Hunting for migratory birds
A major topic currently gaining traction in the European hunting media is the issue of EU recommendations to ban or limit the hunting of migratory birds. This is not a new issue at the European or national level, but the methodology for assessing the sustainability of hunting has become more complex in recent years. In the past, the decline of a species was sufficient to call into question the continued viability of hunting. Now, a combined assessment of species biology has been used to identify the most important factors in population dynamics and a rapid assessment of bag sustainability to identify potential overharvesting. This has resulted in a rapid assessment of hunting sustainability, which now requires expert follow-up to verify the results. This process is important for understanding what actions are required under European legislation. The new methodology has shown that hunting does not pose a problem for the majority of species (approximately 70%), largely because hunting is already limited, making its impact sustainable at the flyway level. Of the species marked in red (with potential for overharvesting), most are anatids, but further analysis showed that most of them have increasing or stable wintering population trends.
Wintering on the rise
This population-level scientific approach to assessing the sustainability of bird hunting indicates that only a couple of species are of concern. In particular, if we exclude those with increasing wintering trends, only the common pochard in one part of its range (the population in north-east/north-west Europe) is experiencing a moderate decline at flyway level. This species is already subject to legal restrictions under the AEWA and is a candidate species for an international action plan. On a positive note, therefore, the Bern Convention and the Birds Directive have worked well to regulate bird hunting in Europe. Indeed, hunting has been significantly regulated across Europe in recent decades. However, the same European laws are not effective in conserving the habitats of many breeding birds in Europe. While most of the reported duck species have a secure wintering status in the EU, with increasing trends, they have an unsecure breeding status in the EU due to poor conditions of breeding habitats in the EU.
The hunting point of view
It is also important to add that the EU is at the edge of the breeding range of many species, with only a part (often a small part) of their breeding population present in the EU. From a hunting perspective, the majority of ducks hunted are those that breed in Russia and migrate here during the winter. It is important to note that stopping hunting will not solve the threats and pressures affecting these birds that breed in the EU. The actions needed are mainly the restoration and proper management of wetlands together with the protection of nests. If well planned, some key European policies can make a difference in the coming years. Take for example the Eurasian wigeon, a species with an increasing wintering trend in the EU and stable at flyway level. The population breeds mainly in Russia (see map below), where it is considered to be increasing, and it is the main source of wigeons wintering in the EU. The EU wintering wigeon population is currently at around 300% of its 80s levels. However, serious habitat restoration efforts are needed to support healthy breeding populations at European level. For example, in Finland, which has the largest breeding wigeon population in the EU, there are some interesting projects underway. Many of these projects are supported by hunters, such as the “SOTKA” programme, because hunting is a key incentive to improve habitats. Associations in other countries such as Federcaccia and the Irish Hunters' Association also participate financially in this programme.
Restrictions and moratoria
The European Commission's response has been to call for restrictions and moratoria on hunting for some of these species. Some of these recommendations for migratory ducks are incomprehensible to hunters because they are unreasonable. This is causing intense debate in the hunting media across Europe. The decision-making process at flyway level, based on scientific data, will guide decision-makers in the future. FACE will continue to participate actively in this process. Federcaccia participates with FACE in meetings at European level and together with the Cabina di Regia delle AAVV maintains an active dialogue with the Italian government institutions. We thank the Italian Government for having considered our suggestions in the debate with the Commission, which must however continue in the direction of sustainable management of the harvest, but not to accept requests that are not scientifically founded (source: FIDC).
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