expand and enhance fundraising activities:

• Develop a fundraising strategy for the MOU
• Raise funds and voluntary annual contributions from Signatories;
• Raise funds for joint projects with partners and potential partners;
• Explore possibilities of alternative funds (e.g. private sector);
• Support funding applications and opportunities for Signatories and Cooperating Partners.

SEC TOR

core

2019-2021

SIG

SEC

CooP

Fundraising