Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild

Animals
The Contracting Parties,
RECOGNIZING that wild animals in their innumerable forms are an
irreplaceable part of the earth's natural system which must be conserved for
the good of mankind;
AWARE that each generation of man holds the resources of the earth for
future generations and has an obligation to ensure that this legacy is
conserved and, where utilized, is used wisely;
CONSCIOUS of the ever-growing value of wild animals from environmental,
ecological, genetic, scientific, aesthetic, recreational, cultural, educational,
social and economic points of view;
CONCERNED particularly with those species of wild animals that migrate
across or outside national jurisdictional boundaries;
RECOGNIZING that the States are and must be the protectors of the
migratory species of wild animals that live within or pass through their
national jurisdictional boundaries;
CONVINCED that conservation and effective management of migratory
species of wild animals require the concerted action of all States within the
national jurisdictional boundaries of which such species spend any part of
their life cycle;
RECALLING Recommendation 32 of the Action Plan adopted by the United
Nations Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm, 1972) and noted
with satisfaction at the Twenty-seventh Session of the General Assembly of
the United Nations,
HAVE AGREED as follows:
Article I
Interpretation
1. For the purpose of this Convention:
a) "Migratory species" means the entire population or any
geographically separate part of the population of any species or lower
taxon of wild animals, a significant proportion of whose members
cyclically and predictably cross one or more national jurisdictional
boundaries;
b) "Conservation status of a migratory species" means the sum of the
influences acting on the migratory species that may affect its longterm distribution and abundance;
c) "Conservation status" will be taken as "favourable" when:
(1) population dynamics data indicate that the migratory species is
maintaining itself on a long-term basis as a viable component of its
ecosystems;
(2) the range of the migratory species is neither currently being
reduced, nor is likely to be reduced, on a long-term basis;

(3) there is, and will be in the foreseeable future sufficient habitat to
maintain the population of the migratory species on a long-term basis;
and
(4) the distribution and abundance of the migratory species approach
historic coverage and levels to the extent that potentially suitable
ecosystems exist and to the extent consistent with wise wildlife
management;
d) "Conservation status" will be taken as "unfavourable" if any of the
conditions set out in sub-paragraph (c) of this paragraph is not met;
e) "Endangered" in relation to a particular migratory species means
that the migratory species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a
significant portion of its range;
f) "Range" means all the areas of land or water that a migratory
species inhabits, stays in temporarily, crosses or overflies at any time
on its normal migration route;
g) "Habitat" means any area in the range of a migratory species which
contains suitable living conditions for that species;
h) "Range State" in relation to a particular migratory species means
any State (and where appropriate any other Party referred to under
subparagraph (k) of this paragraph) that exercises jurisdiction over any
part of the range of that migratory species, or a State, flag vessels of
which are engaged outside national jurisdictional limits in taking that
migratory species;
i) "Taking" means taking, hunting, fishing capturing, harassing,
deliberate killing, or attempting to engage in any such conduct;
j) "AGREEMENT" means an international agreement relating to the
conservation of one or more migratory species as provided for in
Articles IV and V of this Convention; and
k) "Party" means a State or any regional economic integration
organization constituted by sovereign States which has competence in
respect of the negotiation, conclusion and application of international
Agreements in matters covered by this Convention for which this
Convention is in force.
2. In matters within their competence, the regional economic integration
organizations which are Parties to this Convention shall in their own name
exercise the rights and fulfil the responsibilities which this Convention
attributes to their member States. In such cases the member States of these
organizations shall not be entitled to exercise such rights individually.
3. Where this Convention provides for a decision to be taken by either a twothirds majority or a unanimous decision of "the Parties present and voting"
this shall mean "the Parties present and casting an affirmative or negative
vote". Those abstaining from voting shall not be counted amongst "the
Parties present and voting" in determining the majority.

Article II
Fundamental Principles
1. The Parties acknowledge the importance of migratory species being
conserved and of Range States agreeing to take action to this end whenever
possible and appropriate, paying special attention to migratory species the
conservation status of which is unfavourable, and taking individually or in cooperation appropriate and necessary steps to conserve such species and
their habitat.
2. The Parties acknowledge the need to take action to avoid any migratory
species becoming endangered.

3. In particular, the Parties:

a) should promote, co-operate in and support research relating to
migratory species;
b) shall endeavour to provide immediate protection for migratory
species included in Appendix I; and
c) shall endeavour to conclude Agreements covering the conservation
and management of migratory species included in Appendix II.

Article III
Endangered Migratory Species: Appendix I
1. Appendix I shall list migratory species which are endangered.
2. A migratory species may be listed in Appendix I provided that reliable
evidence, including the best scientific evidence available, indicates that the
species is endangered.
3. A migratory species may be removed from Appendix I when the
Conference of the Parties determines that:
a) reliable evidence, including the best scientific evidence available,
indicates that the species is no longer endangered, and
b) the species is not likely to become endangered again because of
loss of protection due to its removal from Appendix I.
4. Parties that are Range States of a migratory species listed in Appendix I
shall endeavour:
a) to conserve and, where feasible and appropriate, restore those
habitats of the species which are of importance in removing the
species from danger of extinction;
b) to prevent, remove, compensate for or minimize, as appropriate, the
adverse effects of activities or obstacles that seriously impede or
prevent the migration of the species; and
c) to the extent feasible and appropriate, to prevent, reduce or control
factors that are endangering or are likely to further endanger the
species, including strictly controlling the introduction of, or controlling
or eliminating, already introduced exotic species.
5. Parties that are Range States of a migratory species listed in Appendix I
shall prohibit the taking of animals belonging to such species. Exceptions
may be made to this prohibition only if:
a) the taking is for scientific purposes;
b) the taking is for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or
survival of the affected species;
c) the taking is to accommodate the needs of traditional subsistence
users of such species; or
d) extraordinary circumstances so require; provided that such
exceptions are precise as to content and limited in space and time.
Such taking should not operate to the disadvantage of the species.
6. The Conferences of the Parties may recommend to the Parties that are
Range States of a migratory species listed in Appendix I that they take
further measures considered appropriate to benefit the species.
7. The Parties shall as soon as possible inform the Secretariat of any
exceptions made pursuant to paragraph 5 of this Article.

Article IV
Migratory Species to be the Subject of AGREEMENTS: Appendix II

1. Appendix II shall list migratory species which have an unfavourable

conservation status and which require international agreements for their
conservation and management, as well as those which have a conservation
status which would significantly benefit from the international cooperation
that could be achieved by an international agreement.
2. If the circumstances so warrant, a migratory species may be listed both in
Appendix I and Appendix II.
3. Parties that are Range States of migratory species listed in Appendix II
shall endeavour to conclude AGREEMENTS where these should benefit the
species and should give priority to those species in an unfavourable
conservation status.
4. Parties are encouraged to take action with a view to concluding
agreements for any population or any geographically separate part of the
population of any species or lower taxon of wild animals, members of which
periodically cross one or more national jurisdiction boundaries.
5. The Secretariat shall be provided with a copy of each AGREEMENT
concluded pursuant to the provisions of this Article.

Article V
Guidelines for AGREEMENTS
1. The object of each AGREEMENT shall be to restore the migratory species
concerned to a favourable conservation status or to maintain it in such a
status. Each Agreement should deal with those aspects of the conservation
and management of the migratory species concerned which serve to achieve
that object.
2. Each AGREEMENT should cover the whole of the range of the migratory
species concerned and should be open to accession by all Range States of
that species, whether or not they are Parties to this Convention.
3. An AGREEMENT should, wherever possible, deal with more than one
migratory species.
4. Each AGREEMENT should:
a) identify the migratory species covered;
b) describe the range and migration route of the migratory species;
c) provide for each Party to designate its national authority concerned
with the implementation of the AGREEMENT.
d) establish, if necessary, appropriate machinery to assist in carrying
out the aims of the AGREEMENT, to monitor its effectiveness, and to
prepare reports for the Conference of the Parties;
e) provide for procedures for the settlement of disputes between
Parties to the AGREEMENT; and
f) at a minimum, prohibit, in relation to a migratory species of the
Order Cetacea, any taking that is not permitted for that migratory
species under any other multilateral Agreement and provide for
accession to the AGREEMENT by States that are not Range States of
that migratory species.

5. Where appropriate and feasible, each AGREEMENT should provide for but
not be limited to:
a) periodic review of the conservation status of the migratory species
concerned and the identification of the factors which may be harmful
to that status;
b) co-ordinated conservation and management plans;
c) research into the ecology and population dynamics of the migratory
species concerned, with special regard to migration;

d) the exchange of information on the migratory species concerned,

special regard being paid to the exchange of the results of research
and of relevant statistics;
e) conservation and, where required and feasible, restoration of the
habitats of importance in maintaining a favourable conservation status,
and protection of such habitats from disturbances, including strict
control of the introduction of, or control of already introduced, exotic
species detrimental to the migratory species;
f) maintenance of a network of suitable habitats appropriately disposed
in relation to the migration routes;
g) where it appears desirable, the provision of new habitats favourable
to the migratory species or reintroduction of the migratory species into
favourable habitats;
h) elimination of, to the maximum extent possible, or compensation for
activities and obstacles which hinder or impede migration;
i) prevention, reduction or control of the release into the habitat of the
migratory species of substances harmful to that migratory species;
j) measures based on sound ecological principles to control and
manage the taking of the migratory species;
k) procedures for co-ordinating action to suppress illegal taking;
l) exchange of information on substantial threats to the migratory
species;
m) emergency procedures whereby conservation action would be
considerably and rapidly strengthened when the conservation status of
the migratory species is seriously affected; and
n) making the general public aware of the contents and aims of the
AGREEMENT.

Article VI
Range States
1. A list of the Range States of migratory species listed in Appendices I and II
shall be kept up to date by the Secretariat using information it has received
from the Parties.
2. The Parties shall keep the Secretariat informed in regard to which of the
migratory species listed in Appendices I and II they consider themselves to
be Range States, including provision of information on their flag vessels
engaged outside national jurisdictional limits in taking the migratory species
concerned and, where possible, future plans in respect of such taking.
3. The Parties which are Range States for migratory species listed in
Appendix I or Appendix II should inform the Conference of the Parties through
the Secretariat, at least six months prior to each ordinary meeting of the
Conference, on measures that they are taking to implement the provisions of
this Convention for these species.

Article VII
The Conference of the Parties
1. The Conference of the Parties shall be the decision-making organ of this
Convention.
2. The Secretariat shall call a meeting of the Conference of the Parties not
later than two years after the entry into force of this Convention.

3. Thereafter the Secretariat shall convene ordinary meetings of the

Conference of the Parties at intervals of not more than three years, unless
the Conference decides otherwise, and extraordinary meetings at any time
on the written request of at least one-third of the Parties.
4. The Conference of the Parties shall establish and keep under review the
financial regulations of this Convention. The Conference of the Parties shall,
at each of its ordinary meetings, adopt the budget for the next financial
period. Each Party shall contribute to this budget according to a scale to be
agreed upon by the Conference. Financial regulations, including the
provisions on the budget and the scale of contributions as well as their
modifications, shall be adopted by unanimous vote of the Parties present and
voting.
5. At each of its meetings the Conference of the Parties shall review the
implementation of this Convention and may in particular:
a) review and assess the conservation status of migratory species;
b) review the progress made towards the conservation of migratory
species, especially those listed in Appendices I and II;
c) make such provision and provide such guidance as may be
necessary to enable the Scientific Council and the Secretariat to carry
out their duties;
d) receive and consider any reports presented by the Scientific Council,
the Secretariat, any Party or any standing body established pursuant to
an AGREEMENT;
e) make recommendations to the Parties for improving the
conservation status of migratory species and review the progress being
made under AGREEMENTS;
f) in those cases where an AGREEMENT has not been concluded, make
recommendations for the convening of meetings of the Parties that are
Range States of a migratory species or group of migratory species to
discuss measures to improve the conservation status of the species;
g) make recommendations to the Parties for improving the
effectiveness of this Convention; and
h) decide on any additional measure that should be taken to
implement the objectives of this Convention.
6. Each meeting of the Conference of the Parties should determine the time
and venue of the next meeting.
7. Any meeting of the Conference of the Parties shall determine and adopt
rules of procedure for that meeting. Decisions at a meeting of the
Conference of the Parties shall require a two-thirds majority of the Parties
present and voting, except where otherwise provided for by this Convention.
8. The United Nations, its Specialized Agencies, the International Atomic
Energy Agency, as well as any State not a party to this Convention and, for
each Agreement, the body designated by the parties to that Agreement, may
be represented by observers at meetings of the Conference of the Parties.
9. Any agency or body technically qualified in protection, conservation and
management of migratory species, in the following categories, which has
informed the Secretariat of its desire to be represented at meetings of the
Conference of the Parties by observers, shall be admitted unless at least onethird of the Parties present object:
a) international agencies or bodies, either governmental or nongovernmental, and national governmental agencies and bodies; and
b) national non-governmental agencies or bodies which have been
approved for this purpose by the State in which they are located.
Once admitted, these observers shall have the right to participate but not to
vote.

Article VIII

The Scientific Council

1. At its first meeting, the Conference of the Parties shall establish a
Scientific Council to provide advice on scientific matters.
2. Any Party may appoint a qualified expert as a member of the Scientific
Council. In addition, the Scientific Council shall include as members qualified
experts selected and appointed by the Conference of the Parties; the number
of these experts, the criteria for their selection and the terms of their
appointments shall be as determined by the Conference of the Parties.
3. The Scientific Council shall meet at the request of the Secretariat as
required by the Conference of the Parties.
4. Subject to the approval of the Conference of the Parties, the Scientific
Council shall establish its own rules of procedure.
5. The Conference of the Parties shall determine the functions of the
Scientific Council, which may include:
a) providing scientific advice to the Conference of the Parties, to the
Secretariat, and, if approved by the Conference of the Parties, to any
body set up under this Convention or an AGREEMENT or to any Party;
b) recommending research and the co-ordination of research on
migratory species, evaluating the results of such research in order to
ascertain the conservation status of migratory species and reporting to
the Conference of the Parties on such status and measures for its
improvement;
c) making recommendations to the Conference of the Parties as to the
migratory species to be included in Appendices I and II, together with
an indication of the range of such migratory species;
d) making recommendations to the Conference of the Parties as to
specific conservation and management measures to be included in
AGREEMENTS on migratory species; and
e) recommending to the Conference of the Parties solutions to
problems relating to the scientific aspects of the implementation of this
Convention, in particular with regard to the habitats of migratory
species.
Article IX
The Secretariat
1. For the purposes of this Convention a Secretariat shall be established.
2. Upon entry into force of this Convention, the Secretariat is provided by the
Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme. To the
extent and in the manner he considers appropriate, he may be assisted by
suitable intergovernmental or non-governmental, international or national
agencies and bodies technically qualified in protection, conservation and
management of wild animals.
3. If the United Nations Environment Programme is no longer able to provide
the Secretariat, the Conference of the Parties shall make alternative
arrangements for the Secretariat.
4. The functions of the Secretariat shall be:
a) to arrange for and service meetings: (i) of the Conference of the
Parties, and (ii) of the Scientific Council;
b) to maintain liaison with and promote liaison between the Parties, the
standing bodies set up under AGREEMENTS and other international
organizations concerned with migratory species;
c) to obtain from any appropriate source reports and other information
which will further the objectives and implementation of this Convention
and to arrange for the appropriate dissemination of such information;
d) to invite the attention of the Conference of the Parties to any matter
pertaining to the objectives of this Convention;
e) to prepare for the Conference of the Parties reports on the work of
the Secretariat and on the implementation of this Convention;

f) to maintain and publish a list of Range States of all migratory species

included in Appendices I and II;
g) to promote, under the direction of the Conference of the Parties, the
conclusion of AGREEMENTS,
h) to maintain and make available to the Parties a list of AGREEMENTS
and, if so required by the Conference of the Parties, to provide any
information on such AGREEMENTS;
i) to maintain and publish a list of the recommendations made by the
Conference of the Parties pursuant to sub-paragraphs (e), (f) and (g) of
paragraph 5 of Article VII or of decisions made pursuant to subparagraph (h) of that paragraph;
j) to provide for the general public information concerning this
Convention and its objectives; and
k) to perform any other function entrusted to it under this Convention
or by the Conference of the Parties.
Article X
Amendment of the Convention
1. This Convention may be amended at any ordinary or extraordinary
meeting of the Conference of the Parties.
2. Proposals for amendment may be made by any Party.
3. The text of any proposed amendment and the reasons for it shall be
communicated to the Secretary at least one hundred and fifty days before
the meeting at which it is to be considered and shall promptly be
communicated by the Secretary to all Parties. Any comments on the text by
the Parties shall be communicated to the Secretariat not less than sixty days
before the meeting begins. The Secretariat shall, immediately after the last
day for submission of comments, communicate to the Parties all comments
submitted by that day.
4. Amendments shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority of Parties present
and voting.
5. An amendment adopted shall enter into force for all Parties which have
accepted it on the first day of the third month following the date on which
two-thirds of the Parties have deposited an instrument of acceptance with
the Depositary. For each Party which deposits an instrument of acceptance
after the date on which two-thirds of the Parties have deposited an
instrument of acceptance, the amendment shall enter into force for that
Party on the first day of the third month following the deposit of its
instrument of acceptance.
Article XI
Amendment of the Appendices
1. Appendices I and II may be amended at any ordinary or extraordinary
meeting of the Conference of the Parties.
2. Proposals for amendment may be made by any Party.
3. The text of any proposed amendment and the reasons for it, based on the
best scientific evidence available, shall be communicated to the Secretariat
at least one hundred and fifty days before the meeting and shall promptly be
communicated by the Secretariat to all Parties. Any comments on the text by
the Parties shall be communicated to the Secretariat not less than sixty days
before the meeting begins. The Secretariat shall, immediately after the last
day for submission of comments, communicate to the Parties all comments
submitted by that day.
4. Amendments shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority of Parties present
and voting.
5. An amendment to the Appendices shall enter into force for all Parties
ninety days after the meeting of the Conference of the Parties at which it was

adopted, except for those Parties which make a reservation in accordance

with paragraph 6 of this Article.
6. During the period of ninety days provided for in paragraph 5 of this Article,
any Party may by notification in writing to the Depositary make a reservation
with respect to the amendment. A reservation to an amendment may be
withdrawn by written notification to the Depositary and thereupon the
amendment shall enter into force for that Party ninety days after the
reservation is withdrawn.

Article XII
Effect on International Conventions and Other Legislation
1. Nothing in this Convention shall prejudice the codification and
development of the law of the sea by the United Nations Conference on the
Law of the Sea convened pursuant to Resolution 2750 C (XXV) of the General
Assembly of the United Nations nor the present or future claims and legal
views of any State concerning the law of the sea and the nature and extent
of coastal and flag State jurisdiction.
2. The provisions of this Convention shall in no way affect the rights or
obligations of any Party deriving from any existing treaty, convention or
Agreement.
3. The provisions of this Convention shall in no way affect the right of Parties
to adopt stricter domestic measures concerning the conservation of
migratory species listed in Appendices I and II or to adopt domestic
measures concerning the conservation of species not listed in Appendices I
and II.

Article XIII
Settlement of Disputes
1. Any dispute which may arise between two or more Parties with respect to
the interpretation or application of the provisions of this Convention shall be
subject to negotiation between the Parties involved in the dispute.
2. If the dispute cannot be resolved in accordance with paragraph 1 of this
Article, the Parties may, by mutual consent, submit the dispute to arbitration,
in particular that of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague, and the
Parties submitting the dispute shall be bound by the arbitral decision.
Article XIV
Reservations
1. The provisions of this Convention shall not be subject to general
reservations. Specific reservations may be entered in accordance with the
provisions of this Article and Article XI.
2. Any State or regional economic integration organization may, on
depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession,
enter a specific reservation with regard to the presence on either Appendix I
or Appendix II or both, of any migratory species and shall then not be
regarded as a Party in regard to the subject of that reservation until ninety
days after the Depositary has transmitted to the Parties notification that such
reservation has been withdrawn.
Article XV

Signature
This Convention shall be open for signature at Bonn for all States and any
regional economic integration organization until the twenty-second day of
June, 1980.
Article XVI
Ratification, Acceptance, Approval
This Convention shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval.
Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with
the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, which shall be the
Depositary.
Article XVII
Accession
After the twenty-second day of June 1980 this Convention shall be open for
accession by all non-signatory States and any regional economic integration
organization. Instruments of accession shall be deposited with the
Depositary.

Article XVIII
Entry into Force
1. This Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the third month
following the date of deposit of the fifteenth instrument of ratification,
acceptance, approval or accession with the Depositary.
2. For each State or each regional economic integration organization which
ratifies, accepts or approves this Convention or accedes thereto after the
deposit of the fifteenth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or
accession, this Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the third
month following the deposit by such State or such organization of its
instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

Article XIX
Denunciation
Any Party may denounce this Convention by written notification to the
Depositary at any time. The denunciation shall take effect twelve months
after the Depositary has received the notification.

Article XX
Depositary
1. The original of this Convention, in the English, French, German, Russian
and Spanish languages, each version being equally authentic, shall be
deposited with the Depositary. The Depositary shall transmit certified copies

of each of these versions to all States and all regional economic integration
organizations that have signed the Convention or deposited instruments of
accession to it.
2. The Depositary shall, after consultation with the Governments concerned,
prepare official versions of the text of this Convention in the Arabic and
Chinese languages.
3. The Depositary shall inform all signatory and acceding States and all
signatory and acceding regional economic integration organizations and the
Secretariat of signatures, deposit of instruments of ratification, acceptance,
approval or accession, entry into force of this Convention, amendments
thereto, specific reservations and notifications of denunciation.
4. As soon as this Convention enters into force, a certified copy thereof shall
be transmitted by the Depositary to the Secretariat of the United Nations for
registration and publication in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter of
the United Nations. In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly
authorized to that effect, have signed this Convention.
Done at Bonn on 23 June 1979.