Natura 2000 and Sustainable Wildife Use

1. Natura 2000 and Sustainable Wildife Use Tamas Marghescu IUCN Regional Director

2. Hunting 7 million hunters in Europe Represented in Parliament Active in every community across Europe European Convention on Human Rights

3. Natura 2000 “NATURA 2000 will play a key part in attenuating climate change and helping us to adapt. Healthy ecosystems are essential in any strategy for climate change mitigation and adaptation. NATURA 2000 will be a central element to mitigate and adapt to climate change.”Stavros Dimas, EU Commissioner of Environment 2010: Year of Biodiversity 26,000 protected areas 850.000 km2 20% of total EU territory 1000 rare & threatened species 200 habitat types

4. Natura 2000 Birds Directive: establishment of Special Protection Areas (SPA) Habitats Directive designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) Both fully recognise the legitimacy of hunting as a form of sustainable use Natura 2000 is the most comprehensive system globally: “It is the largest interconnected area of protected sites in the world and covers one fifth of EU territory” Stavros Dimas • EU Commissioner of Environment

5. Role of Hunters & Anglers - Communicating the message of Natura 2000 - Active involvement in local land management - Preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity - Control of invasive and alien species - Economic income for marginal area communities - Involvement in habitat management NATURA 2000: an opportunity for landowners!! Without the presence of hunting and fishing activities, Natura 2000 sites would not exist!!!

6. Natura 2000 & Hunting - Challenges Not a coherent network – need migration corridors! Rising food prices – increase in poaching and illegal hunting Biofuels – loss of habitat and loss of agricultural production Habitat fragmentation Policy conflicts – Common Agricultural Policy

7. Seine Estuary France The loser –loser scenario - Natura 2000 site : 10,000 hectares Marshes and wetlands - Waterfowl hunting preserve - Port development destruction of habitat and hunting area - Agreed restoration measures not executed - No involvement with hunters in planning process - Led to conflict with police and non-acceptance of public policies - Negatively affected site management by users Top-Down Processes WITHOUT consultation and communication!!

8. Haute Vienne France - Action and participation of a official hunting organisation Departmental Federation of Hunters (FDC) of Haute Vienne - Creation of a preserve of two lakes: Murat and Moustiers 172 ha 5 natural habitats 3 animal species and large number of waterfowl - FDC involved with: - Scientific studies - Establishment of a public observatory - Creation of resting areas for waterfowl - Awareness raising schemes

9. Recommendations & Future Action - Sustainable Hunting Initiative: Member states Conservationists Hunters (and anglers) - Improve image: Develop good practices Recording bag statistics Habitat and Landscape management Involve youth (training and awareness) - Hunting a sustainable tool for: Rural development Agri-environment schemes Habitat management schemes

10. COLLABORATE WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT DEFINE YOUR OWN GOALS!!!!