Illegal Hunting of Birds (IKB)

Between 2015 and 2017, NCE's Responsible Hunting Programme (RHP) undertook a comprehensive monitoring initiative along Egypt's Northern Mediterranean coast. This groundbreaking initiative was the first extensive assessment of its kind in the region, aiming to understand and quantify the scale and impact of hunting and trapping on migratory birds during their critical migration periods. The RHP endeavoured to document various hunting and trapping methods, analyze the distribution and intensity of coastal trammel netting, and estimate the numbers and species of birds affected. Furthermore, the programme sought to uncover the scale and specifics of illegal trapping, particularly within protected areas, and assess the bird trade across coastal markets. The data gathered provided a foundation for more informed conservation strategies and actions.

The Illegal Killing of Birds (IKB) programme embodies a long-term commitment to halving the rates of illegal bird hunting in the Mediterranean by 2030, aligning with the ambitious targets of the Rome Strategic Plan. NCE's approach encompasses a comprehensive strategy that includes:

• Detection, Monitoring, and Research: Systematically collecting data on illegal activities to inform and direct conservation efforts.
• Legislation, Policy, and Advocacy: Working towards robust legal frameworks and policies that deter illegal hunting and protect avian species.
• Education, Outreach, and Behavior Change: Engaging communities and stakeholders in understanding the importance of bird conservation and altering harmful practices.
• Site-Based Interventions: Developing alternative livelihoods and sustainable practices to reduce dependence on hunting.
• Supporting Effective Enforcement and Judicial Processes: Aiding in the enforcement of laws and regulations to ensure compliance and deterrence.
• Sustainability & Capacity Building: Ensuring the longevity and impact of the project through continuous learning and empowerment.

NCE focuses on two critical areas in Egypt: Burullus Lake in the north, where trammel nets cover a significant portion of the coastline, and Lake Nasser in the south, known for shooting practices primarily by international hunters. These efforts are directed at addressing the root causes of illegal hunting, whether driven by poverty, lack of enforcement, or other socioeconomic factors, to effect lasting change and protect Egypt's vital bird populations.

Burullus Lake is located in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate. It is a brackish water lake in the Nile Delta in Egypt. It is located in east of Rosetta, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea in the north and agricultural land to the south. While bird hunting has a long history in the lake, its intensification is a recent development driven by increased financial rewards. Due to the declining fish yields and reduced diversity in the lake, they are now focusing on the bird migratory season to hunt migrating birds for sale as a source of income and protein. This shift is especially significant given the high and unaffordable price of protein. Over population and limited inhabitable land and resources act as drivers for unsustainable bird harvesting, as well.

Not only is Lake Burullus a Protected Area, in accordance with Prime Ministerial Decree 1444/1998, but it is also a Ramsar site and an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). Lake Burullus meets 3 criteria that qualify it to be an IBA: i) A1 – globally threatened species, ii) A4i – 1% or more of population, iii) A4iii – more than 20,000 waterbirds. Unfortunately, despite Lake Burullus’s national and international significance it is subject to many anthropogenic pressures such as the overexploitation of biological/natural resources, human encroachment, significant land-use change, and pollution. Because of poverty and unemployment, Lake Burullus and the surrounding areas’ economy is driven by fishery and bird hunting. Continuous and unsustainable bird hunting practices, the use of illegal hunting methods, and lack of abiding hunting regulations and restrictions are all factors that threaten Lake Burullus with ecosystem degradation.

Nature Conservation Egypt (NCE) initiated a long-term study, as part of BirdLife’s Illegal Killing and Taking of Birds (IKB) program, to assess and quantify the size of bird hunting in the Burullus region; in 2022's hunting season, NCE gathered 67 surveys from bird hunters, and 36 surveys from bird vendors.

In 2023, NCE took steps to encourage local hunters to shift towards community-based conservation practices. As part of a pilot project, NCE is seeking alternative sources of income and providing capacity building training for bird hunters and a local tourism agency to learn more about birds, their migration, their ecology, and identification so that they can collaborate and promote bird watching tourism in Lake Burullus. One local tourism agency, Camp Burullus, is already working with a hunter and is utilising his boat to arrange and promote birdwatching trips.

On the other hand,  Lake Nasser is one the largest man-made lakes in the world. It was formed as a result of the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960’s, in the southern Egypt. It is about 496km long in which 300km in Egypt and 196km in Sudan. The lake average width is 15km. The lake represent the country’s main reservoir of fresh water. 

