Vargas, J.M. & Carranza, J. 2009. Calidad cinegética certificada. En: Gestión Cinegética en los Ecosistemas Mediterráneos. Sáenz de Buruaga, M. & Carranza, J. (Eds.). Publ. Junta de Andalucía.
Hunting, in a biological context, is the rational and sustainable exploitation of wild animal populations whose capture is legally authorized. Game species constitute a renewable but limited resource that needs of a regulation to ensure its continuity. Moreover, these measures of hunting management should ensure respect for other animal species and their habitats.
These principles have guided the gradual transformation of hunting regulations, advised to reduce the spectrum of game species, promoted their sustainable use and wildlife conservation.
This problem is being faced in Southern Spain under the new approach called the “quality of game management system”. This quality system is being implemented by regional administrations, and is aimed to promote the type of management more compatible with conservation, on the basis of the following main ideas: 1) land owners can apply for a certificate of quality; 2) regional government in agreement with a research institute evaluates and gives the certificate; 3) main benefits for owners are the access to funds oriented to conservation and the launch of their products (game offer) to the market with a quality brand.
Key aspects of the system are at least the two following ones. First, that the application for the certificate is voluntary for land owners, so there must be some reward in doing so, either because hunters may find more valuable a hunting experience in these naturally managed areas or because public administration gives advantages to estates that get the certificate (a necessary incentive at least for the initial stages of the system). And second, that the certificate is based on quite restricted management criteria based on conservation principles. Even among scientists and much more easily among associations related to hunting or management, these principles and management criteria are clearly a matter of debate and potential disagreement. This concern motivated a group of scientists to organize a couple of workshops with the goal of promoting discussion and unifying criteria, first among research groups and then with representatives of the main associations and public administrations involved in hunting and game management in Spain. The result was a high level of agreement about the maintenance of natural conditions of game populations, making their use compatible with natural values and with other uses of the land, and preserving the action of natural processes, including natural selection.