Dear Editor,

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is using this medium to respond to recent discussions in the media regarding NEPA’s management of the bird hunting season and game birds. We refer to our pre-season publication of August 14, 2011 which appeared in both daily papers and which outlined the processes involved in planning and preparing for the annual bird hunting season. For the benefit of the wider public who may have missed the articles we present herein a brief of the regulatory framework which governs the protection of Jamaica’s wildlife and NEPA’s game-bird management responsibility.

Game bird management is a continuous process. It involves in-depth research and analysis before, during, and after the hunting season.

The Wild Life Protection Act (WLPA) provides legal protection for all wildlife found in Jamaica, including birds. Under the WLPA, all birds in Jamaica are protected except for 18 species of birds and ducks.

The WLPA regulates bird shooting, and as such, provides a legal framework for the management of game birds. The Act allows for the declaration of a game bird hunting season lasting six weeks each year and clearly defines which birds may be hunted during the hunting season. It is illegal to hunt game birds outside of the hunting season. The WLPA also gives NEPA, through the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA), the power to prosecute offenders. The maximum fine is $100,000 or 12 months imprisonment for anyone who captures, hunts, or has the whole or parts of a protected bird in his/her possession.

The regulatory framework is supported by a Game Bird Management Plan which requires NEPA to assess game bird populations and habitats annually. This informs decisions concerning the possible declaration of a bird hunting season each year. The decisions are made by the NRCA based on recommendations by NEPA’s technical officers. Decisions by the NRCA for a hunting season are submitted to the minister for sign-off, after which gazetting takes place for the season to be legal.

In order to arrive at a considered position from which to make a recommendation, NEPA’s Technical Officers conduct game bird population assessments monthly from February to June at numerous study sites located in various habitat types across the island. The evaluation process involves strict sampling protocols to detect game birds both visually and by sound. The data generated by these comprehensive assessments are analysed by our scientific experts to determine the extent and intensity of the breeding season along with the relative population abundance of game bird species. Yearly trends are also examined to verify any changes in the populations which will require deeper analysis or drastic managerial decisions.

Additionally, game bird habitats are examined. This is important as the quality of habitats influences the availability of food, breeding success, and ultimately, the availability of game birds for the next hunting season. Further, NEPA conducts intensive monitoring and enforcement programmes during the hunting season which incorporates the collection of field data such as shooting locations, numbers and species of birds shot and types of vegetation in shooting areas.

As you can appreciate, the management of game birds is approached by NEPA with scientific rigour and decisions are made on the basis of verifiable results and a legal framework. We trust that this information assists in clarifying the mechanisms involved and in allaying concerns regarding the management of Jamaica’s game bird populations.

We take this opportunity to encourage members of the public to report any breaches during the bird hunting season to Richard Nelson at 580-8081 or the Bird Hunting Season Control Centre at 754-7567.

NEPA invites questions or comments on this or any area of its operations as it works to manage the wildlife in our environment.

Peter Knight

CEO, NEPA

Kingston 5