CMS/StC.19/Inf. 9.2 Draft Information Management Plan for the Convention on Migratory Species Prepared by Jeremy Harrison World Conservation Monitoring Centre WORLD CONSERVATION MONITORING CENTRE Draft Version 3 22 February 1999 AIN I49 oF ° ICA 4 , he. ra f neal PROJECT SUMMARY The aim of this project is to deliver an information management plan for the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals that, when carried out, will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of CMS implementation, and ensure an effective contribution by CMS to harmonised reporting and information management by biodiversity-related treaties. The plan covers the CMS itself, and also provides advice relevant to the Agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe, the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas, the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement and the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area. It is important to appreciate what the information management plan is addressing and what it is not. x The information management plan is not a strategy for communicating information about the Convention and its associated agreements to a given audience, nor is it a plan for managing the business of Convention administration. Y The information management plan is concerned with the collection, management and dissemination of the scientific and management information that is necessary for effective implementation of the convention. The information management plan is based on a review of current practices and procedures, and an assessment of information management needs and capabilities. The project was initiated 3 December 1998 when the formal administrative requirements of UNEP were met, and the results are being presented to the Standing Committee in January 1999. Because of the short time available before the Standing Committee meeting, there will inevitably be shortcomings in the draft plan that will be addressed following the meeting. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION .u.......ccccccccscssscsssssscceccessccessecsccsscssccssssssscsscssceaseassnssncnasasensnssecsesecsecsscnsecsescesces 1.1 Background .............2.csecceceeeeeceececcesceecceersecsesensssseecsecesetesencensceseeneceercrrerecs | D IMIBIEEN® .cosscspoansonpsscesooodoondonopbuBosaEaddoBesdades0beos cnn cdo G9D00GsEdoRDoRaRNGOASGCaBoNODDECoNSS 1.3 ODJECtIVES ...2..022--22ee cscs eee eens ccnneeecencccceeceroeeeeceecceeterecsercnasssseesuscenccetaessnctens MEA COVETAGE a2 aoc oece cece en cdee-c see eotecseteaeccweseerccenectericceee seinaus aces msiermarnaedscmeeeneelitencse 1.5 Working methods .................::scsceccceeceneeeeeeecetececeseseeeccesscesecseeceesensteccecenaeeeas 2 ASSESSMENT OF INFORMATION NEEDG............:csccccsssssessescecsecscescseenecnecsssssassscnsensssensens Dil (CloyNy ETON ER? sooo cadonsoneeseenucusousosaosuocaononosansasoconas00q900s05DE9cDUDONDOBEAAsACApUnSDOOseNC 2.2 Conference reSOlUtions.................2cceceececceccecc esc ec cece ceeassecscceaeetentsnrensecccesesnerees 2.3 Strategy for the future development of the Convention ..............-...sseeeeeeeteeeeeeteeenes 2.4 Conference recommendations............2..2cesceee scence eee ee eee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeneeneeeseeeneeneeaeees 2.6 Roles of the Standing Committee ..................cceceec eee eeee nec eee eee ee ees eee eee eeeeeeeeeeeeenes 2.7 Roles of the Scientific Council ...............:cececece eee eee ee ee ee eee ee eee eeeeeneneeeseeseeeeenenees 2.8 Analysis of defined needs ...............:.:eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaeeeeeeeeecaeeeseeneeeenneeceneessogs 2.8.1 Analysis of Secretariat information requirements.........-.+--+0--00eereeee enter nent eens 2.8.2 Analysis of the information requirements Of PArtieS ........-..1.-0+00secveeeeeeeeeeeeees 2.9 Standard reporting formats ..............-.0cceseeeeeeeeeeec eee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeneeeeeeeeeeecenneeeneces 2.9.1 Format for reports from PATtieS ..........c11cceeceee cect ee cnet eee ee eee eee eee eee ene nenes 2.9.2 Format for proposals for amendment of Appendices ...........12+.01eeeevveeeeeeeeeeenes 2.9.3 Format for reviews of species “undergoing” concerted ACtiONS ..........---+++..++++- 3. ASSESSMENT OF THE INFORMATION NEEDS OF AGREEMENTS .............s:ssseeeeeees Bil JNSCIOTEVAIN eosnosoosesoecedrerosunobesussoscasosuatbonstodsnsdecduacacosodouubcdaueadobosnacacencbordgeae 3.1.1 AQreeMent teXt.........ccccccseccneeecneec reece eecc nessa eseaeeeaneeeeecceecouseeetecceessenenees 3.1.2 Agreement annex - Conservation Management PIAN.........-....++0001eseeeeeereneeeees 3.1.3 Resolutions of the Meetings of the PArtieS .........-.1:.11:1eeceeceec eee eee eee eee nee nes 3.1.4 Roles of the Advisory COMMiIttEe .........01.:cseecveee rece eee e eee e eee e ee eee eee neee net ees 3.1.5 Analysis of Secretariat information requirements...........-++.-0+0eceeeeeeerereeeee neces 3.1.6 Analysis of the information requirements of PartieS ...........---+00+00eeeeereeteee ees 3.1.7 Format for reports from PArtieS .........010c0ecseecvec nee ee eee een neceeee nee necense neces: 815) TEU COLRV ILS oonotudooncosonodsbedenadcooscde aabduunodsndbddssscnuadopdododsnencsucpeabadodgesena4oconod 3.2.1 AQTe€MeNt tEXt.........cceeccrecccseccneeeeeeenneeeeeeenecaneeeneseaeeceneeceteceeeeceneseeess 3.2.2 Resolutions of the Meetings of the PArti€S ..........+..1:c1eceeseevec neces nec eee eee eeenees 3.2.3 Conservation and management PLAN ...............csceere rere eer e nee e ees ee ee ee ne ne neces 3.2.4 Roles of the Advisory COMMIttCE ...........+1eceee eee ee cent eet e eee cnet nett e tent cee ees 3.2.5 Analysis of Secretariat information requirementt........--+.+-++ee00ece reece nett eeee anes 9 3.2.6 Analysis of the information requirements of PartieS .........+..-..100e000eeeeeeeeeeees 3.2.7 Format for reports from PATtieS ...........+.00ecveceerec nec nec nec ee eee ec nee eec eee nececeeces 9 33,8) JN BAW, casobosbooousdsobobonnododaaboaosaadubabandboooobananaopobabaonobabesnedoonsobedasagnodenae s8a0cce0 9 BL ANG AAAS UA Tegasoscscoocadoncpencoqanqedesedeec9dqoonccosEbdcacpadEoconspasdcanedadooOqaGBEOC 10 3.3.2 Agreement Annex III - Action PIAN..........0.0.0cccc cece eee c nc ne een e nett ee tener eeeeees 10 3.3.3 Analysis of Interim Secretariat information requirements ..........2-+201cee verse eee 10 3.3.4 Analysis of the information requirements Of PATti€S ...........00c0cceeeeeee eee ee neees 10 3.3.5 Format for reports from PArtieS ..........0c0cccc cece ec cce cence ene ee nent ne ne eee neeeenea ees 10 BZh INC COLSYAIMIS 4 ncnceonodobscsscscnonasoopdcqdscpoanscRadnevsdacan tas uqcHapnastenndaonbuUsdesopepagadaosc¢ 10 SCE NANG REALE (O Tiscodndeoscn0601008000440 9800 08os905480 90 nb abobosenoDacBadodoDoaeHbeseeseobae0o00% 10 3.4.2 Agreement Annex 2 — Conservation PION ............0ccccccnc recente nee ee eens nen ens 10 3.4.3 Analysis of Interim Secretariat information requirements ............+.+-+001eseeee eee 10 3.4.4 Analysis of the information requirements Of PAFti€S .............0.0c0eceeeeee ee ee tence I] 3.4.5 Format for reports from PAYrtieS .............cccccc cece eee een ene e nent eee tent et eeees I] 4. TYPES OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT ROLE .............ccscsssssssssscsseecseesesnesereseeeenees 12 Amleleistamanapementeseeeeereete ceecae rere Eee secre ee ee seee cise ceiecte ne ecis= erietelelelete ee octet eee eeres 12 4.2 Compilation, assessment and associated data management ...............-..seseeeeeeeeeee eee ee 12 4.3 Increasing access to available information.....................ececeeeeeeeee ec ee ee nent eeeeneeeenees 13 4.4 Building an information service from the component parts.............-...++- Perea rer ec iesocs 14 4.5 Linking information from multiple sources ...................cccceeeeeee nent nett ee ee ee ee eeeeeenes 15 AO Sime inbites OAM CS coooccocoancedsosedaqcdnsvcosccedeosbdsdasons so ndeGuauEEaBod ec euEEDEseccoodoodsGuace: 16 4.7 Relationship between the Convention Secretariat and Agreements ...................0s0eeeeee 16 5 REVIEW OF INFORMATION SOURCES .............cscsssssssssssssssssessssessssessssesseessseesscsenessensases 18 Sy JU PINS 1175) 016) 1 SosoedacaosdosoeeorenodcaasardbepanaosedancososaT SSE HEceoGunnoREonCeBEEeEHaaEodaooneaccucce: 18 5.2 Standard format species-specific information ..................cecccceeec cence eee eee ee ee eens eeeeees 19 SVSpACreement arty arepOrtsee scene te re eee eee aes eresie ste sieiserre on ssieteiele aise rareitettersle eee eee 19 S)e4b Biko el k)010) g SlaatiasoGabadanococéesdeakesdac decane sesoncded6 SoscROB Gen Ea SHERE EAS Ae NREPEN SAA orsnassoSs5s0c 20 6 OTHER POTENTIAL SOURCES .............sccsccsccssssscssscsssssssscssssssscssssescessessessessessessessesseseesees 21 6.1 International convention secretariats...............2:ceceeeeeeeee eee ceeeeececeneeeeeceneeeeeeeneeees 21 6.2 Regional conventions and agreeMentS.................:ecece cece ee eee e eee eee eens cece eeeeeeeeeneees 21 6.3 International NGOs specialising in particular groups of species .................0ceceeeeeeeeees 21 6.4 International NGOs specialising in particular habitat types................. 0c ceeeeeeeeeee ee eee 22 (625) Internationallexpenrtmetworkspeeeeeereeeee eee aerate eseer eee een eneeececccaeseaesce cceeee seer ee et eceee 23 6.6 Specialist information management orgamisatiOnS .................0..e cee ee ee eeeeeeeeeeeeeenees 23 6.7 Collaboration between information PprovideTS.................sceeeeceec ec eee ee eeeeeeeseeceneeeenes 24 6.8 Project managed by internationally active organisations ................. 0. ec eee ec eneeene cece ees 25 6: 9iCommonithread sets aaae ac ceecce eee ne eee aoe Sete Nemesis olsehs sleeve sates Move <0 dR ebeRiatie we Gee 25 7 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER BIODIVERSITY-RELATED TREATIEG..................00008 26 jluPeasibility, study o. 25 -cvo-csseaccatinenis sec cnns wer ce scebs cs cecsccencear sscukienaes + oatunceensusasaetnen nas 26 7.2 Development of a harmonised conventions information resOUrCe ..............0..cse cece ee ees 26 7.2.1 Harmonisation of convention web Sit€ CONLENL ........2....0.ccecececeeneneeeececeeeees 27 TPAD AN CATGTALTTGLITENY Preece oniariep cote ROC COBURG Soc Ge AACS ORE Acee Ser C CROC CERE Ee CREE CCEA 27 7.2.3 Development of a common Web Page..........1-.1.ccececeeceneee ence ence eeseeseuseeees 27 7.2.4 Development Of A COMMON th€SQUTUS ........2.20. 0.0 ececececece cence eee eee eneneneenenens 28 7.3 Streamlined national reporting to facilitate reporting and use of information 7.4 Development of a shared lessons-learned network ................:.0ceceeeeeeeeee eee eneeeeeees 28 7.5 Example: Relationship to the Convention on Wetlands ....................ccceeeeeeeeee eee eeees 29 f/eoiexample: Relationship toi CUDES\ ees... seaccise cries © sessment asics sieelote eiseie sioner serene eriiceeene a=. 29 8 USERS AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION. ...........cccssssssssssssscsssssscesseceesensssseseneseees 30 Goll WSs eta Coli oes seduobssessededsucsdpadadsousescHosanbasecousneancad cacceobadcuedonpesecoopomsucnstacmonad 30 Otel INN Ze (01 1101 esos ine aainmE bas acoabad ake ase decdepnccqusosadedecoSosece uacrae sacabacospsososadnoLoac 30 SHIP2ESCientifie COUNCIIEE Nake: cate menor cone eet eee eee Deseo ieee eee een eee 30 8.1.3 Standing Committee and Conference of the PArtieS ..............0.cccceeee eevee eeeenens 31 Clo 20h Lee aeae ede desanaccenratoobodcaodocasnacscesnaacounancosesassesce rarer adsncooacodsEdepsboaae 31 Soles) SGientistsiand (other, reSCAiCNETS va. macces cece nearest eee eels eee sss ces 31 SHIR OS OUECHS ors cnsceiore gain asi sc ie SARE oe ASO Eee Teese ae ase cose scice esc emeemeee ere cite 32 SeaDisseminattonummechanismS-ecrace cesses eeeeteeeseaeeeceae eels cos seins eee cisswiseccceeee se eecrec 32 8.2.1 Conference documents and infOrmation PADPETS ........20.0000ceevcenenc cence eeeenenenes 32 SDD OMEN INL ENALUNG cece sees cse see oot aoe eee eT Ee Saas oka ee Soe Ie eee eee 32 OR TASTU TRE a Rotpec enone mecRp ore don baacdise sth an ansaaaos aqanceecener casa snopansboctocadsueddodosueEce 32 9 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT NEEDS AND CAPABILITIES ............cscsscsssssssseeerees 33 9.1 Development of integrated databases ..................cececcec ec ee nec ec ee ee nec ec eens eeeenee tense ees 33 9.2 Development of web-based information S€rVICES................ceceeeecee ee eeneeeeeteeeeeeee tenes 33 9.3 Review of databases and services provided by Parties ..................ccececeeeec eee eeeeeeeees 34 9)_A) Iriya) TH STEYR O do cadscanpocsadodesscaenobbensbsousccouosduBecosgoda00doccussaRbasqucaaocacEadsHaNeR=coGS 34 10 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT PLAN ...........sscsccssssssssccessescsecsacsnssnscssesasssesecsecsersecseesess 35 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge http://www.archive.org/details/draftinformation99harr DRAFT 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Effective and efficient conservation action requires information on which to base planning and decision making. In implementing the Convention and related agreements, the CMS and agreement secretariats, Scientific Council, Standing Committee and all Contracting Parties use information to identify and plan actions that need to be taken, to monitor the effects of those actions, and to report on the consequences in various fora. If information is collected and managed in a consistent and co-ordinated manner, this will ensure that: information collected can be used for more than one purpose; information is only requested from Parties when necessary; information is not requested from Parties when it is readily available elsewhere; information from various sources is combined; information collection and management is more cost-effective; and decisions are taken with appropriate and adequate information. OOOoocOd The secretariats of the biodiversity-related treaties have recognised that they have an obligation to be as efficient and responsive as possible in managing and using information, and with this in mind, the Sixth Meeting on Co-ordination of Secretariats of Environmental Conventions, held under the auspices of the UNEP Governing Council, initiated a feasibility study for a harmonised information management infrastructure for biodiversity-related treaties. 