Across oceans, seabird flyways gain recognition — and a chance at protection

About this episode

Tammy Davies discusses the recognition of marine flyways for seabirds and their conservation potential.

The routes taken by migratory birds, known as flyways, often cross vast expanses of ocean. Six of these marine flyways have now been formally recognized by the U.N.'s Convention on Migratory Species, at the suggestion of scientists who published their findings on these flyways in the British Ecological Society's Journal of Applied Ecology . Tammy Davies, a co-author of the paper and marine science coordinator at BirdLife International, joins the Mongabay Newscast this week to discuss the conservation potential of the six flyways, and what the formal recognition by CMS does and doesn't do. "It's a fantastic communication tool for highlighting these amazing journeys that the seabirds undertake and the fact that multiple people, stakeholders, and countries need to come together and everyone can do their bit," Davies says. She notes that 151 bird species rely on these migratory routes, which connect 1,300 key biodiversity areas that the birds regularly use. Having nations focus on protecting these areas, and reducing bycatch from fishing, are just some of the ways countries can coordinate conservation efforts along these routes. But this effort requires shared responsibility across…

People in this episode

Host: Mike DiGirolamo

Guest: Tammy Davies

Topics covered

• seabirds
• migratory routes
• conservation
• marine flyways
• biodiversity
• international cooperation

Keywords

• seabird flyways
• migratory birds
• conservation efforts
• biodiversity areas
• bycatch
• marine science

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BirdLife International, U.N.'s Convention on Migratory Species, British Ecological Society

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