Chapter 8. Migratory Species Conservation in Warming Polar Oceans, with Particular Reference to Seabirds

Abstract

Climate change adds on to the already substantial threats faced by some species in Arctic and Antarctic marine areas, including pollution and fisheries impacts. Against this background, this chapter focuses on the global and regional regimes which address the conservation of migratory birds in marine polar areas. The chapter builds on a 2009 review of international law concerning bird conservation in the Arctic. Contrary to the 2009 study, the chapter includes a treatment of the Antarctic and addresses migratory species. It also deals with marine areas and climate change. The chapter introduces the challenge of conserving migratory bird species in marine polar areas in light of climate change. It discusses the applicable international legal framework(s) at large. The chapter addresses the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and its most pertinent ancillary instruments, particularly the African-Eurasian Waterbirds Agreement (AEWA) and the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP). Keywords: ACAP; African-Eurasian Waterbirds Agreement (AEWA); Antarctic marine areas; Arctic marine areas; Convention on Migratory Species (CMS); international law