The water level fluctuation in the River Nile according to flood system provides massive suitable and dynamic habitats for wildlife. The shorelines vegetation is dominated by Tamarix nilotica. In recent year reeds, Phragmites australis starts to spread. With the raise of water level in winter, water cover the shore vegetation and form large swamps which provide an attractive safe feeding grounds for waterbirds. Lake Nasser is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA); it meets 3 criteria i) A1 – globally threatened species (Ferruginous duck); ii) A4i – 1% or more of the population (Black-necked Grebe, White Pelican, Tufted Duck, Shoveler); iii) A4iii – more than 20,000 waterbirds. In addition to the importance of Lake Nasser as a breeding area and a wintering ground for many bird species. Lake Nasser is the most northern extend for many sub-Sahar bird species. Those species are targets for birdwatchers who compete to record birds with the Western Palearctic region such as: Yellow-billed Stork, Pink-packed Pelican, African Pied Wagtail, Three-banded Plover, African Skimmer.

Despite Lake Nasser national and international importance, there have been many threats to the Lake valuable and unique ecosystems. The endorsement of developmental projects near the lake, poor agricultural management, and human-wildlife conflict are of the main threats the lake is facing. Lake Nasser is regarded as a bird hunting destination by the hunting community. Shooting of waterbirds is very common, especially during the Autumn and winter. Moreover, Lake Nasser is one of the main places in Egypt where hunting tourism is very popular, especially amongst Maltese Hunters. Since Malta joined the European Union, which has specific regulations and standards for the protection of natural resources, Maltese hunters have been targeting areas with lenient regulations and restrictions. Lack of law enforcement is one of the main challenges in Lake Nasser, due to the massive area and the remote location. Once a hunter obtains a permission of hunting, they can shoot anything. There are many materials and news on social media clarify how illegal and massive the hunting can be in Lake Nasser. These materials is produced by hunters themselves.

In 2018, NCE managed to organize a national workshop to discuss the drafting the Annual Ministerial Hunting Decree at the Ministry of Environment. This decree is updating the restrictions and regulations for the hunting season. Since that date; the workshop is an annual event where NCE advocate against bird hunting and promote alternative source of income for local tour operators. During the lock down due to covid 19, there were no hunting trip to Lake Nasser. However with no travel restriction on travel, we understand that the situation will be worse. In the hunting season of 2022-2023, NCE led an investigation to gain better understanding of the situation of hunting tourism in Lake Nasser in collaboration with Ministry of Environment and BirdLife Malta. The study revealed that there were four local tour operators (boat owners), who were involved in operating 15 hunting trips (trip length is 14 days); a total of 1091 hunting days. The study calculated the density of hunting activities in the peak time of the hunting season (Jan-Mar 2023) to be 11 hunter/day with 4 speed boats/day.

The result of the study was highlighted in the 2022-23 national workshop on hunting and other discussions with Ministry of Environment. Finally the Egyptian Government decided to ban hunting activities in Lake Nasser.  We considered that a milestone in wildlife conservation in Egypt. This decision safeguards the lives of thousands of wintering and resident birds in Lake Nasser. The ban took place for two consecutive years so far, 23/24 and 24/25.

However, banning all hunting activities in Lake Nasser will impact the livelihoods of locals tour operators who depended on hunting tourism. NCE is working on a program to provide alternative income for local communities in Lake Nasser. The program is aiming at i) promoting birdwatching for local and tourism; ii) facilitating partnerships/collaborations between local and national tour operators and agencies; iii) building capacity of local tour operators. The program is crucial for supporting local communities and maintaining the bird hunting ban in Lake Nasser. On the other hand, we understand that the hunting ban in Lake Nasser can increase hunting pressures in other places in Egypt. NCE is assessing the situation in other hunting destination such as Fayoum.

Whilst the hunting ban in Lake Nasser is a momentous achievement, intersectional environmentalism is required, we need to ensure the sustainability of this decision. Provide support to local communities is a key to keep this achievement. NCE believes that birdwatching trip can be a key element to keep Lake Nasser a safe refuge for migratory and resident birds. This is a call for birdwatchers all over the world to join the mission to save birds and enjoy birding in one of the richest cultural and natural heritage sites.