Together with representatives of environmental and hunter associations and experts from the Ministry of Environment, Jaupaj discussed the drafting of by-laws, the National Hunting Development Program, the management of hunting areas, as well as the definition of a transparent and fair fee system.

The minister emphasized that, “Municipalities and hunter federations will have an important role as key actors in the sustainable management of wild fauna, in cooperation with scientific expertise in preparing the list of species subject to hunting”.

After more than a decade, the moratorium on hunting has been lifted, allowing this activity in certain areas, according to the rules provided for in the new law “On Hunting”.

The law now protects the rights of hunters and encourages cooperation between them and the area manager, as well as between the structures provided for in this law for the conservation and management of wild fauna and its habitat.

According to recent regulatory proposals in Albania [2024-2025], allowed hunting areas must be at least 500 hectares in plains and 1000 hectares in mountainous zones. Private individuals can rent these areas through competitive procedures, and wild fauna breeding reserves must be at least 50 hectares, managed by assigned units.

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During the discussion of the draft law in the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Minister Jaupaj emphasized that the law defines the rules and requirements for the practice of hunting; it includes measures for its monitoring and control, and creates the new concept of the “hunting area manager”, who will manage and organize the activity in a professional and legal manner.

According to the minister, the decision to propose this new legislation, which provides for the reopening of hunting in a controlled manner, is based on data from monitoring wild fauna in the country, where there has been observed recovery of populations of some species that were previously the object of hunting.

“After several years of moratorium, there has been observed a recovery of populations of some fauna species that were previously subject to hunting. This creates the possibility for a restore of hunting activity in a controlled manner. The draft law also aims to encourage the involvement of hunters in the management and protection of fauna, combat illegal hunting and support rural and economic development through the sustainable use of wild animals,” said Jaupaj.

He said that, after conducting the test, the hunter addresses a written request to the relevant unit for hunting at the local self-government unit of the area, which must contain the test certificate, the permit for carrying a hunting weapon, the identity card and the payment of the permit fee.

The draft law also provides for the decentralization of powers, transferring responsibilities from the central government to the municipalities. The hunting areas will be leased through private managers, for periods of up to 10 years, in areas ranging from 500 hectares in plain areas to 1,000 hectares in mountainous areas.

Jaupaj stressed that the proposed model aims to promote rural development and sustainable tourism, turning hunting into a source of revenues for local areas, the same like in European Union countries, while noting the increase of the control measures and fines.

The draft law also determines the requirements for obtaining a hunting permit.

“This draft law is in line with European standards and guarantees the development of responsible hunting that preserves the country’s biodiversity and natural resources,” said Minister Jaupaj. /e.xh/a.f/r.e/p.s./

Also, with the approval of the permitted hunting areas, hunting in the rest of the territory of Albania will be banned.

The purpose of the new draft law is to improve the current law in some aspects and certain articles of it, guaranteeing the right to go hunting and the rights over game, trophies and hunting products and their trade, as well as encouraging the involvement of hunters in monitoring, management and research with the aim of caring for and preserving wild fauna and its habitat.

“Following the approval of this draft law, hunting will take place only in permitted hunting areas and all other territories in the Republic of Albania will be excluded,” the draft law states.

The new draft law, which is expected to be passed in the Parliament, aims to give hunting associations greater responsibility and manage their territories.

This draft law also aims to encourage the contribution of hunters as biodiversity actors.

“Hunters should be seen as an important part of the sustainable development of hunting so that hunters themselves who are passionate about hunting can practice this activity according to the rules set out in this law,” it is further underlined. /m.q/j.p/p.s./

In context of the monitoring activities, the National Agency of Protected Areas has installed trap cameras to observe wild life in protected areas.

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared on social media today images from the world of animals that you rarely meet in everyday life.

Rama said that they are, “Fantastic images from the trap cameras installed in protected areas. Not only do we have an increase in the number of species thanks to the moratorium on hunting, a restore of normality in natural habitats, but also completely unique attractions such as protected areas with a significant increase of visitors”.

The installment of trap cameras in protected areas is aimed at monitoring the wild fauna in these areas.

Wild fauna species live peacefully in their habitats thanks to the hunting moratorium. Its effects have been positive especially in wild birds. According to the 2016 census, about 60 thousand wild birds were found in the habitats of the Albanian ecosystem.

In 2021, there were numbered about 140 thousand. There were also about 50% more waterfowl species in 2021 compared to the 2016 census.

The number of wetlands has increased from 16 in 2016 to 29 in 2020.

During the current year until July 1, over 2.1 million visitors visited the protected areas.  The population has also become aware thanks to increased communication with experts and environmentalists.

The extension of the moratorium until 2025 aims to improve the situation of wild fauna species./k.s/ j.p/p.s./