/

CONVENTION ON

MIGRATORY

SPECIES

/ UNEP/CMS/COP12/CRP24
26 October 2017

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AND MIGRATORY SPECIES

(UNEP/CMS/COP12/Doc.24.4.8)

DRAFTRESOLUTION

RecallingUNGeneralAssemblyResolution69/233,callingforthe “Promotionofsustainable tourism, includingecotourism,forpovertyreductionand environmental protection”;

EmphasizingthatUNGeneralAssemblyResolution69/233invited“governments,international organizations, otherrelevant institutionsandother stakeholders,asappropriate,toencourage andsupportbestpracticesinrelationtotheimplementationofrelevantpolicies,guidelinesand regulationsinsustainabletourism,includingthe ecotourismsector,and toimplementand disseminateexistingguidelines”;

Recognizingthatin the new Agenda 2030 and SustainableDevelopmentGoals (SDGs), approvedbytheUNGeneralAssembly,tourismisincludedasagoalunderthreeoftheSDGs: SDG8:Promote sustained,inclusiveand sustainableeconomicgrowth, fullandproductive employmentanddecent work forall,SDG12:SustainableConsumptionandProductionand SDG14:Conserveandsustainablyusetheoceans,seasandmarineresourcesforsustainable development;

Notingthat2017wasdeclaredtheInternationalYear ofSustainableTourismfor Development bytheUnitedNations;

Awareofexisting guidelines thataddress the impactsoftourismonbiodiversity,interalia,the UnitedNationsWorldTourismOrganization(UNWTO)onthepromotion of “sustainable tourism”and“ecotourism”;theIUCN-WCPASustainabletourisminprotectedareas,theWorld HeritageConvention’sManagingTourismatWorldHeritageSites;andtheCBDGuidelineson biodiversityandtourismdevelopment;

Recognizingtheframeworksandplansundervariousregionalandsub-regionalinitiativesthat includemeasurestoaddresstheimpactsoftourismonnaturalresourcesandspecies,such asbutnotlimited to,theCoral Triangle Initiativeinthe AsiaPacific,the SuluSulawesiMarine EcoregioninSouth-eastAsia,theCaribbeanRegionalSeaProgramme,particularlythrough itsprotocolonSpeciallyProtectedAreasand Wildlife(SPAW),andtheAfrican-Eurasian MigratoryWaterbirdAgreement (AEWA) with itsguidelinesonthedevelopment ofecotourism atwetlands;

Emphasizingthatthetourism sectoraccountsfor7%ofworldwideexports, oneineleven jobs and 10%of globalGDP;

Acknowledgingtherole ofsustainabletourismasapositivedrivertowardsenvironmental protection,the eradicationofpoverty,improved qualityoflife,the empowermentoflocal communitiesanditsimpacttothe threedimensionsofsustainabledevelopment(economic, social and environmental), particularlyin developingcountries;

Awarethatecotourismisagrowingmarketwhichhasthepotentialtotakeupincreasedmarket share;

Furtherawarethatecotourism thatinvolveswildlifeinteraction witharangeofterrestrialand marine migratoryspecies–birds, marine turtles,whales,dolphins,dugongs,sharks,rays, seals,amongothers - increasingly playsa significant role intheindustry;

Recognizingthatecotourismactivitiescan increaseawarenessand drive positivechange in attitudestowards wildlifeconservation,includinggeneratingresourcestosupportprotectionof migratoryspecies andtheirhabitats;

Awarethatthe sustainability oftourisminvolvingmigratory speciesisdependenton the non-disruptionofthemigrationcyclethusprovidingassuranceofregularandpredictableinflux ofmigratoryspecies populations;

Affirmingthatallcountriesneed totakeequal responsibilityforensuringsustainableand unobtrusive tourism activities in relationtomigratoryspecies;

Notingthatecotourismactivitiescanhavethe bestintentionsbutbeunderminedbyalackof clearunderstandingon migratoryspeciesbehaviourandrequirements,includingpotential creationofnewinequalities inaccesstoresourcesand distributionof benefits;

WelcomingResolution11.29onSustainableBoat-basedMarineWildlife Watchingand Resolution11.23 on ConservationImplicationsof CetaceanCulture,adoptedbyCMSParties at the11thMeetingof the Conference of thePartiesoftheCMS in Quito, November2014;

Further welcomingthe reportandanalysisofcasestudiesprovidedintheConventionon MigratorySpecies’publicationWildlifewatchingandtourism:Astudy onthebenefitsandrisks ofafast-growingtourismactivityanditsimpacts onspecies,aswellasthereportandanalysis ofcasestudiesprovidedinthejointRamsar-UNWTOpublicationon“Wetlandsandsustainable tourism”;

Recognizingthatanumber ofgovernments haveputinplacecomprehensivenational regulationsor guidelinestoensurethesustainabilityoftourismactivitieswithstringent regulations on interactions with wild animals;

