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The 55th General Assembly of the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) – the World Forum for Sustainable Hunting – closed with a positive and cohesive note in Marrakesh on the 25th of April. The meeting, held under the patronage of King Mohammed VI of Morocco, also marked the 80th anniversary of the organization and had attracted over 500 participants, a record number, representing 48 countries from around the world. Among those who attended were representatives from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) as well as the African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), representatives from the IUCN as well as government delegations, national hunting organizations and scientists. Central to the discussions was a critical review of trophy hunting. Trophy hunting was identified as a significant factor in the rural development, provided it is carried out in a sustainable manner and with integrity and respect for local conditions. Many positive examples of recreational hunting were documented from around the world including Africa, Asia and Central America.

 

Against 'ecological apartheid'

 

Professor Jon Hutton (UK), Chair of the IUCN Sustainable Use Specialist Group, argued that a one-sided protectionist stance of European and American-dominated conservation organisations does not consider the needs of indigenous populations. This approach represents what Hutton called a 'continuation of colonialism by 21st-century methods.' He added that 'human rights are constantly being violated in the name of conservation without anybody uttering a word.' Hutton continued that 'none of the anti-poaching campaigns in Africa have prevented illegal use, but merely served to drive it underground. Actions against legal and regulated hunting caused direct and indirect losses. For example, while African schoolchildren have to keep watch over crops in the field to protect them from marauding elephants, they are prevented from attending school. Experience shows only one solution: the value of wildlife must be enhanced - nature and game conservation need to be based on material incentives. The higher the direct profit from the use of wild natural resources, the more rural people are willing to contribute to conservation of these resources.'

 

Creating a tangible value for wildlife

 

This new form of resident-friendly, sustainable wildlife management has been demonstrably successful. Prominent among the many successful examples cited was the Abu Dhabi initiated and supported Houbara Bustard conservation and rearing project, carried out in Eastern Morocco. Another example comes from Benin, where 30 percent of hunting generated income is directly spent on the needs of the local population. Over 300 jobs have been created in the past six years, poaching is down and biodiversity has been enhanced. The decrease in agricultural income was offset by the revenues from hunting.

A similar scenario emerged in Namibia, where hunting tourism is growing at a rate of 12 percent a year, while conventional agriculture declines. In Namibia, stocks of all indigenous wildlife species rose by an average of 112 percent from 1972 to 2005. The population increase of the most popular game animals (i.e. hunted animals) like kudu, zebra and springbok - has been especially significant. Hunting tourism already accounts for 2.3 percent of Namibia’s gross national product, now just about half of the contribution of the once dominant conventional cattle ranching sector.

Drawing on over two decades of experience, development consultant and author, Dr. Rolf D. Baldus stressed that the sustainable use of game makes sense in all possible combinations: photo tourism, hunting safaris, licensed hunting and the leasing of hunting concessions. Some well-meaning attempts have failed since they concentrate too single-mindedly on one type of use, e.g. photo tourism or meat production. With regards to sustainable hunting tourism, expert Rolf Baldus made it crystal clear: 'Sustainable hunting tourism is decisive for the success. It yields the highest returns for the lowest off-take rates. It requires less investment, takes up less land and has a significantly lower ecological footprint than any other form of tourism!'

 

CIC concentrates on three core areas

 

During the Opening Session, The CIC Members unanimously approved a new structure for the CIC, which focuses on three core areas of activities: Policy and Law, Applied Science and Culture. This new structure will be the basis for focusing CIC’s work around the globe and funding of the Commissions and Working Groups. Dieter Schramm, who has headed CIC since 1999, was reconfirmed in office for a further three-year term. Schramm was reelected unopposed and unanimously in open ballot with a roaring applause from the delegates.