Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (COP15)

Barau's Petrel by Claire Greenwell

The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP15), held in Campo Grande, Brazil, from 23 – 29 March delivered major advances for migratory species conservation—particularly for seabirds.

Following nominations from the Governments of New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Cook Islands, Dominican Republic and Fiji, the COP agreed to list 20 species and subspecies of gadfly petrels (Pterodroma sp.) and 4 species of Pseudobulweria on Appendices I and II of the Convention. These listings include most of the gadfly petrels that occur in Australasia and represent a significant conservation action for these birds. As a group, gadfly petrels include some of the rarest, most endangered and poorly understood seabirds in the world, and are the most threatened group of seabirds after the albatrosses.

The listing of gadfly petrels will provide greater global recognition to a group of highly migratory species that are not explicitly covered by any international agreements. CMS Parties are now legally bound to impose protection measures for Appendix I-listed gadfly petrel taxa and their habitats, and to cooperate to improve the conservation status of Appendix II-listed taxa, including through international agreements such as Agreement of the Conservation of Albatross and Petrels (ACAP). The co-sponsors have already declared an intention to develop a global multi-species action plan to guide conservation measures for the listed species.

Gould's Petrel by Claire Greenwell

Details on the species and the Appendix on which they have been listed are shown below:

Species Scientific Name Appendix

Mascarene Petrel Pseudobulweria aterrima                      I

Beck’s Petrel                          Pseudobulweria becki                             I

Fiji petrel                          Pseudobulweria macgillivrayi              I

Barau’s Petrel                       Pterodroma baraui                                    I

Vanuatu Petrel                      Pterodroma cervicalis occulta            I

Black-capped Petrel             Pterodroma hasitata                                I

Atlantic Petrel                  Pterodroma incerta                                  I

Zino’s Petrel                       Pterodroma madeira                                I

Magenta Petrel                     Pterodroma magenta                              I

Tahiti Petrel                       Pseudobulweria rostrata                        II

Phoenix Petrel                     Pterodroma alba                                        II

Trindade Petrel                   Pterodroma arminjoniana                      II

Chatham Petrel                   Pterodroma axillaris                                 II

Collared Petrel                     Pterodroma brevipes                               II

White-necked Petrel           Pterodroma cervicalis cervicalis        II

Cook’s Petrel                     Pterodroma cookii (Northern & Southern pop.) II

Masatierra Petrel                 Pterodroma defilippiana                         II

Desertas Petrel                     Pterodroma deserta                                 II

Juan Fernandez Petrel          Pterodroma externa                                II

Cape Verde Petrel                 Pterodroma feae                                        II

Gould’s Petrel                        Pterodroma leucoptera (Australian & New Caledonian)     II         

Pycroft’s Petrel                    Pterodroma pycrofti                                 II

Stejneger's Petrel                  Pterodroma longirostris                          II

Chilean Kermadec Petrel    Pterodroma neglecta juana                  II

Tahiti Petrel by Claire Greenwell

High Seas Biodiversity Treaty: A Milestone for Ocean Protection

Image: Claire Greenwell

In June 2023, the United Nations adopted the High Seas Biodiversity Treaty, formally known as the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). Developed under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the treaty is the first global framework specifically designed to protect biodiversity in the high seas—areas of ocean beyond any single country’s control.

When did it come into effect?

The treaty officially entered into force on 17 January 2026, 120 days after the 60th country ratified it. Australia signed the agreement in September 2023 and has since passed national legislation to enable ratification.

Why does it matter?

Nearly 60% of the global ocean lies beyond national jurisdiction, making it one of the least protected ecosystems on Earth. These waters are increasingly impacted by fishing, shipping, and emerging industries, placing pressure on marine biodiversity and ocean health. Because ocean ecosystems are interconnected, the condition of the high seas directly affects coastal environments—including Australian waters.

What does the treaty do?

The High Seas Biodiversity Treaty establishes a framework to:

• Create marine protected areas in international waters

• Require environmental impact assessments for high seas activities

• Regulate access to marine genetic resources

• Support capacity building and marine technology sharing, particularly for developing states.

Implications for seabird conservation

For seabirds, many of which spend most of their lives at sea and only return to land to breed, this treaty is especially significant. It opens the door to protecting critical foraging habitats and migratory pathways that have historically lacked oversight. By improving management of high seas ecosystems, the treaty will help reduce threats such as overfishing and habitat degradation—key drivers of seabird population decline.

A global step forward

The treaty represents a major step toward the global goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. It also strengthens international collaboration in marine science and conservation—an essential foundation for safeguarding seabirds and the wider ocean ecosystem into the future.

To see which countries have signed or ratified the treaty, visit the United Nations Law of the Sea Treaty.

Image: Claire Greenwell

AOC 2027 - WA Student Travel Grants

For those seabird students in western Australia, a special grant is available for the next AOC in Auckland, NZ, held from 16 - 18 February 2027:

BirdLife Western Australia Postgraduate Student Sponsorship

The BirdLife Western Australia branch is pleased to be offering postgraduate student sponsorship to assist attendance at the AOC 2027. Two grants of $1,000 are being offered this year. These will be allocated on the basis of the merit, quality and relevance of submitted abstracts.

Closing date: 31 March 2026

Please submit your abstract via email (wa@birdlife.org.au)

Applications must include:

• A brief CV, including details of current course of study (institution, degree, thesis title and project overview)

• A copy of your submitted AOC 2027 abstract

• A letter of support from a course supervisor (can be emailed directly to BirdLife WA)

The conditions of this sponsorship are that applicants:

• Are enrolled for a postgraduate degree that is relevant to ornithology

• Are studying in Western Australia

• Have registered to attend the AOC 2027

• Are prepared to present a paper at this conference

• Have not received any other subsidy or grant to attend the AOC 2027.