Why the Convention of Migratory Species COP15 Matters for Shorebirds

Governments from around the world will gather in Brazil from the 23^rd to 30^th of March for the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). At these meetings, countries negotiate agreements that shape international cooperation for migratory wildlife – through resolutions, Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), inclusion of species in appendices, and concerted actions that coordinate conservation across borders.

For shorebirds in the Western Hemisphere, the stakes are high. These long-distance migrants rely on a chain of wetlands, grasslands, and coastal habitats stretching from Arctic breeding grounds to southern South America. If any link in that chain weakens, the entire migration system is at risk.

Several proposals relevant to the Americas are on the COP15 agenda, including listing proposals for Hudsonian Whimbrel, Hudsonian Godwit, and Lesser Yellowlegs under CMS Appendix 1 and a proposal for a concerted action between Chile and Argentina for the Magellanic Plover. These decisions could strengthen international commitments for species that have experienced significant population declines.

When governments work together, migratory shorebirds have a better chance of finding safe habitat at every stage of their journey. For example, a shorebird that breeds in Arctic Canada, stops in the United States and the Caribbean, and winters in Argentina depends on coordinated action across all those countries. Each country is a Range State and shares responsibility for maintaining the flyway.

In practice, these listings help align policy, monitoring, funding, and conservation investment across countries – an essential step for species whose survival depends on connected networks of habitats rather than isolated sites.

After the Magellanic Plover was included in Appendix I of the Convention in 2024, a coalition of committed partners in Argentina and Chile launched a joint plan to recover the species in Patagonia at the binational level. This collaboration, with technical support from Manomet, focuses on four critical areas of action: research and monitoring; protection and management of critical sites; management and governance; and stakeholder engagement. A binational working group was also established to enable coordinated efforts between the two countries.

Strengthening Protection for Hudsonian Whimbrels 

In 2026, momentum is building for stronger protection of Hudsonian Whimbrels. Now recognized as its own species, the Hudsonian Whimbrel qualifies for stronger protection under this international convention and other conservation frameworks. While it has not yet been assessed separately by the IUCN Red List, there is strong scientific evidence of an estimated ~70% population decline, as reported by CMS. For COP15, the governments of Brazil and Chile are proposing the inclusion of the species in Appendix I.  

Manomet is strengthening the science behind this proposed protection by studying Hudsonian Whimbrel migration to pinpoint where—and when—conservation action is most critical across the bird’s annual cycle. For decades, Manomet researchers have used satellite tracking to identify important stopover sites, including in Brazil and Chile. Now, Manomet and partners are following the path of whimbrels in Maranhão and Pará States.  

On-the-ground surveys, in addition to providing abundance estimates for new sites, may also allow for estimation of the proportion of juveniles in the flocks counted. This information has never been obtained in the region, and it is critical for building a full life-cycle demographic model to guide the species’ recovery.  

Information obtained through tagging and tracking efforts led to the development of a monitoring network and identification of night roosts along the Southeast and Gulf Coast in North America. Manomet and SAVE Brazil have also been conducting surveys using the International Shorebird Survey protocol since late 2021 at a few locations on São Luís island, Maranhão State, Brazil.  

Policy grounded in science 

As COP15 approaches, Manomet is helping ensure the policy process is grounded in evidence by providing scientific baseline information and technical support to ministries. This includes supporting proposals to list Hudsonian Whimbrel, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Hudsonian Godwit under Appendix I, and a “Concerted Action” for the Magellanic Plover. In addition to this, Manomet is contributing to international coordination through the Whimbrel Working Group and a Binational Working Group for the Magellanic Plover. Current priorities include updating the 2010 Conservation Plan and developing a demographic model. This work is informing ongoing missions in collaboration with partners in Brazil and moving forward with implementing the Chile and Argentina Plan within Patagonia.   

As governments prepare for COP15, conservation organizations and scientific partners are working to ensure that decisions are grounded in the best available evidence. For migratory shorebirds, the outcomes in Brazil could shape conservation efforts across the Americas for years to come. Diego Luna Quevedo, Manomet Senior Specialist, Policy and Governance, says: “Today more than ever, science-based national commitments and coordinated international cooperation are critical to recovering declining shorebird populations. Without timely action, we risk witnessing the extinction of several species.” 

For more information, contact Diego Luna Quevedo, Senior Specialist, Governance and Policy at Manomet Conservation Sciences [email protected].  

Note 

• Appendix I includes migratory species threatened with extinction. Range States are expected to strictly protect these species, conserve and restore key habitats, and reduce major threats. 

• Appendix II includes migratory species that would significantly benefit from international cooperation. CMS encourages Range States to develop coordinated agreements and joint conservation measures. 

• Concerted actions: CMS action mechanism enables coordinated and joint measures between member states to protect endangered migratory species, their habitats, and their flyways. 

For more information, contact Diego Luna Quevedo, Senior Specialist, Governance and Policy, Manomet Conservation Sciences, at [email protected].