1.2 Mandate The Strategy for the future development of the Convention, adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its Fourth Meeting in June 1994, implies the following priority actions relevant to development of an information management plan: Q improvement in information management and use in implementing the Convention Q increased availability and co-ordination of information on migratory species Q) increased collaboration with other biodiversity-related conventions A draft proposal on development of an information management plan for the Convention was submitted to the Conference of the Parties at its Fifth Meeting in April 1997 (attachment to UNEP/CMS/Conf.5.7.1) and discussed under Agenda Item 10a Harmonisation of the reporting system under CMS and related agreements (paragraphs 79-91 of the Report of the Fifth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties). The funds for development of the information management plan were approved by the Conference of the Parties (allocation of US$30,000 in budget line 2103), and in December 1998 UNEP endorsed the project proposal developed by WCMC and the CMS Secretariat for developing the information management plan. CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) 1 DRAFT 1.3 Objectives The information management plan is intended to provide impetus for improvement in the collection, management and use of the information necessary for effective implementation of CMS and its associated agreements. It should enable CMS to become an effective central agency for a network of internationally co-ordinated activities on migratory species. Ultimately this will lead to an improved ability to achieve the objectives of the Convention and each Agreement through co- ordination of reporting and information management activities. This will lead to: more cost-efficient information management; significant increase in available information to support biodiversity conservation; improved linkages between secretariats, and between secretariats and other major international programmes; reduced pressure on Parties through more efficient sharing of information; and increase in information available to Parties. Oo Ooo The information management plan provides clear guidance on the steps that need to be taken to improve the collection, management and use of the information necessary for effective implementation of CMS and its associated agreements. 1.4 Coverage Following discussion with the CMS Secretariat, the scope of the project was restricted to the Convention itself, to the two legally binding agreements established under Article IV(3) and Article TV(4) which are already in force: Q) Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas, (ASCOBANS) QO) Agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe (EUROBATS) and the two legally binding agreements established under Article IV(3) and Article IV(4) which are expected to come into force during 1999: Q) African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) Q) Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS) The Agreement on the Conservation of Seals in the Wadden Sea and the memoranda of understanding on Siberian Crane and Slender-Billed Curlew are not covered. 1.5 Working methods The following activities formed part of the project: review of information needs review of current information sources review of the relationship to other biodiversity-related treaties assessment of information dissemination requirements review of information management needs and capabilities preparation of the information management plan OOOOCO D CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) DRAFT Each activity involved review of written material and discussion with representatives of the CMS Secretariat and the secretariats of various agreements. The timescale of the project, and its timing over the holiday period (the contract was agreed by UNEP in December) meant that discussion prior to drafting the information management plan was less that might have been hoped. This will be rectified during review following the Standing Committee meeting in January 1999. It had also been intended that draft reports for each activity would be available for review by members of the various secretariats, the Scientific Council and the Standing Committee, prior to drafting of the information management plan. Again, this was impossible in the time finally available for drafting of the report for presentation to the Standing Committee in January 1999. CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) 3 DRAFT 2 ASSESSMENT OF INFORMATION NEEDS The initial paragraphs and the associated tables in this section (see Table 1) provide an assessment of what information is required for effective implementation of the Convention, and what additional information is desirable. Specifically it will: () Review the Convention and agreements (including conference resolutions and recommendations) to clarify current requirements. Q) Review with the secretariats and the Chairman of the CMS Scientific Council the programme of activities and the information required to implement it, including project work and development of agreements. 2.1 Convention text Table 1.1 provides an assessment of the information requirements implied by the 20 articles of the Convention. The implications for the Secretariat and for Parties are separately identified. 2.2 Conference resolutions Table 1.2 provides an assessment of the information requirements implied by the 38 conference resolutions. The implications for the Secretariat and for Parties are separately identified. 2.3 Strategy for the future development of the Convention Table 1.3 provides an assessment of the information requirements implied by the Strategy for the future development of the Convention annexed to Resolution 5.4. The priorities and actions covered in the annex to the earlier Resolution 4.4 have not been covered separately. The implications for the Secretariat and for Parties are separately identified. The Sixth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties will consider a revised strategy for the future development of the Convention, which will shortly be reviewed by the Standing Committee. Table 1.4 provides an assessment of the information requirements implied by the draft strategy at this preliminary stage of its development. 2.4 Conference recommendations Table 1.5 provides an assessment of the information requirements implied by the 12 conference recommendations. By their nature the information requirements of the recommendations are more specific, and although some of the activities will by now have been undertaken they are all included here as they are indicative of potential future information needs arising from conference recommendations. The implications for the Secretariat and for Parties are separately identified. 4 CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) DRAFT 2.6 Roles of the Standing Committee Table 1.6 provides an assessment of the information requirements of the Standing Committee implied by Resolution 2.5. For the moment it is assumed that it is the responsibility of the Secretariat to compile information required by the Standing Committee, which may not be true in all cases. 2.7 Roles of the Scientific Council Table 1.7 provides an assessment of the information requirements of the Scientific Council implied by Article VIII of the Convention, and Conference Resolutions 5.2, 5.5, 4.5, 3.4 and 1.4. In some cases these mandates are duplicative, and in some cases out of date, but all are retained in this table for clarity. For the moment it is assumed that it is the responsibility of the Secretariat to compile information required by the Scientific Council, which may not be true in all cases. 2.8 Analysis of defined needs This section takes the tables described in the previous sections, and provides an analysis of information requirements for both the Secretariat and the Parties in implementing the Convention. Specifically this section aims to: OQ) Summarise the key information needs identified by a review of the mandates arising from the Convention and the Conferences of the Parties. QQ Summarise the key information needs identified by a review of the mandates arising from various Agreements and their Meetings of the Parties. Q) Separate the information needs of the Secretariat and the Parties themselves. 2.8.1 Analysis of Secretariat information requirements An analysis of the information contained in Tables 1.1 to 1.7 covers all of the information requirements identified in the Convention text itself, in the Conference resolutions and recommendations, and in the strategy for the future development of the Convention. The requirements have been divided into four groups: QQ Simple lists - Table 1.8(a) Q) Assessments -Table 1.8(b) O) Conservation measures - Table 1.8(c) QO Information management activities - Table 1.8(d) These tables include a column which identified the likely sources of information (including the reports covered in sections 4.1.1 and 4.1.2), which is discussed in more detail in later sections. 2.8.2 Analysis of the information requirements of Perties An analysis of the information contained in Tables 1.1 to 1.5 covers all of the information requirements identified in the Convention text itself, in the Conference resolutions and recommendations, and in the strategy for the future development of the Convention. Note that this does not explicitly cover the information required for the Party reports and amendment to the appendices, which is covered below. The requirements have been divided into five groups: CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) 5 DRAFT Simple lists - Table 1.9(a) Assessments - Table 1.9(b) Conservation measures - Table 1.9(c) Reporting - Table 1.9(d) Specific taxa issues - Table 1.9(e) OoOooood As noted earlier, by their nature the information requirements of the recommendations tend to be more specific, and although some of the activities will by now have been undertaken they were included in the tables and the analysis as they are indicative of potential future information needs arising from conference recommendations. Table 3.5 on specific taxa issues arises solely as a result of taxa-specific recommendations. This report cannot effectively cover all sources of information at the national level, and restricts itself to information that is required from outside the country, where the Secretariat has a potential role in facilitating access to the information. 2.9 Standard reporting formats 2.9.1 Format for reports from Parties Table 1.10 identifies the agreed formats for the Party reports, both the initial comprehensive report and the updating report. The format is mandated by Conference Resolution 4.1. 2.9.2 Format for proposals for amendment of appendices Table 1.11 identifies the agreed format for proposals for amendment of the appendices, as mandated by Conference Resolution 1.5. 2.9.3 Format for reviews of species “undergoing” concerted actions Table 1.12 identifies the agreed format for reviews of species which are the subject of concerted actions, as set out in the annex to Conference Resolution 3.2. 6 CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) DRAFT 3. ASSESSMENT OF THE INFORMATION NEEDS OF AGREEMENTS The paragraphs and the associated tables in this section provide an assessment of what information is required for effective implementation of each of the Agreements covered, and what additional information is desirable. Specifically it will: QO) Review the Agreements (including resolutions of the Meetings of the Parties) to clarify current requirements. QO Review with the secretariats the programme of activities and the information required to implement it, including project work. This section also provides an analysis of information requirements for both the secretariats and the Parties in the Agreements described. Specifically this aims to: O) Summarise the key information needs identified by a review of the mandates arising from the Convention and the Conferences of the Parties. QO Summarise the key information needs identified by a review of the mandates arising from various Agreements and their Meetings of the Parties. OQ) Separate the information needs of the Secretariat and the Parties themselves. 3.1 ASCOBANS The analysis for the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas can be found in Table 2. 3.1.1 Agreement text Table 2.1 provides an assessment of the information requirements implied by the eight paragraphs of the Agreement. The implications for the Secretariat and for Parties are separately identified. 3.1.2 Agreement annex - Conservation Management Plan Table 2.2 provides an assessment of the information requirements implied by the conservation management plan annexed to the Agreement. Resolution 1.2 of the Meeting of the Parties prioritises and interprets this plan, but only adds one new item relevant to information needs. The implications for the Secretariat and for Parties are separately identified. 