Updating Iran’s Waterbird Hunting Regulation

In early 2025, the AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society partnered with the Department of Environment of Iran (DOE) to revise the national by-law governing the hunting of waterbirds and waders. This initiative marked the first comprehensive update of the regulation in nearly fifty years, addressing long-standing conservation and management challenges.

Project Background

The previous by-law, which had remained largely unchanged for decades, no longer reflected ecological realities, population dynamics of migratory birds, or the expectations of stakeholders. To ensure sustainable management of waterbird hunting, AvayeBoom launched a six-month project aimed at supporting the DOE’s Directorate of Hunting and Fishing in modernizing the regulation.

Objectives and Process

The project focused on creating a regulation that balances conservation priorities with stakeholder needs, while minimizing harm to biodiversity.
Key steps included:

• Collecting the original version of the hunting regulation from DOE.

• Sharing the text with relevant stakeholders, including hunting associations, NGOs, and experts.

• Organizing expert committee meetings within AvayeBoom to analyze and review each article of the by-law.

• Submitting consolidated recommendations to DOE for evaluation and approval.

DOE formally reviewed and accepted the proposed changes, incorporating them into the updated regulation. This collaborative process ensured that the revision was evidence-based, participatory, and aligned with modern conservation standards.

Outcomes

The new by-law, officially adopted in 2025, reflects updated ecological knowledge, stronger protective measures for threatened species, and a participatory framework that engages multiple stakeholders in the management of hunting activities. It represents a major step toward harmonizing biodiversity conservation with responsible hunting practices in Iran.

Acknowledgments

AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society extends its gratitude to the Department of Environment of Iran, particularly the Deputy of Natural Environment and Biodiversity and the Directorate of Hunting and Fishing, for their trust and collaboration. Special thanks also go to the stakeholders and volunteers whose contributions made this milestone possible.