Study - Conservation priorities for sharks and rays in Oceania

Result of Service The ultimate result of the consultancy is a comprehensive prioritization of conservation activities for Sharks MOU Annex 1-listed shark and ray species in the Oceania region. The results will guide Signatories in implementing effective conservation actions. Work Location remote Expected duration 8 months (part-time assignment for 60 days within an 8-month period) Duties and Responsibilities The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is a global intergovernmental treaty aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of migratory species and their habitats. Numerous additional intergovernmental instruments on migratory species conservation have been adopted under the broad umbrella of CMS which are supported by the CMS Secretariat. The CMS Secretariat also provides the Secretariat for the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas (ASCOBANS). In addition, two regional agreements on migratory species adopted under CMS have their own Secretariats which are co-located with the CMS Secretariat in Bonn - the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) and the Agreement on the Conservation of European Populations of Bats (EUROBATS). The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. In the present context, UNEP provides the administrative functions for the CMS, AEWA, ASCOBANS and EUROBATS Secretariats. The Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks (Sharks MOU) is an international agreement in accordance with Article IV(4) of CMS, that aims to achieve and maintain a favourable conservation status for migratory sharks based on the best available scientific information, considering the socio-economic and other values of these species for the people of the Signatories. In accordance with activity 5.2 in the Programme of Work of the MOU, the consultancy is required to identify and prioritize conservation actions for sharks and rays listed in Annex 1 of the Sharks MOU within the currently agreed Conservation Plan, Programme of Work, and relevant Sharks MOU Fact Sheets, specifically for Signatories from the Oceania region. The study aims to provide Oceania Signatories with actionable, science-based recommendations for prioritizing conservation activities for sharks and rays, in alignment with the existing Conservation Plan and Programme of Work under the Sharks MOU, using the methodology outlined in MOS4/Doc. 10.5 and the Advisory Committee’s prioritization matrix. Under the overall supervision of the Coordinator of the Sharks MOU the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: 1. Develop an inception report that outlines steps, timelines, risks, and draft structure of the report on regional and subregional priorities for the conservation of Shark MOU Annex 1-listed shark and rays in the Oceania region for approval by the Secretariat. 2. Apply the methodology outlined in CMS/Sharks/MOS4/Doc.10.5 “Regional prioritization of shark and ray species listed in Sharks MOU Annex 1 and CMS Appendices” and the Advisory Committee’s prioritization matrix that will be provided to the consultant to identify priority species and conservation actions for the Oceania region, potentially subdividing the region into meaningful subregions. 3. As feasible, appropriate, and within the available budget, and where sufficient data exist, conduct assessments that may include: a. a vulnerability assessment for listed shark and ray species, drawing on the Walker et al. approach b. an (m-)risk assessment 4. Based on the findings