3.1.3 Resolutions of the Meetings of the Parties Table 2.3 provides an assessment of the information requirements implied by the 12 resolutions of the Meetings of the Parties. The implications for the Secretariat and for Parties are separately identified. CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) 7 DRAFT 3.1.4 Roles of the Advisory Committee Table 2.4 provides an assessment of the information requirements of the ASCOBANS Advisory Committee implied by Resolutions 2.5 and 1.5 of the Meeting of the Parties. For the moment it is assumed that it is the responsibility of the Secretariat to compile information required by the Advisory Committee, which may not be true in all cases. The Advisory Committee has established a Working Group on Marine Pollution to maintain a “watching brief” on information and developments in this area. 3.1.5 Analysis of Secretariat information requirements An analysis of the information contained in Tables 2.1 to 2.4 covers all of the information requirements identified in the Agreement and its Annex, and the resolutions of the Meetings of the Parties. The requirements have been divided into four groups: Q) Simple lists - Table 2.5(a) QO) Compilation and assessment based on information from Range States - Table 2.5(b) QO) Accessing experience - Table 2.5(c) QO) Information management activities - Table 2.5(d) These tables include a column which identified the likely sources of information (including the reports covered in sections 3.2.7). 3.1.6 Analysis of the information requirements of Parties An analysis of the information contained in Tables 2.1 to 2.4 covers all of the information requirements identified in the Agreement and its Annex, in the resolutions of the Meetings of the Parties. Note that this does not explicitly cover the information required for the Party reports, which are covered in the next chapter. The requirements have been divided into four groups: QO) Simple lists - Table 2.6(a) Q) Assessments - Table 2.6(b) Q) Conservation measures - Table 2.6(c) O) Reporting - Table 2.6(d) This report cannot effectively cover all sources of information at the national level, and restricts itself to information that is required from outside the country, where the Secretariat has a potential role in facilitating access to the information. 3.1.7 Format for reports from Parties Table 2.7 identifies the agreed formats for the Party reports, both the tri-annual national report and the brief annual report. The format for the latter is mandated by Resolution 1.1 of the Meeting of the Parties, while the former has been drawn up recently by the Secretariat working with the Advisory Committee. 3.2 EUROBATS The analysis for the Agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe can be found in Table 3. 3.2.1 Agreement text Table 3.1 provides an assessment of the information requirements implied by the 14 Articles of the Agreement. The implications for the Secretariat and for Parties are separately identified. 8 CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) DRAFT 3.2.2 Resolutions of the Meetings of the Parties Table 3.2 provides an assessment of the information requirements implied by the 15 resolutions of the Meetings of the Parties. The implications for the Secretariat and for Parties are separately identified. 3.2.3 Conservation and management plan Table 3.3 provides an assessment of the information requirements implied by the 18 articles of the Agreement. The implications for the Secretariat and for Parties are separately identified. 3.2.4 Roles of the Advisory Committee Table 3.4 provides an assessment of the information requirements of the Advisory Committee implied by the various resolutions of the Second Session of the Meeting of the Parties. For the moment it is assumed that it is the responsibility of the Secretariat to compile information required by the Advisory Committee, which may not be true in all cases. 3.2.5 Analysis of Secretariat information requirements An analysis of the information contained in Tables 3.1 to 3.4 covers all of the information requirements identified in the Agreement and the resolutions of the Meetings of the Parties. The requirements have been divided into four groups: QO Simple lists - Table 3.5(a) Q) Compilation and assessment based on information from Range States - Table 3.5(b) Q) Accessing experience and sharing information - Table 3.5(c) QO Information management activities - Table 3.5(d) These tables include a column which identified the likely sources of information (including the reports covered in sections 3.2.7), which his discussed in more detail in later sections. 3.2.6 Analysis of the information requirements of Parties An analysis of the information contained in Tables 3.1 to 3.4 covers all of the information requirements identified in the Agreement and the resolutions of the Meetings of the Parties. The requirements have been divided into four groups: QO) Simple lists - Table 3.6(a) LJ Assessments - Table 3.6(b) C) Conservation measures - Table 3.6(c) QO Reporting - Table 3.6(d) This report cannot effectively cover all sources of information at the national level, and restricts itself to information that is required from outside the country, where the Secretariat has a potential role in facilitating access to the information. 3.2.7 Format for reports from Parties Table 7.5 identifies the agreed format of national reports, as mandated by Resolution 7 of the 2™ session of the Meeting of Parties. 3.3 AEWA The analysis for the African Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement can be found in Table 4. CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) 9 DRAFT 3.3.1 Agreement text Table 4.1 provides an assessment of the information requirements implied by the 18 articles of the Agreement. The implications for the Secretariat and for Parties are separately identified. 3.3.2 Agreement Annex III - Action Plan Table 4.2 provides an assessment of the information requirements implied by the action annexed to the Agreement. The implications for the Secretariat and for Parties are separately identified. 3.3.3 Analysis of Interim Secretariat information requirements An analysis of the information contained in Tables 4.1 and 4.2 covers all of the information requirements identified in the Agreement and its annexed Action Plan. The requirements have been divided into four groups: Simple lists - Table 4.3(a) Compilation & assessment based on information from Range States - Table 4.3(b) Accessing experience - Table 4.3(c) Information management activities - Table 4.3(d) Oooo 3.3.4 Analysis of the information requirements of Parties An analysis of the information contained in Tables 4.1 to 4.2 covers all of the information requirements identified in the Agreement and its annexed Action Plan. The requirements have been divided into four groups: QO) Simple lists - Table 4.4(a) L) Assessments - Table 4.4(b) () Conservation measures - Table 4.4(c) QO) Reporting - Table 4.4(d) 3.3.5 Format for reports from Parties No format for reports has yet been agreed, as the Agreement is not yet in force and a Meeting of Parties has yet to take place. 3.4 ACCOBAMS The analysis for the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area can be found in Table 5. 3.4.1 Agreement text Table 5.1 provides an assessment of the information requirements implied by the 17 articles of the Agreement. The implications for the Secretariat and for Parties are separately identified. 3.4.2 Agreement Annex 2 — Conservation Plan Table 5.2 provides an assessment of the information requirements implied by the Conservation Plan annexed to the Agreement. The implications for the Secretariat and for Parties are separately identified. 3.4.3 Analysis of Interim Secretariat information requirements An analysis of the information contained in Tables 5.1 and 5.2 covers all of the information requirements identified in the Agreement and its annexed Conservation Plan. The requirements have been divided into four groups: 10 CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) DRAFT Q Simple lists - Table 5.3(a) QO Compilation and assessment - Table 5.3(b) Q Accessing and sharing information - Table 5.3(c) QO Information management activities - Table 5.3(d) 3.4.4 Analysis of the information requirements of Parties An analysis of the information contained in Tables 5.1 to 5.2 covers all of the information requirements identified in the Agreement and its annexed Conservation Plan. The requirements have been divided into four groups: Q) Simple lists - Table 5.4(a) () Assessment - Table 5.4(b) Q) Conservation measures - Table 5.4(c) Q) Reporting - Table 5.4(d) 3.4.5 Format for reports from Parties No format for reports has yet been agreed, as the Agreement is not yet in force and a Meeting of Parties has yet to take place. CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) 11 DRAFT 4. TYPES OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT ROLE A review of the tables derived in the previous sections provides an indication of the types of information management task that is required for implementation of the Convention and related Agreements. Similar tasks will require similar solutions. Where all of the Agreement secretariats have a similar information need, there is clearly an advantage in that need being met in a harmonised manner rather than independently by each Agreement secretariat. 4.1 List management A series of lists required by the Secretariat and Parties are identified for implementation of the Convention and the Agreements. In most cases these are already maintained using simple databases or documents that are added to regularly. Dissemination of the information is achieved through paper reports and the Convention and Agreement websites. There are several associated issues: a) Lists should be maintained as one copy and not as multiple copies. Any modification of information in a list should be made once only. b) There are good reasons for integrating data, and the basic lists often provide the most obvious point of access. For example, from lists of species on the appendices to information on status and distribution, and from lists of Parties to information contained in national reports. c) There are opportunities to link lists in providing information. For example, the range state information can be used to link the lists of Parties and the species lists from the appendices. d) One of the lists (List 3 in Table 2.5) could be implemented as an open list to which anyone can add meetings. This could be achieved cost-effectively as a web-based list to which users (or a restricted list of users) could add further meetings. Most of the lists required by Parties are derived from the lists provided by the secretariat. The one exception is the compilation of a list of NGOs appropriate for collaboration in CMS implementation at the national level (List 3 in Table 1.9). 4.2 Compilation, assessment and associated data management A significant number of the tasks identified require the compilation of information from Parties and other sources, and presentation of the information in a manner that is useful for those involved in implementation of the Convention and its agreements. While compilation of information does not require any particular expertise, unless the information is provided in standard formats, this can cause problems for those responsible for compilation. There are three potential solutions: 12 CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) DRAFT a) Provide adequate guidelines and a standard format to be used by those providing the information, so that the information is received in a relatively standard form and can be readily incorporated into whatever compiled format is required. b) Provide a database into which the information can be entered, either as a stand-alone database, the contents of which can then be downloaded into a central database, or a web-accessible database where information can be entered directly. c) Ensure that the compilation is made by someone with appropriate expertise to take decisions on the information when necessary. Clearly the first option is the simplest, and the most frequently used (for example the use of standard formats for Party reports). The second option, creation of databases, is only necessary when the information collection task is regular and ongoing (for example the creation of a metadatabase by ASCOBANS for information on post-mortem analyses). Assessment follows on from compilation of information, but requires expertise in the subject matter to actually take the task on from information collection and compilation to assessment and recommendation based on the compilation. An example would be the systematic review of appendices, which requires information compiled from multiple sources and then the input of experts familiar with the Convention and its aims and a range of species conservation issues. 