14. The roles of international conservation conventions and their impacts on wildlife management. The EU conservation legislation.

Question 1

Basic info

Answer 1

Hunting laws can be affected by: ecological characteristics of the animals, proper utilisation of hunting law, nature protection, agriculture and forest management, hunting and game management traditions, obligations from international conventions.

Transboundary cross-border phenomena: ecological aspects that affect the whole world - wild fauna, destruction of nature, pollution, commerce

Because of this, states have to work together → creation of international organizations (IUCN, UNEP, MAB) and intergovernmental conventions

Question 2

RAMSAR CONVENTION

Answer 2

1971 - Ramsar, Iran

preservation and wise use of wetlands through national initiatives and international cooperation in order to ensure sustainable development in all parts of the world”
marshes, bogs, peat bogs and waters → wetlands

The only international agreement that deals with the protection of a specific ecosystem.

wetlands have an essential ecological role in regulating water resources and as habitats that maintain rich biodiversity.
➢ very important economic, cultural, scientific and recreational value,
➢ as natural resources must be preserved, by maintaining their wise use
* Hungary has been a member since 1979, there are 29 wetlands under the law of the convention
* Specification: a wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds or 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbird

In the areas included in the Ramsar convention, hunting, fishing, angling and other traditional activities are not necessarily prohibited. Limiting can be done if there is a need.

The use of the lead shot in wetlands and their protective belts is prohibited during hunting from 15 August 2005.

Question 3

BONN CONVENTION/ CMS

Answer 3

Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
1979 - United Nations
Hungary has been a member since 1983
“to ensure the protection of migratory land and marine animals and bird species in their areas of distribution”
Animals migrate to the territory of many countries or international waters, which increases dangers to their well being → international cooperation for effective protection

*African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA): aims to provide adequate protection for migratory water birds, while maintaining sustainable human activities in line with the conservation aspects of wetlands. (closely aligned with Ramsar convention)

Question 4

CITES / Washington Convention

Answer 4

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
1975
Hungary has been a member since 1985
Regulation of trade of wild plants and animals. International trade can endanger the survival of animals, as well as cause habitat loss and over exploitation
Applying the convention is voluntary, but the signatory states have to apply the Convention in their own legal system in their entirety.

3 lists of species:
* Appendix 1: most endangered animals and plants - more than 800 species, CITES license can be obtained for trade of these animals
* Appendix 2: extinction not threatening, but can occur without proper supervision - export license is necessary, but not import license
* Appendix 3: species included at the request of a Party that already regulates trade in the species and that needs the cooperation of other countries to prevent unsustainable or illegal exploitation - trade allowed with permits

The EU has applied 4 annexes, instead of 3 (A, B, C and D). Annex D includes species with such a high number of individuals introduced into the countries of the European Union, which already requires control.

Question 5

CBD / Rio Convention

Answer 5

Convention on Biological Diversity
1992 - Rio de Janeiro
Hungary has been a member since 1992
Conservation of biodiversity, Sustainable use of biodiversity elements, Honest and fair sharing of the benefits of using genetic diversity

Question 6

Berne Convention

Answer 6

Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats
1979
Hungary has been a member since 1989
Protecting the wild flora and fauna and their habitats, To promote cooperation between States on these issues, Particular attention is paid to endangered and vulnerable species, including endangered and vulnerable migratory species.
Appendices:
* Appendix I - Strictly protected flora species.
* Appendix II - Strictly protected fauna species. e.g. European ground squirrel, wolf, brown bear, otter, wildcat
* Appendix III - Protected fauna species. e.g. badger, weasel, ermine, lynx, all bird species not listed in Appendix II, except some of them
* Appendix IV - Prohibited means and methods of killing, capture and other forms of exploitation. (e.g.: snares, explosives,

The Hungarian Hunting Act of 1996 / LV prohibited the use of any killing traps or the use of live-bait in the live traps in Hungary by partially referring to this and partly to the European Union Habitats Directive based on the Berne Convention.

Question 7

Florence Convention

Answer 7

The European Landscape Convention
2000 - Florence
Hungary signed the convention in 2005 to preserve the rich European landscape heritage
Aims to promote the protection, management and planning of the landscape and to contribute to European cooperation in the field of landscapes.
The first international treaty that deals solely with the conservation, management and development of the landscape.

Question 8

Legislation in the EU affecting hunting and game management: The bird directive

Answer 8

The bird directive
1979
➢ Its scope applies to bird species naturally occurring in Europe - after their decline and vulnerability
➢ Proper protection of birds and their habitats
➢ Designation of SPAs (Special Protection Areas) for bird conservation
➢ Migratory species require cross-border cooperation

Hunting must follow the principles of wise use and ecologically balanced regulation - Hunted species are also protected!

Annexes - division of species by their needs:
* Annex 1: SPAs have to be designated for species survival and migratory species
* Annex 2: Hunting is forbidden during vulnerable phases - return from migration to nesting areas, reproduction and the raising of their chicks
* Annex 3: killing, capture or trade, or the destruction of their nests, are banned
* Annex 4: sustainable management of hunting
* Annex 5: animals being researched to underpin protection

Question 9

Legislation in the EU affecting hunting and game management : The habitats directive

Answer 9

The habitats directive
1992
Extension of birds directive to entire wildlife. Aims to preserve the natural habitats and the biodiversity of flora and fauna in Europe
For each biogeographical region the Commission adopts a list of Sites of Community Importance (SCI) which then become part of the network.
Finally, the SCI are designated at the national level as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)

• Annex I: Natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of Special Areas of Conservation (e.g. Pannonic sand steppes).
• Annex II: Animal and plant species of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of Special Areas of Conservation (the sites are managed according to the ecological needs of the species)
• Annex III: Criteria for selecting sites eligible for identification as sites of community importance and designation as Special Areas of Conservation.
• Annex IV: Animal and plant species of community interest in need of strict protection
• Annex V: Animal and plant species of community interest whose taking in the wild and exploitation may be subject to management measures
• Annex VI: Prohibited methods and means of capture and killing and modes of transport

Question 10

Natura 2000

Answer 10

prevent biodiversity loss
Special protected areas + special areas of conservation: It is important that protection should be provided solely for the species and habitat types for which the area has been designated.
A network of protected areas (SACS and SPA)➞ preservation of species and habitat types that are most important for the whole continent → use of bird and habitat directive
21% of hungary’s territory is protected
Activities in Natura 2000 sites that do not threaten the nature conservation aims can be carried out without restriction