In a historic step for wildlife, governments meeting at the 15th Conference of the Parties (CoP15) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) in Campo Grande, Brazil, have approved sweeping protections for migratory species and their habitats worldwide.

The decisions, adopted by more than 130 countries, strengthen safeguards for vulnerable animals, launch new international efforts to combat wildlife exploitation, and reinforce the urgent need for coordinated global action as biodiversity continues to decline. From sharks and freshwater fish to jaguars, the outcomes of CMS CoP15 reflect both progress and a stark warning.

Susan Liberman, Vice President for International Policy at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and head of the WCS delegation at CMS CoP15, emphasized the scope of these outcomes:

“The decisions adopted in plenary today include strengthened protections for priority species, new global initiatives to address illegal and unsustainable use, and major advances in the conservation of terrestrial, freshwater and marine biodiversity. Together, these outcomes underscore the growing recognition that coordinated international action is essential to halt and reverse the global decline of migratory species. Significantly, they reflect a strong commitment of governments to finding solutions through multilateralism.” Liberman noted.

Among the most significant outcomes of the summit is the decision to increase protections for a number of threatened migratory species. The giant otter and striped hyena have both been added to Appendix I and II, requiring strict protection and coordinated conservation efforts across borders. Several shark species, including thresher sharks, scalloped hammerheads, and great hammerheads, have been granted the highest level of protection under Appendix I, reflecting severe global population declines largely driven by overexploitation.

Freshwater species also saw important gains. The spotted sorubim catfish was added to Appendix II, while the Patagonian narrownose smoothhound also received protections. These listings are critical: Appendix I requires strict protection and prohibits exploitation, while Appendix II promotes international collaboration, essential for species that cross national boundaries and depend on connected ecosystems to survive.

One of the defining moments of CoP15 was the adoption of a strong, action-oriented resolution focused on jaguar conservation. With the meeting held in the Pantanal, one of the world’s most important strongholds for jaguars, governments committed to increasing cooperation and improving habitat connectivity across the species’ range.

“Migratory species are among the most visible indicators of ecological integrity—and among the most vulnerable. The decisions adopted here reflect the power of science-based policy and international cooperation. Now, governments must act on these commitments to secure real conservation outcomes on the ground and in the water. The species that symbolizes that the most is the jaguar; the meeting was held in the Pantanal, within the range of the magnificent jaguar, and adopted a strong resolution promoting increased collaboration and actions for this iconic species.” Liberman noted.

Delegates also agreed to a major new global initiative aimed at tackling the illegal and unsustainable use of migratory species. The initiative is designed to strengthen enforcement, reduce overexploitation, and promote sustainable management practices, an essential step as wildlife trafficking and unsustainable use continue to push many species toward collapse.

Important progress was also made for marine and freshwater species. Governments advanced coordinated conservation efforts for sand tiger sharks and manta rays, while adopting a Regional Action Plan for Amazonian migratory catfish, an important move for both biodiversity and food security in one of the world’s most vital river systems. At the same time, new scientific findings presented at the summit revealed that hundreds of migratory freshwater fish species may qualify for CMS protection, underscoring just how urgent expanded conservation action has become.

CMS remains one of the few international agreements dedicated to protecting migratory species, animals that depend on multiple countries and ecosystems to survive.

“WCS played a leading role throughout CoP15, supporting science-based proposals and documents across multiple taxa and ecosystems. Overall, the outcomes of CMS CoP15 highlight both progress and urgency. While there are advances and important steps forward, many migratory species are approaching critical thresholds due to threats such as habitat fragmentation and destruction, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change. These decisions represent both a warning and a pathway forward. When countries come together with a shared purpose and in the spirit of collaboration, through multilateralism, they can deliver meaningful conservation at scale—but success will depend on sustained implementation and cooperation.” Liberman concluded.

“When countries come together with a shared purpose and in the spirit of collaboration, through multilateralism, they can deliver meaningful conservation at scale—but success will depend on sustained implementation and cooperation.” —Susan Liberman, Vice President for International Policy, WCS