4.3 Increasing access to available information There is an obligation on Parties to make information that they hold on migratory species available to other Parties. In many cases the types of information that should be made more widely available are explicitly identified, and mechanisms such as Party reports are already working to ensure that this happens to some extent. But this is not always sufficient. Increased access to information can be ensured in one or more of the following ways: a) Compilation of the material into a publication or report that is copied to all Parties (or Range States) on a regular basis. b) Placing information on a website, where it can be accessed by those who may be interested (noting that the website will require advertising to ensure that those who need it can find it). c) Making available a list of focal points for specific types of information, who can then be contacted by those requiring information, when they require it. There is an obligation on the secretariats to facilitate access to information that will further the implementation of the Convention and Agreements. In some cases this can be achieved through the circulation of Party reports, but may not be sufficient for all types of information. Increased access to information can be ensured in one or more of the following ways: d) Providing advice and guidance on the types of material that Parties should be making available, and the mechanisms for disseminating or improving access to it. e) Be a clearing house for all information on migratory species provided by Parties and others, ensure that all relevant material is passed on to Parties and other Range States. This could be done reactively or proactively. CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) 13 DRAFT 8) h) Develop a library service with all Parties and other Range States providing copies of relevant information, which is then available for use by others under whatever arrangements seem appropriate. Developing a metadatabase of information sources to facilitate access to those sources. The aim of this is to facilitate the process of finding information. Types of information source would range from publications to databases, and from contact addresses to web sites. Developing WWW tools for more rapid location of relevant information on the Internet, such as virtual libraries, focused web search tools, or distributed databases. Note that there may be an opportunity for CMS to take a lead in developing an Information Network on Migratory Species on the Internet (see paragraph 4.6). Whatever the form of delivery of the information, it is important to always maintain a record of its source, means of compilation, and whatever has been done with it since. There are standards that can be adopted for achieving this. 4.4 Building an information service from the component parts Compilation of information from a variety of sources was discussed above. More specific is the juxtaposition and integration of information from a range of sources so that it becomes both more meaningful and more accessible. All of the information described in the following paragraphs is already readily available to the Convention Secretariat. For example: a) List of species and countries: Within the Convention on Migratory Species there are two basic b) c) d) 14 lists, species, which are on either Appendix I or Appendix II, and countries which can be Parties and/or Range States. A database that integrates the two lists, and identifies the links between them can produce Range State lists for each of the Appendices, or for any given country or group of countries identify which listed species are found within those countries. This also facilitates revision and update, and it is noted that the Range State information currently requires review. Standard format Information on species: There are also two processes ongoing that require the compilation of information into a standard form - amendment of the Appendices, and the “concerted action” agenda. There are differences in the information collected (see Table 1.11 and Table 1.12), but they generally cover the same issues. Of the 76 species on Appendix I, 35 have been added as amendments, and 16 are currently covered by the resolutions on “concerted actions. Information has therefore been compiled on 31 Appendix I species since 1994, and significantly more on Appendix II species. This information is not readily available currently (it is only available in conference papers), but could form the basis for an information source on migratory species, particularly if this information was linked to the lists of species. Party reports: Each triennium Parties provide a standard format report (Table 1.10) which describes action being taken by each Party to implement the Convention. While these are available to Parties and others as a compilation, they are not made widely available. Linking each report to the list of countries would increase the accessibility of the information. Party reports are also likely to include information of direct relevance to status and conservation of species, which needs incorporating in or linking to the information described in the previous section. Project Reports: The Convention secures funding for a range of projects on migratory species, and each of these contain valuable assessments and recommendations. These assessments (not currently in a standard format) could supplement the standard format information described CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) DRAFT above. In many cases the reports are specific to certain countries and make recommendations specific to certain countries. This information could be linked to the country lists described above. If these component parts and no others were made available over the CMS website, for example, this would drastically increase the accessibility of the information. In order to facilitate the process of making information more widely available (section 4.3), and integrating it into an information service of some kind (section 4.4), each of the reports identified above should be requested in an electronic format, and guidelines for submission of electronic reports should be developed. This would cover as a minimum: Party reports Proposals for amendment of the appendices Reports on “concerted action” species Project reports Oooo 4.5 Linking information from multiple sources The Secretariat already has available information from a range of sources, and can make this more widely available to others in a systematic manner. The Secretariat could also lead (or at least facilitate) a process to make information from multiple sources more widely available. This has already been touched on in Section 4.4. For example: a) Many other agencies have information on species available in one format or another, which could supplement what has been compiled for CMS. For example, of the species on Appendix I, most are listed in the IUCN Red List and described in Birds to Watch, IUCN’s Species Survival Commission has prepared action strategies and plan which cover a number of others (see section 6), as has BirdLife International, and the Bern Convention in the context of its Action Plans for Globally Threatened Birds in Europe. CMS could work with these and other international agencies and programmes to make significantly more information available on each of the listed migratory species. b) Other international conventions compile relevant information from a number of sources. For example there are ## species from Appendix I also on CITES Appendix I or II, and similar information on status is available (see Table 7). Linking this information with that described on species in the previous section would add to the information resources available (see section 6). c) Many other web sites have information on or relevant to migratory species. CMS is in a position to take a strong lead in development of an Information Network on Migratory Species which would foster the development of information sources on migratory species on the Internet. If the Secretariat were to begin such a process, and to advertise it widely, it could lead to an increasing amount of information becoming available on the Internet, so adding to the pool of information available. Note: The initiative on the Global Register of Migratory Species also plans a series of web links, and this needs to be further investigated after the Standing Committee meeting. CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) 15 DRAFT 4.6 Sharing experience A key area in international co-operation is not only the sharing of information, but the sharing of experience. The methods include most of those discussed in the previous section, but there is one additional aspect of dealing with sharing experience, the identification of "best practice" and the sharing of information on what works in what circumstances, and what does not. Information on experience is probably best shared as a series of "case studies” in a relatively standard format, with comments from experts or expert committees on the relative merits of different methods and experiences, and feedback from those who have tried them. This is best managed as an ongoing process, as the learning process is constant. While information can be shared through publications, workshops, individual websites, focal point networks, and all the other mechanisms listed above, there is significant merit in development of a web-accessible information resource on case studies and best practice that can be added to and commented on by all users. This also links to recommendations of the process which is trying to harmonise information management within and between the global biodiversity-related treaties (see paragraph 6.4). Information can also be shared in a less structured manner using techniques such as email list servers and/or some form of web forum. 4.7 Relationship between the Convention Secretariat and Agreements Agreements concluded between Range States are the primary vehicle for conservation of species listed on Appendix II of the Convention. There are two corollaries to this: Q) That the Agreement secretariats are responding to the information needs associated with the species covered by their particular Agreements Q) That there is a range of Appendix II species not currently covered by the Agreements The information management roles of the Agreement Secretariats are similar to those already described in the previous paragraphs, so this section concerns itself with the interface between the Convention Secretariat and the Agreement secretariats, and with the gaps not currently covered by Agreements or Agreements in development. It is noted that there are attempts to harmonise the content and implementation of Agreements. Table 5.1 identifies the implied information requirements of the guidelines for agreements set out in Article V of the Convention. While not all of these information requirements are clearly laid out in the Agreements studied (see later sections), they are illustrative of the types of information thought to be required for implementation of Agreements for migratory species. The implications for the potential Agreement secretariats and Parties are separately identified. Discussion is also currently ongoing to develop Guidelines on the harmonisation of Agreements. Table 5.2 identifies the implied information requirements based on the papers submitted to the last Conference of the Parties (UNEP/CMS/Conf.5.10). There are several areas that may require attention: a) The CMS Secretariat is required to report to the Conference of the Parties on inter alia the conservation of species listed on both the Appendices. The CMS Secretariat is also expected to ensure that information on the conservation of migratory species is available to other 16 CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) DRAFT biodiversity-related treaties, and to other relevant international organisations and agreements (see section 7.3). As a matter of course the CMS Secretariat has access to the information required on Appendix I species, through Party reports and other sources. The situation is less clear for Appendix II species. Information on some Appendix II species is contained in reports from the Agreement Secretariats to the Conference of the Parties, but these are not in a standard format. Steps should be taken to clarify the situation by creating a standard format for Agreement Secretariat reports to the CMS Conference of the Parties which ensures that the necessary information is presented, and also ensuring mechanisms to report on the other listed species that are not covered by any form of Agreement. b) If the CMS Secretariat develops more proactive mechanisms for compiling information on migratory species, such as developing a clearing house role, a library service or an information network, this should be developed in collaboration with the Agreement Secretariats. c) Ifthe CMS Secretariat developed tools for information sharing, such as a series of mechanisms for sharing experience, such tools should be developed so that they are of benefit not only to the Convention itself but to the Agreements as well. Such an integrated approach would be more cost-effective, and would be a clear step in harmonisation of Agreement implementation. Feedback suggests that currently the co-ordination between the CMS Secretariat and the agreement secretariats is not as efficient as it might be. Increased sharing of information resources could be a mechanism for achieving increased collaboration. CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) 17 DRAFT 5 REVIEW OF INFORMATION SOURCES This section aims to provide an assessment of how the information needs described in the previous sections are currently being addressed, and the adequacy of these mechanisms. Specifically it will: Q Review national reports currently available for the more recent meetings of the CMS COP and for the other agreements, and assess their format, coverage and adequacy. QO Review a range of other reports commissioned or requested by the secretariats. 