Hunting of four duck species outlawed as conservationists seek further bans

Four duck species – the scaup, goldeneye, pochard and pintail – can no longer legally be hunted in Ireland due to their significant population decline.

The move follows a review of 21 species undertaken by the National Parks and Wildlife Service including 15 that were listed as “red” (high conservation concern) or “amber” (medium conservation concern) in BirdWatch Ireland’s Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland report and 14 that are the subject of “national-level concern”.

The removal of the four species from the open seasons order (OSO), which governs permissible hunting, marks just the second time in 30 years that such a move has been taken, following the removal of the curlew in 2012.

“While this announcement is a significant step forward for the protection of wild birds, I would stress that this is just the starting point of a process of change as to how the open season order can work better for the conservation of birds in Ireland,” said Minister of State for heritage Malcolm Noonan.

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He said he would strengthen the evidence base for decision-making around the OSO and prioritise the collection of biological and hunting data for five more key species – the red grouse, golden plover, common snipe, jack snipe and woodcock.

Details around the establishment of a sustainable hunting of wild birds stakeholder forum will be announced in the coming weeks.

“Furthermore, I fully recognise that the threats and pressures affecting these precious species go further than hunting,” Mr Noonan said.

“Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation are also significant problems and I intend to work with my colleagues across Government to progress measures that will support the necessary changes.”

While the removal of the four species was welcomed by BirdWatch Ireland, it criticised the process for failing to protect other species under threat.

“No rationale has been provided as to why (the shoveler and golden plover) remain on the list. The information provided announcing the decision is inadequate and lacking detail,” it said.