Report Series No. 2: Regulation of Spring and Autumn Hunting of Waterbirds in the Kumo-Manych Depression

The second report features the results of a one year pilot-project focusing on the regulation of spring and autumn hunting of waterbirds in the Kumo-Manych Depression in the Republic of Kalmykia in south-western Russia.The project, which was carried out from March 2010 to February 2011, made very good progress in protecting this key site for Lesser White-fronted Geese and Red-breasted Geese (Branta ruficollis). In addition to extensive work in the field (monitoring, study of feeding habits and preferred biotypes), project milestones included an interregional meeting on the use of waterfowl between the three regional authorities (oblasts) in which the Kuma-Manych Depression lies. As a result, two of the three regional oblasts agreed to temporarily close spring hunting at the site. An Interregional Working Group was established to continue work on these issues. A draft Action Plan for the optimization of the use of waterfowl at the Kumo-Manych stopover site has been updated by the Working Group and has been submitted to the local governments for adoption. Several workshops for hunters were also organized concentrating on awareness-raising and identification skills. Last but not least, the report also entails recommendations for further conservation activities to be implemented in Kumo-Manych as well as suggestions as to how the conservation methods applied could be used at other key sites. The project was coordinated and carried out by Ms. Sonia Rozenfeld of the Goose, Swans and Duck Study Group of Northern Eurasia (RGG).