5.1 Party reports Each Party is obliged to regularly provide reports on implementation of the Convention in a standard format (see Table 1.10), and those received are bound and provided to Party members and others as required. This is a major means of collecting information on implementation, and provides a useful record of action and achievement. However, while the reports generally follow the agreed format, there appear to be potential shortcomings in the current process: a) The reports vary considerably in the level of detail provided (for example, the reports submitted in 1997 range from three pages to 30 pages long). This could be tackled by one of two ways, by providing more specific instruction on content, or by preparing and circulating a sample report (which could be for a real or fictitious Party). b) As the reports update previous reports, it is necessary to review not only current reports but also past reports to ensure a complete picture of implementation of the Convention by the Party in question. However currently the reports are not available in a single place, and the information on any given Party is not integrated in any way. This problem could be tacked at least in part by making all reports (including past reports) available on the CMS website. c) Not all information that is needed for effective implementation of the Convention is provided in the reports, nor is it necessarily in the most useful format. For example, the information provided in most reports on conservation measures is necessarily in summary form and is not therefore in a form that could be used by another Party in its own implementation of the Convention — they would need to make contact with those who drafted the report and find an appropriate contact. Information on contacts could have been provided in the first place. d) The reports contain useful information that often remains buried. For example, the Swedish National Report for 1997 has two useful paragraphs on the conservation status of Haliaeetus albicillia, but there is no obvious mechanism for incorporating this information into any ongoing review of the status of this eagle, nor for communicating the information to others who may be interested — it is their responsibility to find it. e) Party reports do not provide a holistic view of implementation, and such a review requires more input than can be achieved from a series of national reports. A holistic review would also 18 CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) DRAFT require input from international sources and experts which would place national contributions in context. This suggests that review of national reports should also take account of information from other sources. It is worth noting that pressure to harmonise information management and reporting for global treaties is resulting in proposals from several quarters that reports should be provided in standard format on the Internet to facilitate location and sharing of information. The Commission for Sustainable Development that organised the UNCED meeting provided standard forms on diskette on which the report was to be completed, the Climate Change Convention has developed a website “report” for a fictitious country — “Solaria” . CMS needs to consider these approaches. The submission of Party reports in electronic format will help to ensure further standardisation and wider access, and will facilitate the process of integration of information. More long term, the direction appears to be towards national websites that incorporate information necessary for reports to international treaties, from which the treaty secretariats can access the information that they require. CMS should consider the role that it could play in fostering this approach. 5.2 Standard format species-specific information Information compiled by Parties when recommending amendment of the Appendices follows the format presented in Table 1.11. For the last two Meetings of the Conferences of the Parties, 149 proposals were made. While these texts vary in length and quality, and while not all of the species were added to the appendices, this is a substantial body of information on the status, distribution and conservation of a particular category of species. As a result of conference resolutions, there are also 16 Appendix I species that are currently undergoing review as part of the programme of developing “concerted actions”. There is a standard format for these reviews, which is similar to the format for amendment of the appendices (Table 1.12), but the reviews have not been done systematically and have not always been presented in a written format. There are also individual projects that are resulting in the reviews of status of particular species, for example recent projects on the status of certain species in South America. This information is not being presented in a standard format currently, but there is no particular reason why it should not be. It seems sensible to ensure that all of this information on individual species collected in the name of the Convention is presented in a single format, and made more widely available. It can then be linked more easily to information from other non-CMS sources. The development of a single standard format is recommended, and it may be sensible to discuss the format with other agencies and programmes working on species. 5.3 Agreement Party reports These currently only exist for ASCOBANS and EUROBATS. The ASCOBANS reports (Table 2.7) are concerned almost exclusively with conservation measures, while the EUROBATS reports (Table 3.7) place greater emphasis on the status of bat species and populations. This reflects the differences in approach thought to be necessary in conserving populations of small cetaceans and bats respectively. CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) 19 DRAFT Perhaps because of the more specific nature of the Agreements, the national reports reviewed seem more homogenous and accessible. However most of the points made above about the CMS Party reports also apply. The EUROBATS Party reports are currently available on their website. All of the information contained in the Agreement Party reports is relevant to CMS implementation, and to attempts by CMS Parties to develop and conclude other Agreements. Consideration needs to be given as to whether Agreement Party reports should be made more widely available to CMS Parties as a matter of course. Note: Consideration will be given in the next draft of this review to the lessons for CMS Party reports of the Agreement reporting process 5.4 Project reports The eighth meeting of the CMS Scientific Council approved 28 projects, with total estimated approved budgets of over US$650,000. There is currently no standard mechanism for sharing the results of these projects so that information and experience can be shared, although the secretariat is about to launch a technical publication series which is expected to be a vehicle for the wider dissemination of material arising from project reports. If the Convention were to initiate a process of ensuring wider access to information on the status of migratory species, consideration should certainly be given to update of status information on species in a standard format as part of all relevant projects. For example, it seems likely that over two-thirds of the projects would involve some sort of review of status of species at some stage. Also, all projects where valuable lessons are learned should provide case studies for any future mechanism for sharing experience. Examples in the current list would be projects on marine turtle tagging or aerial surveys of marine turtle nesting sites. To maximise the usefulness of the reports resulting from projects, clear requirements for the production of the report must be specified within the TOR, including the necessity of providing electronic copies of the reports. These might include the request that an executive summary with bullet points be drawn up for providing a widely accessible summary of the findings and recommendations. 20 CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) DRAFT 6 OTHER POTENTIAL SOURCES There is a wide range of organisations used to a greater or lesser extent by the Secretariat and certain Parties in augmenting information that is already available through Party reports and other official reports. The following are examples of the type of organisations; the list is not meant to be comprehensive. CMS needs to ensure that, once its information needs are clearly specified, it can develop relationships with these organisations and others like them to make specific information available. 6.1 International convention secretariats There are two global biodiversity-related treaties which compile information that may be of particular relevance to CMS. With the Convention on Wetlands there are significant common interests in some key areas concerning migratory waterfowl, flyways, and the status of key sites. With CITES there are certain common areas of potential interest concerning the status and distribution of species that are on the appendices of both conventions. These issues are covered further in Section 7 on relationship to other biodiversity-related treaties. The Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission discusses issues of direct relevance to CMS, and the documentation for these meetings contains useful information. However the information and the documentation is only currently received when members of the CMS secretariat attend the IWC Scientific Committee meetings. This is an example of an intergovernmental process where CMS should ensure that it automatically receives relevant papers, and is informed of any developments directly relevant to their interests. 6.2 Regional conventions and agreements Note: It has not been possible to complete this section in time for the version of the draft going to the Standing Committee. It is anticipated that the section would refer to the following: = Bern Convention, EC Directives, Cartagena, SPREP/APIA, HELCOM/ORSPA, CCAMLR, CAFF, as examples of regional agreements = Protocol to Barcelona Convention as example for a single species Ballerina and UNEP SPA/RAC at Tunis as examples of regional information service/centre 6.3 International NGOs specialising in particular groups of species The BirdLife International partnership holds a significant amount of information on birds and conservation measures necessary for bird species, and has access to considerably more information through its networks. Examples of types of relevant information product include: Q Birds in Europe: Their conservation status Q Important Bird Areas in the Middle East BirdLife is in the process of developing its information management capacity, and the new databases will include fields for seasonal population counts at global, regional, sub-regional, CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) 21 DRAFT national and site levels, and information about the method and quality of count data (this is all linked to information necessary for assessment of status using the IUCN threat categories and criteria). CMS should discuss with BirdLife the database that they are developing and potential collaborative work which would provide CMS with better information on bird species listed on the Appendices. At the same time, any information compiled for CMS purposes needs to be integrated with the information that BirdLife is collecting and managing. BirdLife is also currently working on Birds to Watch 3, the next edition of their review of the world’s threatened bird species. This volume will have for each bird species paragraphs on characteristics, ecology/habitats, threats, range/distribution, and conservation action, and for each species there will be range maps. All CMS Appendix I species will be reviewed, so BirdLife will be in a position to report later this year on the current conservation status of listed bird species. Many Appendix II species will no doubt also be covered. The extent to which the preparation of this information is or could be linked to preparation of reviews for “concerted action” species and proposed amendments should also be jointly reviewed to ensure there is no unnecessary duplication of effort, and to ensure that all relevant information is utilised. The BirdLife Partnership has some websites (for example in South Africa, Finland and Japan), but these are not currently co-ordinated in any way, and are mainly descriptive in nature. With the development of the information management capacity, and with the increased emphasis on networking and communication, the Internet will be used more strategically by BirdLife in the future. As these developments take place, CMS and BirdLife should identify how the Internet can be used to increase the availability of information on migratory birds. 6.4 International NGOs specialising in particular habitat types Wetlands International holds or has access to a significant amount of information on waterfowl, wetlands and flyways. They have also long worked on wetlands inventories, and the process of wetlands inventory, and on conservation measures for waterfowl and wetlands. Examples of types of relevant information product include: QO) Directory of Wetlands in Oceania, Middle East, etc Q) African Waterfowl Census Report Q) International Shorebird Surveys (Western Hemisphere) Q) Asian Waterfowl Census Information in these types of product is directly relevant to listed species on both appendices. CMS should discuss with Wetlands International, the information that they are collecting, and their long terms plans for review and maintenance of this information. The aim should be to develop working practices in both organisations that ensure the sharing of relevant categories of information, and in the future the development of joint information services based on this information. See also section 7.5 on the relationship to the Convention on Wetlands). Wetlands International is also working on a Global review of wetlands inventories and other general information on global wetland resources. Not only will this provide an overview of the information available, but will also look at the criteria used in national and international inventories, and provide advice on future inventory processes. CMS may want to review with Wetlands International how the information and the criteria relate to listed species. Wetlands International has also produced Bibliography Of Wetland Creation And Restoration Literature. This type of product may be very relevant to action by CMS to share information on experience in conservation measures, and CMS may want to explore further the availability of 22 CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) DRAFT bibliographic information on relevant conservation measures, and whether these bibliographies or catalogues are being maintained. Wetlands International are also working on a Flyways Atlas of Anatidae Populations in Africa and Western Eurasia, which will provide descriptive text on the species covered, and maps of their migration routes. This project has already been discussed within the context of AEWA, and links are being made between the AEWA website and the parts of the atlas that are on the Wetlands International website. The Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) links wetland and associated upland sites essential to migratory shorebirds in a voluntary, non-regulatory program of research, training, and collaborative effort for habitat management, environmental education, and protection. One of its five goals is to compile, analyse, and disseminate information on shorebird distribution, migration, habitat, and biology in the Western Hemisphere. The relevance of this information to the needs of CMS should be assessed in collaboration with Wetlands International. 