The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) provides a global framework for protecting migratory species, yet freshwater fishes remain underrepresented in the CMS appendices. Strengthening links between research, science communications, policy development and CMS implementation can generate synergistic effects that enhance conservation of migratory freshwater fishes.
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Acknowledgements
The authors were supported by the Science & Technology Fundamental Resources Investigation Program (grant no. 2025FY101302), the Chinese Academy of Science (E529S101), the Leibniz Competition project ‘Freshwater Megafauna Futures’, and PlusFish Philanthropy. S.C.J. considers this a contribution to DANUBE4all, a project of European Union’s Horizon Europe innovation action programme (grant agreement no. 101093985).
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Appendix I and Appendix II of CMS: https://www.cms.int/species
CMS instruments: https://www.cms.int/cms-instruments/agreements
The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CMS (CMS COP15): https://www.cms.int/cop15docs
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS): https://www.cms.int/what-are-migratory-species-and-what-role-cms
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He, F., Hogan, Z., Jähnig, S.C. et al. The untapped potential of CMS for migratory freshwater fishes. Nat. Rev. Biodivers. 2, 4–6 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44358-025-00115-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44358-025-00115-z
