July/August 2012: The latest issue of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Bulletin highlights: forthcoming meetings of the Sharks and Cetaceans Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), Romania’s actions to avoid construction of wind turbines in Great Bustard habitat, and news on the conservation of argali.

The Bulletin notes that the third Meeting of Signatories (MOS) to the MOU for the Conservation of Cetaceans and their Habitats in the Pacific Islands Region will take place back-to-back with the Annual Meeting of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). MOS 3 is expected to adopt the draft SPREP Whale and Dolphin Action Plan 2013-2017. Signatories of the MOU include: Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, France (including French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna), Federated States of Micronesia, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, the United Kingdom (for Pitcairn Is) and Vanuatu.

The Bulletin also highlights that the forthcoming first MOS to the MOU on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks plans to adopt a Conservation Plan, set up an Advisory Committee and decide on arrangements for a permanent Secretariat.

The Bulletin reports that the Romanian Ministry of Environment and Forests communicated the Government’s commitment to relocate a planned wind farm to an alternative location, to limit conflict with Great Bustards, Saker Falcons White-tailed Eagles and Eastern Imperial Eagles.

Finally, this issue highlights the conclusions of a study assessing the gaps and needs of argali conservation as well as the options for promoting such cooperation under CMS. In that regard, it reports on the findings in the Little Pamir region of Afghanistan of 16 carcasses of argali found near the fence along the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, emphasizing the global problem of border fences for migrating wildlife. [Publication: CMS Bulletin 7/8 2012]