6.5 International expert networks The IUCN Species Survival Commission and its various specialist groups provide an extensive network of expertise and access to a substantial range of information. SSC is in the process of designing information systems that will significantly improve their ability to organise the information available in the network. Examples of types of SSC information product include: Q) IUCN Red List of Threatened Animal Species QO) The Cranes: Status survey and conservation action plan IUCN and a range of other organisations including BirdLife International, Conservation International and WCMC are currently reviewing the processes by which the Red List of Threatened Animal Species is compiled, and at least two meetings have taken place. IUCN has also just appointed a “red list” officer, whose responsibilities include the co-ordination of red listing programmes at national and international levels. CMS should establish a dialogue with this process, probably through the new red list officer to identify how this might relate to CMS needs, and how CMS information and information sources might be useful to the red listing process. The IUCN Species Survival Commission has been working for some time on development of a Species Information System (SIS), and a preliminary version has been evaluated. SIS has seven basic modules, systematics, population, observation, geographic, threat category, conservation action and information sources. If CMS has not already discussed this new database with SSC, then steps should be taken to do so, to identify where there might be opportunities for future collaboration. Various SSC Specialist Groups have interests of direct relevance to the Convention and/or Agreements. These areas of mutual interest should be clearly identified, so that information and experience can be shared in a systematic manner. It is assumed that to some extent this is already happening in an ad hoc manner through interested individuals. 6.6 Specialist information management organisations The World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) specialises in the location and management of information relevant to biodiversity conservation, and in developing and maintaining information services that support others in implementing action relevant to biodiversity conservation. In carrying out this work, WCMC collaborates closely with all of the organisations identified above (see also Section 7). CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) 23 DRAFT WCMC regularly supports CMS under contract through the development of specific information products, and is discussing other potential projects. In addition to this current study, this work includes the following: Q) Analysis of marine turtle status and distribution Q) Preparation of country profiles for potential CMS Parties QO) Review of CMS Appendices QO) Review of range state information for listed species WCMC has developed a prototype Integrated Species Database on the Internet, which is a cross- tabulation of information on IUCN Red List species, and the appendices and annexes of CITES, CMS, and the EC WildLife Trade Regulation, with range state data. It is intended to add the EC Birds and Habitats directives and the Bern Convention later this year. This database is also linked interactively to the information contained in BirdLife International’s Birds to Watch. There is obvious potential to either link this information to any database developed for CMS, or to use the data table behind this information service as the basis for a CMS database and information service on the Internet. It would be relatively straightforward, for example, to add links to the CMS species reviews discussed earlier (section 4.4). Note that it is also possible to retrieve information from the database directly, without going through the WCMC data query pages, so a link could be made direct from the CMS website to, for example, a table of information on European bats. WCMC also has experience in development of tools that assist in the location of information elsewhere on the Internet. For example the World Heritage Information Network developed in collaboration with the World Heritage Centre provides focussed search across those web pages that are know to contain information on World Heritage sites. WCMC has also developed a Protected Areas Virtual Library in collaboration with the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas. This experience is relevant if CMS decides to develop an Information Network on Migratory Species on the Internet. CMS should explore further with WCMC the ways in which WCMC can support the Convention and Agreement Secretariats in their work, and also how WCMC can help increase the support provided to Parties to the Convention and Agreements. 6.7 Collaboration between information providers The Biodiversity Conservation Information System (BCIS) is not an organisation, but an agreement or partnership among 12 organisations and programmes working with information relevant to biodiversity conservation (including the four organisations listed above). The aim of the partnership is to increase collaboration and reduce duplication of effort in the collection, management and use of information relevant to biodiversity conservation amongst the 12 organisations. BCIS is in the process of developing procedures and protocols to be applied by the organisations concerned, and will in the future turn more attention to the information products and services that such a powerful consortium could be providing. BCIS will develop in a more focussed manner, and probably more rapidly, when implementing collaborative projects, and several pilot projects are in development. It has been suggested that a pilot project on the integration of information on migratory species in support of CMS might prove a valuable pilot project, and this idea will be explored with the BCIS Steering Committee in February 1999. Within Europe, Euring (the European Union for Bird Ringing) ensures co-operation on all aspects of scientific bird ringing, and is therefore important in monitoring migration patterns. As early as 24 CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) DRAFT 1966 Euring devised a standard coding system for ringing recovery data to encourage the exchange of information between different national ringing centres. This code is now used by all national ringing centres and allows the easy transfer and analysis of data from many different sources. While CMS will not want to replicate anything being done by Euring, it may want to ensure that the lessons learnt by Euring are transferred to other parts of the world, and perhaps also to other species groups. 6.8 Project managed by internationally active organisations The field projects of organisations such as the World Wide Fund for Nature, or the Snow Leopard Trust can provide information of direct relevance to the Convention and its Agreements, but in most cases there are no mechanisms to ensure that that information is received by the Secretariat. The CMS Secretariat needs to make arrangements with such organisations such that they are informed of any relevant projects and receive copies of appropriate reports. With proper negotiation it should be possible to also arrange for the receipt of information from the projects in the most appropriate format for the Convention’s needs (such as a standard species format). The Global Register of Migratory Species (GROMS) aims to summarise state of knowledge on migratory species in a standardised relational database, with fully referenced information on species, vernacular names, migratory behaviour, habitat, threats, protection status, bibliography, addresses of monitoring organisations and experts. Maps of distribution and migratory routes would also be included. This is being prepared by the Museum Koenig in Bonn, in co-operation with the CMS Secretariat. Note: There are clearly important links between this initiative and future developments of information management within CMS, but these have not yet been assessed. 6.9 Common threads Common to all of these categories of source is the need for the Secretariat to make arrangements with the various programmes and organisations to share information much more widely, and hopefully in a more structured manner. This is in the interests of all of the programmes and organisations. It is recommended that CMS establish a list of organisations with which it wants to establish direct integrated links, and begin the process of negotiation to identify what synergies there are, and what duplication of effort can be avoided. These discussions will continue after the Standing Committee, so that the process is further forward by the next Meeting of the Conference of the Parties, and more specific recommendations can be made. It is assumed that CMS will also establish a list of organisations which it wants to share information with in a structured manner, so for example, whenever WWF carries out projects on a particular list of species (presumably those on the appendices), they automatically inform the CMS Secretariat, and share information. The CMS Secretariat should also identify what WWF (for example) would want in return. CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) 25 DRAFT 7 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER BIODIVERSITY-RELATED TREATIES Building on the work already carried out as part of the Feasibility study for a harmonised information management infrastructure for biodiversity-related treaties, this section explores further the ways in which CMS can contribute to streamlining of information management and national reporting. Specifically it will review the opportunities for CMS to contribute to and benefit from the existing and proposed information collection and management activities of other biodiversity- related conventions. This might include, for example, exchange of specific categories of information with CITES, or with Ramsar. 7.1 Feasibility study The five biodiversity-related treaty secretariats and UNEP commissioned WCMC to undertake a Feasibility Study for a harmonised information management infrastructure for biodiversity-related treaties. The aim of this study was to identify opportunities for harmonising information management, and responded to the realisation that the secretariats could collaborate more closely to gain synergies, avoid duplication and reduce the burden of reporting carried out by the Parties to the conventions. The Feasibility Study involved the Secretariats of the: QO Convention on Biological Diversity Q Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora QO) Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals QO) Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat Q Convention Concerning the World Cultural and Natural Heritage The Feasibility Study considered effectiveness and efficiency in the gathering, handling, disseminating and sharing of information, and identified three programmes of work to improve information management. Each of these is discussed further in the three following sections. Q Development of a harmonised conventions information resource Q) Streamlined national reporting to facilitate reporting and use of information O) Development of a shared lessons-learned network Recognising the need for broader synergies, a follow-on study was recommended to involve the other Rio treaties and regional agreements. 7.2 Development of a harmonised conventions information resource Since the feasibility study was completed, information managers from the five biodiversity-related treaties have met to discuss implementation of issues raised in the study report. Emphasis is being given in the first instance to steps that can be taken relatively easily by the secretariats concerned to facilitate wider access to information resources that each already has available. 26 CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) DRAFT 7.2.1 Harmonisation of convention web site content In order to facilitate use of convention web sites, it was recommended in the feasibility study report that each site provides a consistent minimum set of features. This is not intended to restrict the creativity or freedom of individual secretariats, but to improve location of information. Convention information managers agreed that the list of “Recommended minimum web site features” provided in the report and the table derived from it by the CMS Secretariat which analysed current web site content, should be revised and used as the basis for future development of convention web sites. While this has few implications for the present report, the list of minimum web site features includes: Decisions in force Status of Parties Reporting requirements List or index of available documents Oooo and future targets include: QO) List or index of available documents Q) All national reports and updates Q) All official lists or records Note that this deals with increasing access to information that already exists in the format in which it already exists, and not a significant change in what is currently being done. 7.2.2 Metadatabase The report recommends that a metadatabase be developed to indicate what information convention secretariats hold and where it is located. The metadatabase would be implemented on the web, following standard protocols and software, and would essentially consist of digital versions of the “cover sheets” of all convention documentation available in a searchable form, with additional information on availability of the full document. The purpose of the “cover sheet” is to provide standard information for all documents submitted by contracting Parties and generated by the secretariats across all five conventions. The recommended minimum content for the cover sheet is similar to that currently used by some of the conventions. Consistency in the use of terms is essential to effective cross-convention searching (see below). This activity will require additional work by the CMS Secretariat on entering information on available documents into the metadatabase when it is developed. However the metadatabase will facilitate access to information held by other convention secretariats. 7.2.3 Development of a common Web page The development of an inter-convention web site and search engine was foreseen by the feasibility study report as a logical follow-on to harmonised web sites and metadatabases in each of the secretariats. The inter-convention web site would be a single point of entry — in the sense of a gateway, rather than data entry - to the convention web sites. A search engine would enable users to interrogate and retrieve information from the metadatabase covering the five conventions. The Convention information managers see a web-based, common entry point for the five biodiversity-related conventions as a positive development for the future, and a first version has already been developed by the CBD Secretariat based on the list of recommended minimum web site features (see section 7.2.1). CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) 27 DRAFT Again, note that this deals with increasing access to information that already exists in the format in which it already exists, and does not imply a significant change in what is currently being done. 7.2.4 Development of a common thesaurus The feasibility study recommends adoption of a standard multilingual thesaurus so that searching for keywords can be accomplished across the five conventions. The information managers agreed that this is a useful exercise and are proceeding with development of a list that will be used in organising and indexing information, particularly on the convention web sites and in the metadatabase. 7.3 Streamlined national reporting to facilitate reporting and use of information Streamlining of national reporting to biodiversity-related conventions is necessary both to reduce potential duplication of effort, and to increase potential synergies. It is recognised that the requirement for Parties to report to many different international instruments and programmes can be burdensome, and that there is a need to streamline and rationalise this process. There are four activities that the feasibility study identifies as being necessary: Q) Review and clarify reporting requirements of each convention Q) Prepare an integrated handbook of reporting requirements Q) Pilot test the handbook Q) Build capacity in national biodiversity information management Initially the most crucial stage is reviewing and clarifying the reporting requirements of each convention, and then comparing the requirements for one convention with another and seeing how the needs relate (and where the gaps are). CMS therefore needs to be reviewing the reports it is currently getting through both the Convention itself and the Agreements, and ensuring that these reports adequately cover information needs and are appropriately integrated, so that it can join the cross-convention review with its needs already assessed. This is covered to a large extent in the current report (section 4.7). Also relevant here is the importance of access to the information contained in national reports, and recommendations on this are also made in this report. 7.4 Development of a shared lessons-learned network Each convention is learning lessons about implementation of conservation on the ground that could usefully be shared. The objective of this recommendation of the feasibility study is to encourage the sharing of experience from case studies, whether positive success stories or examples of what to avoid. It could, for instance, include examples spanning field projects in species re-introduction, experience on invasive species, habitat rehabilitation through to policies and guidelines for sustainable use. There main activities are likely to be: Q) Select lessons-learned from existing secretariat documents () Develop prototype lessons-learned web site Q) Establish links to lessons-learned of other agencies Q) Link lessons learned network to CBD Clearing House Mechanism Again the crucial stage for CMS is the first, the compilation of case studies - preferably in a standard format (unfortunately not yet defined). This is particularly important for CMS and its associated agreements, given the number of instances that mechanisms to share information have come up as an important type of information management activity (see Section 3). This is not to say that lessons learnt for bats are relevant to dolphins, but that the information on lessons learnt could be managed using the same or similar tools. 28 CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) DRAFT 7.5 Example: Relationship to the Convention on Wetlands Many migratory species use wetlands, and it is therefore inevitable that a convention adopted for the conservation of wetlands covers sites that are of crucial importance for the conservation of migratory species. Based on a review of the papers made available to participants at the 6" meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (Brisbane, Australia, 1996), the following information appears to be directly relevant to the implementation of the CMS: QO) Descriptions of sites important for migratory species, amongst others, following a standard format, including more thorough assessment of threatened sites (Montreux Record), and Resolutions VI.1 and VI.13 on continuation of the development of this information. Q) Report by Wetlands International summarising revised population estimates for birds (relevant for identifying importance of wetlands using Ramsar criterion 3c) and Resolution VI.4 on further development and use of the data. QO National reports on implementation of the Convention, prepared to a standard format, which identify relevant research, experience and information sources. Of more interest, but less obvious from the COP papers reviewed, is the compilation of information on experience in wetlands management which may be directly relevant to management of habitats for migratory species. 7.6 Example: Relationship to CITES By the nature of the two conventions, each of which was adopted to protect species that are threatened, there are inevitably a number of species listed on the appendices of both. Based on a review of the papers made available to participants at the 10" Conference of the Parties to CITES (Fort Lauderdale, USA, 1994), the following information appears to be directly relevant to the implementation of the CMS: OQ The Animals and Nomenclature Committees are charged with developing and maintaining standardised lists of animal names, and identifying standard references for adoption by the Conference of Parties. Q The Animals Committee is charged with reviewing and assessing all biological and trade information on Appendix II species. Q Studies on significant trade in Appendix II species carried out by expert organisations on behalf of the CITES Secretariat. Q Proposals for transfer for amendment of Appendices I and II, prepared to a standard format defined by Resolution 9.24 (Annex 6). In particular the last-mentioned item includes compilation of information on status, distribution and knowledge of particular species, and equates with the information provided by CMS Parties in proposals for amendment of appendices (see Table 1.9). The formats of the proposals are compared in Table 7.1, and the close parallels between the two are obvious (and presumably iniended). CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) 29 DRAFT 8 USERS AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION This section aims to identify who requires what information, and how it will be delivered to them. Based on the review of information needs, we identify what mechanisms are currently used, and what mechanisms will be used in the future to ensure that information reaches those who need it, in the form in which it is required. This will include review of the current web sites. 8.1 User groups The key user groups can be identified as the following: 8.1.1 Secretariat The Secretariat requires information for a wide range of purposes (largely identified in Table 1.8), and to service all of the users identified in the following sections. Priority has to be given necessarily to the information needs of the Parties, the Scientific Council, the Standing Committee and the Conference of the Parties. In the past the primary source of information has been the Parties themselves, and to a more limited extent a few expert organisations. The Secretariat has recognised the need to be more organised in accessing and using information, and to make more long term arrangements for collaborating with a range of expert organisations to supplement the information compiled from Parties. The current report is a further step in the process of reviewing and revising the compilation, management and use of information by the Secretariat. 8.1.2 Scientific Council Table 1.7 attempts to identify the types of information that would be required by the Scientific Council members, given the various mandates identified. In deriving this list the assumption was made that it is the role of the Secretariat to support the Scientific Council in taking decisions or making recommendations by providing supporting information. In fact this is probably rather a simplification, and in reality the members of the Scientific Council often make recommendations based on their own experience. However, it is true to say that the more information available to the Scientific Council, the more robust will be the recommendations that are made. So, for example: a) If a catalogue of ongoing research into migratory species was to be developed based on compilation of information from Parties and other organisations, the Scientific Council would be better able to make recommendations on research and the co-ordination of research, as mandated by Article VIII. b) Information on the conservation status of listed species is required in order to provide lists of species requiring special attention (Resolution 5.2), so mechanisms to better organise and access information on listed species would be invaluable. 30 CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) DRAFT Any information provided to the Scientific Council to support their work is usually provided as documents sent in the post to identified individuals, information on whom is stored in a contacts database maintained by the Secretariat. Electronic copies of the documents have not in the past been made available. 8.1.3 Standing Committee and Conference of the Parties The Standing Committee and the Conference of the Parties essentially require the same information, in order to review implementation of the Convention on a periodic basis, and to take decisions about future implementation of the Convention. This information is in most cases prepared by the Secretariat, by the Scientific Council or by Parties, or by other bodies reporting to the Conference such as the Agreement Secretariats. The exception is information papers prepared by expert bodies such as Wetlands International. In all cases the information is made available as printed documents sent in the post to identified representatives or contact points, information on whom is stored in a contacts database maintained by the Secretariat. Electronic copies of the documents have not in the past been made available. For the next Conference of the Parties, it is planned that the papers will for the first time be made available in advance on the CMS website, as is already happening for the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention on Wetlands. The World Heritage Convention also makes papers available on the Internet in advance, but these are not publicly available and a password is required. 8.1.4 Parties The Parties to the Convention need information both from within their own territories, and from the Secretariat in order to effectively implement the Convention. The current report does not deal with former need except to list the types of information needed (Table 1.9). In summary, Parties need information which allows them to prioritise action (for example conservation status of species and populations), information on the experience of others (for example the identification of conservation measures required for listed species), knowledge of the action of other Range States, and so on. In practice this information has reached Parties in the past though national reports, and through conference and information papers, all of which are sent by mail once every three years. Other information may be referred to in the CMS newsletter, but information is not made available systematically between conferences. With the increasing use of the Internet, there are opportunities for this to change drastically, and this and other proposals made in this report would increase the ability of Parties to access information. The corollary of this is that Parties would also be expected to provide information to others on a more systematic basis. 