CONSERVATION AND PLANNING THE STRATEGY FOR WISE USE OF WATERFOWL RESOURCE OF KUMO-MANYTCH STOPOVER (CISCAUCASIA)
The negative influence of the modern system of hunting on waterfowl in Russia on the condition of globally threatened geese populations is evident. The strategy for the stable use of water-birds resources in Kumo-Manych depression is proposed as the model. The strategy is aimed for the key sites of three administrative entities of the Russian Federation - Republic of Kalmykia, Stavropolsky Kray, Rostovskaya Oblast. Goose hunting during the migration of rare species should be closed in the regions of mass concentration of Red-breasted goose (Branta ruficollis) and Lesser white-fronted goose (Anser erythropus). This is needed to prevent the unintentional killing of the above rare species in mixed flocks. The hunting may be opened when the rare species migration is over. The hunting period should be defined by the regional authority depending on season conditions. The hunting period should be coordinated with all three administrative entities of the Russian Federation and take into account the coordinators data from other countries, where red-breasted goose and lesser white-fronted goose migration routes lie - Bulgaria, Romania, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. The proposed Strategy was approved and is based on the activities enumerated below: 1. Regulation of Hunting Periods and Quotas: Development and improvement of the regional measures regulating the waterfowl hunting. 2. Regulation of Hunting Territories: Defining the rest-zones and season reserves, their maintenance and control coordinated with Reserves, IBA and protected areas system. 3. Providing Information for Decision Making: Improved state controlled monitoring of the distribution of hunted species; creation of the interregional working group as a center of coordination; elaborating special field guides for hunters. 4. Development of Geese Hunting License System for game husbandries: Introduction of goose hunting licenses in regional game husbandries with the future option for the expansion of this practice to the Federal level. Thus, to define the boundaries for the strategy application in spring and autumn - elaborate landscape-biotope distribution maps for every species in case of fresh water deficit/no deficit (with marked feeding and resting places in three districts). Use these maps to predict the situation per district in draught/normal years and, consequently, the regions where the goose hunting can be opened. Specific territories and periods of hunting should be defined in each administrative entity in coordination with rare species migration over Kumo-Manych depression. The arrival of rare species can be monitored by Reserves, National parks and universities. District administrations informed via Interregional working group should make operative decisions on goose hunting opening/closing according to the monitoring results. In the absence of monitoring data the hunting period should depend on mean arrival/departure dates of the migrating rare goose species.