Migratory Species & Connectivity
OBIS reveals critical ecological corridors for whales, turtles, fish, and other migratory marine species, supporting international cooperation on conservation across jurisdictions. By aggregating occurrence data from tracking studies, research surveys, and institutional collections, OBIS provides the cross-border spatial picture that migratory species management demands.
Supports: CMS, BBNJ Agreement, KMGBF Target 4
State of knowledge on marine connectivity gathered by migratory marine species — a comprehensive review drawing on OBIS data to map cross-boundary habitat use.
Mapping migratory corridors to design ecologically coherent cross-border MPA networks
Implemented
Within the MPA Europe project, OBIS-derived species distribution models characterised the migratory corridors and connectivity pathways of mobile marine species across European seas. These analyses directly informed recommendations for ecologically coherent MPA networks that maintain functional connectivity for wide-ranging species across national boundaries.
Region: European seas
Challenge/issue: MPA networks designed within national boundaries often fail to protect migratory species that regularly cross jurisdictions, leaving critical corridor habitats unprotected between national systems.
Impact: Science-based recommendations for MPA connectivity incorporated into the design of a coherent European MPA network, supporting functional habitat continuity for migratory species.
OBIS inputs: OBIS occurrence data, species distribution models, regional datasets (European seas)
Providing the scientific basis for high-seas corridor designation under BBNJ
Potential use case
OBIS occurrence data on migratory species in areas beyond national jurisdiction can provide the scientific basis for designating ecologically significant marine areas and connectivity corridors under the BBNJ Agreement's area-based management tools.
Region: High seas and areas beyond national jurisdiction
Challenge/issue: Designating area-based management tools under the BBNJ Agreement requires spatially explicit scientific evidence of ecological significance — yet high-seas biodiversity data is sparse and fragmented across institutions.
Impact: Aggregated, globally accessible occurrence data providing the empirical foundation for BBNJ area nominations and high-seas corridor protection.
OBIS inputs: OBIS API, open-ocean occurrence datasets, migratory species tracking records
Identifying high-risk overlap zones between migratory megafauna and fishing effort
Potential use case
By mapping the predicted presence of migratory megafauna — sea turtles, sharks, marine mammals — against the spatial footprint of fishing effort, OBIS data can identify high-risk overlap zones and inform targeted bycatch reduction measures.
Region: Global, with priority in tropical tuna fisheries and highly migratory species corridors
Challenge/issue: Bycatch of threatened migratory megafauna is driven by spatiotemporal overlap with fishing fleets that is predictable but not systematically mapped or acted upon.
Impact: Spatially explicit bycatch risk maps enabling fisheries authorities to design targeted, evidence-based mitigation measures for high-overlap zones.
OBIS inputs: OBIS occurrence data, species distribution models, long-term tracking datasets
Underpinning joint monitoring programmes for species crossing multiple EEZs
Ongoing
Standardised, OBIS-compatible occurrence data shared across national nodes can underpin joint monitoring programmes and harmonised management plans for species crossing multiple exclusive economic zones, supporting regional agreements under the Convention on Migratory Species.
Region: Global, with priority in regions with active CMS agreements
Challenge/issue: Countries managing shared migratory species often lack the interoperable, cross-border data infrastructure needed to coordinate monitoring and demonstrate joint progress under CMS obligations.
Impact: Harmonised, nationally contributed occurrence datasets enabling shared monitoring baselines and joint reporting for transboundary migratory species.
OBIS inputs: National node datasets, OBIS data standards, cross-node data sharing infrastructure
