Strategy for Swedish Wildlife Management

STRATEGY FOR SWEDISH

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

– WITH OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES BY THE

SWEDISH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

A RELAUNCH FOR SWEDISH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

Nature, as well as society, is in a constant state of change. The land scape,

climate and wildlife populations all vary over time, just as the priorities

we set in society and the ways in which we use the land inhabited by

wild-life. Sweden currently holds historically large populations of wildwild-life.

They represent a resource that is used to the benefit and enjoyment of

many people, but also cause damages to rural enterprises and industries.

Future wildlife management needs to be able to adapt to constant changes

– varying wildlife populations, invasive species, new management

methods, and unexpected consequences of climate change. In the

Strategy for Swedish Wildlife Management, the Swedish Environmental

Protection Agency points out a choice of directions in order to develop

and strengthen the Swedish wildlife management.

-SHARED RESPONSIBILITY FOR A -SHARED RESOURCE

Our wildlife populations are a renewable natural resource with considerable potential to contribute to both quality of life for many people and to regional development. They provide us with opportunities for nature experiences, hunting and access to game meat. However, wildlife also creates problems and challenges. Wildlife causes damages to the reindeer husbandry, agriculture and forestry, and in connection to traffic accidents. In addition, the presence of large carnivores affects the prerequisites for hunting and rural life.

Opinions regarding the values of wildlife and the best way to manage them vary depending on people’s interests and values. Society needs to find ways to both make use of the resource that wildlife represents, and manage the challenges and conflicts that it causes. Wildlife is a shared resource that needs to be managed jointly, in dialogue and cooperation between different interest groups.

BALANCE BETWEEN SUSTAINABLE USE AND CONSERVATION

Wildlife management includes measures taken to ensure that the wildlife species that are naturally present in Sweden are sustained in long-term viable populations, as a part of Sweden’s fauna, for hunting and for other experiences.

Wildlife must be managed sustainably, which means that ecological, social, cultural, and economic aspects must be taken into account in the management. A sustainable wildlife management means that we constantly balance use against conservation of wildlife, and find ways to manage both opportunities provided and problems caused by wildlife.

AN ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT THAT INCORPORATES PARTICIPATION

Wildlife management must be adaptive. This means that it must include a learning process – it must continuously be developed according to new knowledge and adapted to changes that take place in nature as well as in society.

The management must also be ecosystem-based, which means that it must take into consideration how people, different wildlife species, and the landscape interact with and affect each other.

An ecosystem-based management including a learning process builds on the existence of a common knowledge base that provides the most accurate picture possible of reality. When setting the objectives for wildlife management based on current knowledge, all relevant stakeholders must be involved in the process, so that differing interests can be balanced against each other and necessary compromises made.

Decisions must be taken as close as possible to the people who are affected by them. This means that wildlife management, to a large extent, is conducted at the regional and local level.

STRATEGY FOR SWEDISH

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

iklund, Scandinav Bildbyrå Photo on cover: Matton Bildbyrå Illustration on cover: T

A VISION FOR SWEDISH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has formulated a vision for

wildlife management in Sweden. The vision can be viewed as a long-term

objective for Swedish wildlife management and draws on the values of

wildlife in a broad sense - for nature experiences and tourism, for hunting,

for the provision of game meat and for the conservation of biodiversity.

Everyone should have access these values, regardless of background,

gender, disabilities or other conditions. To ensure that everyone is able

to appreciate wildlife, we need to further develop the sustainable use of

wildlife and find new ways to manage, and if possible, prevent damages

and other problems caused by wildlife.

“A wildlife management

in balance allows everyone

to experience the values

of wildlife”

Photo: Matton Bildbyrå Illustration: T

PROMOTE THE SUSTAINABLE

USE OF WILDLIFE AS A RESOURCE

EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE VALUES OF WILDLIFE

It should be easy for different interest groups to take part in different forms of sustainable use of wildlife, and for hunters to be given the opportunity to hunt. Hunting, wildlife tourism, and other types of sustainable use of wildlife should not be limited by unjustified obstacles. Instead, the outset is that sustainable use should be promoted.

IT MUST BE POSSIBLE TO SUSTAINABLY USE WILDLIFE IN VARIOUS WAYS

It must be possible to use wildlife sustainably in a versatile manner to generate values in several steps – for nature experiences, outdoor recreation and tourism, hunting for recreational or business purposes, production and processing of meat and other products from wildlife. Rules should be simplified whenever possible and authorities should always consider the impact on the sustainable use of wildlife when making decisions regarding, for example, issues concerning land use and outdoor recreation.

SERVICE AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION MUST BE PROVIDED TO HUNTERS

The authorities must make use of the possibilities that modern technology brings when it comes to providing service and information to hunters and other practitioners, and have the user’s needs in focus while doing so. A hunter exam of high standard will promote a long-term sustainable and ethical hunting

THE HANDLING OF WILDLIFE PRODUCTS SHOULD BE SIMPLE

Game meat, which is considered a natural resource, should be handled in a simple and safe way. Hunting, trading, distribution and processing of game meat, as well as other wildlife products, should be set up so that food hygiene and meat quality are safeguarded, and in a way that ensures that as much as possible from the animal comes to use. Game meat should be a natural part of the food menu within the public sector. It should also be possible to use wildlife products for art, design and crafts without being limited by unjustified obstacles.

THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF WILDLIFE MUST BE PRACTISED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LEGISLATION AND WITH HIGH ETHICS

Viable and diverse populations are a fundamental prerequisite for all types of sustainable use of wildlife. All types of use must be carried out in accordance with current legislation and international commitments, and with high ethical standards.

CHOICE OF DIRECTIONS

TO

DEVELOP THE WILDLIFE

PREVENT DAMAGES AND OTHER

PROBLEMS CAUSED BY WILDLIFE

WORK CONCERNING DAMAGES SHOULD FOCUS ON PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Today, ungulates and large birds cause damages to agriculture and forestry across the country, which can be an extensive problem in some areas. Large carnivores also cause damages and other problems affecting, for example, the reindeer husbandry and owners of domestic animals. The wildlife management should actively contribute to prevent damages and other problems. Furthermore, invasive species and species that do not occur in Sweden by natural distribution should be prevented from establishing and spreading within the country. The spreading of diseases and parasites should be monitored and controlled.

IT SHOULD BE EASY TO ASSESS AND MANAGE DAMAGES

The government is responsible for a compensation system for certain damages caused by protected wildlife. The reindeer husbandry receives compensation for the presence of large carnivores. The government has formulated an tolerance tresholds for the reindeer husbandry regarding the level of losses they should accept due to large carnivores. Acceptance thresholds should also be calculated for other types of rural enterprises and industries, like forestry and agriculture. The responsibility to document and control wildlife damages needs to be made clear. Standardized methods and tools are needed to make it simple to monitor and report damages.

RESOURCES FOR PREVENTIVE WORK ARE NEEDED

The government needs to ensure that resources are available for effective preventive work in terms of both dissemination of knowledge and practical measures. Innovation needs to be promoted concerning damage preventing, both regarding behaviours and actions. Regional authorities and municipalities should be given the prerequisites they need to contribute to damage preventing work.

DEVELOP METHODS FOR MULTI-SPECIES MANAGEMENT

The wildlife species and the landscape interact and affect each other. Wildlife management needs to manage species from an ecosystem perspective to a larger extent than today, in order to better cope with, for example, damages caused by multiple ungulate species within a particular area. In order to achieve this, knowledge and methods for multi-species management are needed. In addition, reliable knowledge about the size and distribution of wildlife populations is required, which entails a well-functioning wildlife monitoring system.

CLEAR FRAMEWORKS FOR HUNTING AND FEEDING

There should be a clear framework and guidelines for how hunting should be conducted in order to prevent damages in the best way. Hunting to regulate population densities of species that cause extensive damages should be promoted in particular. It is also necessary to clarify where, how, and when wildlife can receive supplementary- or diversionary feeding.

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT SHOULD BE LONG-TERM AND PREDICTABLE

Stable conditions make it possible for everybody involved in wildlife management to plan their activities. A functional wildlife management needs to be long-term and predictable. The authorities’ communication, about changes in the current management, needs to be transparent and clear.

THE LEGISLATION SHOULD BE MODERN AND MEANS OF ACTIONS MUST BE EFFECTIVE

The hunting legislation should be easy to apply and to provide guidance from, and it should function together with other legislation. It should have room for adaptation to changes in nature as well as in society. An effective supervision is also needed in order to ensure compliance with the law. Economic instruments, such as grants and appropriations, should be transparent and simple to follow-up.

RESPONSIBILITIES, ROLES AND MANDATES MUST BE CLEAR

Decisions taken by authorities should be transparent and legally secure. The allocation of responsibilities and mandates for authorities and other stakeholders within wildlife management should be clearly formulated, and their activities should be followed-up on a regular basis. In addition, it should be easy to identify which authority that makes decisions in a certain case, and to follow the progress of a case.

DECISIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN AT THE RIGHT LEVEL USING THE RIGHT KNOWLEDGE

Decisions within wildlife management should be taken as close as possible to the people who are affected by them. Wildlife management is about considerations and compromises between differing interests, and will be carried out on international, national, regional or local level, depending on the nature of the issue. The regionalization of wildlife management should be evaluated and continue at a feasible pace. Opinions and experiences from stakeholders should be included when evaluating the regionalization. Those who make decisions should have knowledge about wildlife management, current legislation, and the frameworks that are set by the European Union.

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT SHOULD BE DONE IN COOPERATION

Wildlife affects various stakeholders in society, which calls for shared responsibility and respect for differing values and views. All stakeholders involved have a responsibility to contribute to a functioning cooperation. Forums for cooperation at different levels need to be developed and evaluated.

CREATE A CLEAR AND PREDICTABLE

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

CHOICE OF DIRECTIONS THAT

STRENGTHEN THE WILDLIFE

DECISIONS SHOULD BE BASED ON THE BEST AVAILABLE KNOWLEDGE

The wildlife management should use the best available knowledge within natural- and social sciences as a base for decisions. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has an important role in investigating the need for new knowledge, to disseminate results from research and evaluations, and to inform about tools and methods being used. Due to the regionalization, more people than previously are involved in decisions concerning wildlife management. This necessitates that, for example, research results and data about wildlife populations are available to different stakeholders.

IT-SYSTEMS MUST BE MODERN AND USER-FRIENDLY

Many different IT-systems are used today to handle information that is used in wildlife management, with different operators for different types of data. