Decline of Migratory Species: UN Report Sparks Urgent Call for Human-Led Recovery Efforts

The UN State of the World’s Migratory Species report, presented by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), reveals a troubling decline in nearly half of migratory species populations. The latest findings can be attributed largely to human impact through overexploitation, habitat loss, and anthropogenic climate change, prompting an urgent call for mitigation.

South Africa, as a signatory to the CMS since 1991, plays a pivotal role. Not only do numerous migratory species traverse or inhabit South African territory, but the nation also has a vested interest in the broader ecosystem services these species provide, such as pollination, carbon storage, and nutrient transportation.

The report indicates that the sharpest declines have been observed in migratory fish species, with many populations - like sharks and rays - unable to withstand the pressures from industrial fishing and habitat degradation. High-risk extinction categories reflect severely depleted numbers, such as the almost vanished local whitespotted wedgefish and the sawfish, now extinct in South African waters.

BirdLife SA's monitoring reveals similar distress for migratory waders, with species such as the Sanderling and Cape Cormorant notably reduced in numbers. Afro-Palearctic migratory birds, too, are subject to multiple threats along their transcontinental journeys.

On a more positive note, some whale species like the humpback have demonstrated notable recovery, thanks largely to international protection efforts. Yet, these gains are not without their challenges, including threats from ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear.

The report emphasizes the importance of habitat conservation throughout migratory routes and suggests that ecological corridors could help sustain natural movement in the face of climate change. Dr. Ryan Daly and Dr. Els Vermeulen point to changes in temperature affecting migratory patterns and prey availability for marine species, underlining the complexity of the crisis.

Experts agree that transboundary cooperation, robust protected areas, and alignment of conservation objectives will be essential for the recovery of migratory species. South Africa must integrate international treaties into national policies, and support for NGO action will be critical as per BirdLife SA's position.

Given the urgent need for action, the CMS treaty's forthcoming Programme of Work on Migratory Birds and Flyways holds particular significance for the conservation community. It remains to be seen how effectively South Africa and other nations will implement these vital measures to ensure the survival of migratory species across the globe.