8.1.5 Scientists and other researchers In practice CMS has not seen scientists and specialist organisations as users of information, but as providers of input to reviews and assessments. This is fair enough, but does not recognise the potential for vast increase in available information if CMS were to develop its role (directly or indirectly) as a focal point for information services on migratory species. If CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) 31 DRAFT CMS proactively fosters increased access to information on migratory species in a strategic manner, many scientists and others working on migratory species will then use such a mechanism to also share the information that they have, creating an increasing pool of information for CMS. 8.1.6 Others A range of other users access general information on migratory species either from promotional literature or the CMS website. Such users might include educators, students, and other members of the “general public”. While this report is not specifically concerned with such users, it would be sensible to bear their potential needs in mind as any new dissemination mechanisms are developed. For example, if the information on the web site is developed significantly, then educational aspects of the information might be considered. 8.2 Dissemination mechanisms The key dissemination mechanisms can be identified as follows: 8.2.1 Conference documents and information papers Information content of these documents varies very widely, and while some documents are focussed on narrow issues and have no life beyond the meeting they were prepared for, others contain valuable information that should receive far wider circulation. This has been discussed elsewhere in this report. Conference papers are not currently available on the Internet, with the exception of some of the conference reports and the resolutions and recommendations. However there is an intention to make all of the conference documents for the 1999 meeting available on the CMS website. Providing conference papers on the website will increase access to the information contained within them, but consideration will need to be given to how this information is organised so that users can easily access the information that they need even if they are not familiar with the language and protocol on international meetings, and the associated numbering of papers. Consideration needs to given on a regular basis to the information content of conference documents and other information papers, and whether they should receive a wider circulation in some format (such as in the new technical publication series). 8.2.2 Other literature While a range of project and other reports are generated as part of the implementation of the Convention, these are not generally made widely available and the information that they contain is limited in its use as a result. The Secretariat intends to develop a new technical publications series which will increase access to much of this information, and should also consider placing the reports on the CMS website. 8.2.3 Internet At present the CMS website includes a lot of information about the Convention itself, and the Agreements, but provides relatively little information about migratory species (apart from which ones are listed). Note: This section needs completion foliowing a thorough review of the current CMS websites, and how these relate to other existing websites (and proposed websites) on migratory species. 32 CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) DRAFT 9 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT NEEDS AND CAPABILITIES The intention of this section is to address the issue of the information management techniques necessary for managing and disseminating the information required. In particular it should review the existing information management infrastructure within the CMS and agreement secretariats, and assess the capacity for its future development. 9.1 Development of integrated databases In fact initial discussions with representatives of the secretariats suggests that their current information management capacities are relatively limited in terms of both hardware and software, and in terms of capacity and experience. This will be explored more thoroughly following the advice of the Steering Committee. All of the Secretariats have the means to manage relatively simple databases and to handle documents. However, none has the resources necessary themselves to build and manage large integrated databases. QO) Following agreement on priorities and the availability of resources, there is a need to review the more detailed information needs of CMS and the relationship between these specific needs and the more general reporting needs of other Secretariats to allow the development of a specification. Work already done in this study and as part of the harmonisation process will provide a broad framework for this, but will need to be carried out in greater detail. CMS will need access to experience in developing user specifications. QO) The user specification needs to be converted into a technical specification, including the structure and relationship (including a so-called entity relationship diagram) of the resulting databases. The output would be a specification to allow the development and implementation of the database and associated screens and reports. CMS will need access to experience in the design and specifications of databases and be able oversee the technical implementation of the database. QO) It is likely that in developing the database, information from a range of different sources will be required. Once it knows what information it required, CMS will need to negotiate with the organisations concerned to ensure that it has access to the information. This may include arrangements for the sharing of information, and may require modification of the user and technical specifications. Q) To implementation of the database, CMS will need access to experience of the appropriate technology and development methodologies to deliver the database. 9.2 Development of web-based information services The current CMS-related web sites are generally on the servers of other organisations, although staff of the secretariats have enough familiarity with simple html to prepare web pages and PDF CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) 33 DRAFT documents. However this experience does not extend to the development of web-based metadatabases and distributed databases that would be the most efficient mechanisms for sharing much of the information discussed in previous sections. Q) There are an increasing number of metadatabase tools available for use over the Internet that are “packaged” in a form that could be used by CMS. These include, for example, GELOS and the tools being developed by Blue Angel Technologies — both based on the appropriate international standards. CMS will need access to experience of this technology if it is to implement web-accessible metadatabases. Q) Various existing websites demonstrate the experience that is being developed in making information from databases in a range of locations available over the Internet. For example the Species 2000 website can be used to search dynamically across the species databases held on a number of other websites. The CGIAR System-wide Information Network for Genetic Resources (SINGER) has a database on its website which periodically “collects” information from other database on the web. Again, CMS will need access to this experience if it is to implement distributed databases on the Internet. 9.3 Review of databases and services provided by Parties Within the current review we can assess the potential for collaboration with databases and information services of international organisations and programmes, but cannot assess the potential contribution from the national level. Only the ASCOBANS Secretariat has carried out a systematic review of databases managed by Parties, and this only for post-mortem results. It would seem a valuable next step for all the secretariats to assess what relevant databases and websites are currently managed by Parties, so that a rational assessment can be made of what already exists and what can be built upon. 9.4 Implementation The paragraphs above identify some of the key experience required for implementation of much of what is described in this report. It is not essential for this experience to in-house, and CMS may prefer to contact out certain tasks, or to work in partnership with other organisations which already have this experience. 34 CMS Information Management Plan (Version 3.0) DRAFT 10 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT PLAN Based on the activities already described, and on the feedback received from the secretariats and others on previous drafts of the report, the plan of action set out on the following pages is proposed. At present this Information Management Plan has not itself been reviewed in this format by either the Secretariat or any member of the Scientific Council or Standing Committee. It is presented as a draft for critical review and comment, and may change substantially before the Conference of the Parties based on the feedback received. One of the difficulties in deriving a plan of action is that in many cases there are several options of how to carry given actions out, and that a decision on which course of action to take depends on priorities, resources available and the relative interests of the different secretariats and other organisations. Note that with many of the actions proposed, they do not necessarily need to be carried out by the Secretariats, but could be performed on their behalf by Parties or appropriately qualified organisations. Finally, while WCMC as information managers can make recommendations, it is up to the Secretariats and the Parties to identify what is useful in their own particular circumstances. Note: A number of the actions included in the following table will be carried out at least in part over the months following the Standing Committee, and before the next meeting of the Conference of the Parties. This will allow more specific recommendations to be made later in the year. Note: It may be clearer if the recommended actions that follow are placed in the text of the document as well in the next version of this report, linking the discussion more clearly to the proposed outcome. The views of the Secretariat and Standing Committee on this suggestion would be welcomed. 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Ssasse 0} YJOQ ‘sadInos pouurld ysIH JoyIO WOT] UONeUIOJU YIM IJ9yIIB0) syiodaI Aye MIIADY (BE “SONSSI JY} JO [Je IaA0o Ajoyenbape | suIstURYIOU MOIAOI Ie[NdoI SUIOSUO ysipy Aay) yey) ainsua 0} ‘s}1odar Ayeg JO s]Us}UOD oy MOTADY (LE $ UONUsAUOD ay} dAoIduy fo Spaau Mnavdva SMIUPD poaT aaisaq | aadnosay | jualin | Apoug uoyay aayj2alqo uel JUowsseuey UONeUIIOJUT SIO Yeid so1sads AIO}VISIU UO YOIEISII JO UONLUIPIO-09 19}e913 dINsUd 0} uInIpay ‘soroads AO}eIZIUI UO YOIvaSaI BUIOZUO Jo Ia\sIsaI v afIdWIOD (gp *APOAIIP S[ENPIAIPUT puke suOTesTUeZIO ayetidoidde pue sanieg Aq payepdn pure 0} poppe aq ues yoy uwnIpsy ‘soroads AIOJVISIUI UO SBUTIIIUT JO ISI] paseq-qam ke dojaasq (Lp ‘s]UdUID0I3y 1O/PUe UONUIAUOD dy} JO UONeIWSWa]du 0} saIO}UI Jo seare ADY UO UOIVUIIOJUI Jo ysiy QBULYOXS PUL UOISSNOSIP IO} CIO} GoM JO SIOAIAS ISI] YSI[qeIsy (OF *(sue99e190 [BUS Jo Yoyed-Aq donpal 0} sanbruyo) pure apyor) Burysty Jo UONeOTJIpoul ay} se YOns) sdUaTIadxe ysIq Jo Sulseys ay} Jo} vare Ajiiotid & uo joafo1d jojId e ino AleD (Cp * aonjoeid jsaq,, pure oye asueI Joyo pue SOIPNS 9SVd,, UO UONPUIIOJUI 0} Ssad0e BUIseaIOUI pue suT[Idw0S salieg useMjoq Ienoied JO} swuesZ01d v dopaaap 0} ‘satjead) paje[ai-AlISIOATPOIg 19i}0 ul ‘aouatodxe Suleys UsIH JO S}elIeJAINNS oY) PUL ‘selIvJOINNg JUSUIOAISY WIM YOM (ph Jo} suistueysou dojaaoqd Gynouffip fo spaau Mnavdva SMOUPD poay aaisaq | aainosay | quasing | Auoug uondy aayoalqo eles eis | Bs ey a ued juoureseueyy woneUTIO;UT SW yeiq Sa 2 *(2A0ge passndsIp saseqeiep Iayjo Jo JUaUOdUIOD ve ATqissod) siaded pur s}10da1 pouurtg | wipe SIND UO asequiepeioul e Jo JUauIdojaAap ay} 0} aInqiNUOD (ZS ‘ButjIOdaI paye1so}Ul SIOW JO a[NPOW SID & oIMITsUOD pynom pue SID 01 o1fioads are Jey} sjustaIINba1 asoy) AJUApI 01 SuIdyoY SUIOSUO ysIH ‘sjuowoiinbas suijiodai Jo MatAal pasodoid ay} 0} ainqinUOD (1S “SIY} DAaTYOR 0} paiinba aq pjnom yeyM pue ‘sajis qoM Sutjiodai pue Jeuoneu SuIsn auOp aq p[nod SO 0} BuljJodal [euOeU YoIyM 0} JUSWIOZLURU UONEWIOJUL wWMIpay,_ | JUa1x9 oy) ssasse 0} sassao01d SutjJodai Aye SIND OU) MIIADY (OS jo uoneziuouliey jo $}SOIOJUL OY} UT ‘syeIIe}OIN0S *BZuniodos pue JUoUIOSeURU UOTeUIIOJUI JO UOTeZTUOWIeY Oy) UONUSAUOD 19Y]}0 UsIH 0} aINqIUOS Apearye Jey} aAoge palsi] suo asoy} yUoWTZTdWY (6h | YMA UOTeIOge][OD aseaIOU] aynaiffip fo spaau Anovdva SMOULID poaT aaisaq | aainosay | juating | Auo0ug uonay aayzalqgo Table I - Assessment of information requirements Table Title Table 1.1 Convention text Table 1.2 Conference resolutions Table 1.3 Strategy for the future development of the Convention Table 1.4 Draft Strategy for the future development of the Convention Table 1.5 Conference recommendations Table 1.6 Roles of the Standing Committee Table 1.7 Roles of the Scientific Council Table 1.8 Analysis of Secretariat information requirements (a) Simple lists (b) Assessments (c) Conservation measures (d) Information management activities Table 1.9 Analysis of Party information requirements (a) Simple lists (b) 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