Result of Service
The ultimate objective of the project is to assess, to the extent possible, the direct and indirect impacts of wild meat taking, trade and consumption of all CMS-listed bird species (with a focus on Appendix II) within the Range States listed in Annex 2 of CMS Resolution 11.17 (Rev.COP13)/Rev.1 African-Eurasian Migratory Landbirds Action Plan (AEMLAP).
Expected outputs are:
- a report (30-50 p.) on the use of avian wild meat of CMS-listed bird species, as detailed above, with an Executive Summary, relevant introductory and analytical chapters, a thorough discussion, and relevant appendices;
- a spreadsheet of the above information (with linked Mendeley-compatible electronic library) and compile a full bibliography of the relevant sources used; and
- a Microsoft Power Point presentation of max 20 slides with powerful images and graphs, summarising the main findings of the report.
Further to the above, the consultant will be required to integrate the data arising from the upcoming Vulture MSAP mid-term review (to take place in 2023) into the final report and to support a planned workshop on the development of an Action Plan on West African Vultures (envisaged for the end of 2023) where data compiled on wild meat take can be presented and verified, with a special focus vulture taking and trade for human consumption.
Work Location
home-based
Expected duration
6 months
Duties and Responsibilities
Background and Objective
The objective of the project is to assess, to the extent possible, the direct and indirect impacts of wild meat taking, trade and consumption of all bird species covered by CMS Appendices I and / or II.
For this purpose, the broad definition of ‘taking’ given by CMS (Article I (1)(j)) is used: ‘taking, hunting, fishing capturing, harassing, deliberate killing, or attempting to engage in any such conduct’. In this study, any taking of CMS avian species (both land and seabirds) for the delivery of meat or other wildlife parts (nests, eggs, etc.) for human consumption (food or non-food, including for “medicinal use”), legal or illegal by law is relevant. The geographic scope of the study shall be limited to the Range States listed in Annex 2 of CMS Resolution 11.17 (Rev.COP13)/Rev.1 African-Eurasian Migratory Landbirds Action Plan (AEMLAP; map available on page 21).
Understanding that many CMS Appendix II avian species are currently legally taken, and that these are not always for human consumption or trade, it is proposed that this report focuses on Appendix II species hunted for human consumption/trade that are found to be declining/with an unfavourable conservation and/or for which established quotas (if available) could be having a negative impact on their populations. Take of seabirds in fisheries (bycatch), if for human consumption/trade, should be considered for this report.
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) aims to conserve terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species throughout their range. It is an intergovernmental treaty, concluded under the aegis of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), concerned with the conservation of wildlife and habitats on a global scale. As an "umbrella" Convention, CMS maintains close institutional and programmatic linkages with its associated instruments, including with those agreements that are legally independent. The "parent" Convention, CMS, and its "daughter" agreements are often collectively referred to as the "CMS Family".
Justification
This work is based on CMS Decision 13.109 (a) Addressing Unsustainable Use of Terrestrial and Avian Wild Meat of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, which directs that the CMS Secretariat shall, subject to the availability of external resources, and working within the Convention’s remit, prepare an analysis on the direct and indirect impacts of wild meat taking, trade and consumption of terrestrial and avian species listed on CMS Appendices I and II.
CMS Decision 13.109 requests the Secretariat to prepare an analysis on the direct and indirect impacts of wild meat taking, trade and consumption of terrestrial and avian species listed on CMS Appendices I and II. In response, in 2021, CMS already published a report titled ‘Impacts of Taking, Trade and Consumption of Terrestrial Migratory Species for Wild Meat’, summarising the status of knowledge on the impacts of wild meat taking, trade and consumption of terrestrial animal species protected under CMS. This consultancy is aimed to complete the Avian aspect of Decision 13.109.
Responsibilities
Draft a report and presentation slides containing the following items to the extent possible with available data:
a) Identification of the magnitude of wild meat taking, trade and consumption for all CMS listed