Recognizing further thevalueofmigratory speciesinthepromotionof ecotourismand inthe nationaleconomy,and thatadequate managementinterventions andnationalpoliciesareprovidedtosupporteffectivewildlifeconservationandecotourism management;

Acknowledgingthat thereare numerousvoluntary certifications andcriteriathat responsible ecotourismfacilities and organizations have adopted;

Notingthatsustainabletourismcan contributetoglobalbiodiversityandsustainable developmentgoalsandtargetsincludingthenewAgenda2030andSustainableDevelopment Goals(SDGs),the ClimateChangeAdaptation andMitigationStrategies,the Aichitargets establishedintheStrategicPlan forBiodiversity2011-2020adoptedby theConventionon BiologicalDiversity,the StrategicPlanforMigratorySpecies2015-2023 ofthe CMSonthe reductionofpressures to migratoryspecies,andtheconservationofwetlandsby theRamsarConvention;

The Conference of thePartiestothe

ConventionontheConservationofMigratory Species ofWild Animals

  1. UrgesPartiestoadopt, as they consider appropriatemeasuressuchasnationalactionplans,regulations andcodesofconduct,bindingprotocolsoradditional legal frameworks andlegislation, aiming toensure tourismactivitiesdo notnegatively affectspeciesanywhere within their migratoryrange;

2.RecommendsthatPartiesinpromotingtourismorrecreationalactivitiesinvolving wildlife interaction,takeintoaccountthefollowingbasic philosophies:

a)Tourismactivitiesshould notinhibitthenaturalbehaviourandactivityofmigratory species nor adverselyaffect theirassociatedhabitat;

b)Theactivitiesshouldnothavesignificant negative impactonthelong-termsurvivalof species populations;

c)Tourism activitiesshouldcreatesustainablesocialandeconomicbenefitswithinlocal communities;

d)Revenuesgeneratedfromtheactivityshouldbeabletoprovideresourcesforthe conservationofthespeciesor groupofspecies subject totourism,includingthe protectionof theirhabitat,andsustainingofbest practices;

e)Tourism involving wildlife should take into accountthesafety ofobservers and wildlifeas well as risk to humanhealth;

3.RequeststhatPartiesconsider developing appropriatemeasuresandguidelinesdependentonthe targetspecies,including, but not limitedto:

a)Accreditationofoperators,provisions oftrainingandaclearcodeof conduct;

b) Allowable typesofinteractions;

c)Levelofactivity,includingaspectssuchasmaximuminteractionhoursperday, maximumobservation timeper interaction, ornumberofindividuals/vehicleswithin designatedinteraction zones or distances;

d)Appropriate equipment ortechnologiestobeusedwith limitsonanythatcouldcause undue disturbancetotargetspecies;

e)Considerseasonalorlifestage-specificregulationsorexclusions(e.g.duringthe matingseason);

f)Monitoring of implementation throughtherelevantagenciesandauthorities,with suitable engagements with operators to facilitate compliance;

g) Monitoring potential impactsof tourismactivities totargetspecies;

4. Recommendsthatthesame measures aremadeapplicabletonon-dedicated or opportunisticinteractions;

5.Encourages Parties to apply the Precautionary Principle wherethereisalackofinformationconcerningtheeffectsofinteractions brought about bytourism onaspecies;

6.EncouragesPartiestoperformregularappraisalsof enactedmeasurestoaccountforany newresearchor relevantinformation,andadapt regulationsasappropriate;

7.RecommendsthatrelevantgovernmentagenciesofPartiesprovideadequateresources tosupport thoroughecotourismplanningprocess,and thedevelopmentofprotocolsand standardsapplicablefor targetspeciesorspeciesgroups. Protocols shall be directly and clearly stated to ensure that impacts are avoided especially on breeding, foraging, and resting areas of specific population.

8.RecommendsPartiestocollaboratecloselywithrelevantstakeholdersinplanningfor tourism involving wildlifesuch as,butnotlimited to,regulatoryagencies,conservationorganizations, scientificexperts,privateoperators,indigenousandlocal communities;

DRAFT DECISION

Directed to the CMS Secretariat

Promote and support research activities subject to availability ofresources and in consultation with the Parties collate existing information on best practices and impacts of tourism on wildlife as basis to develop guidelines for sustainable tourism on wildlife interactions. Produce and submit a draft report at the 13th Meeting of the Conference of Parties.

Directed to the Scientific Council

Subjectto the availabilityofresources, shallconduct periodicappraisalsof thelatest scientificevidenceontheimpactsofecotourismactivities on migratoryspeciesand torecommendrefinedguidelines. Produce and submit a draft report at the 13th Meeting of the Conference of Parties.

1 UNEP/CMS/COP12/CRP24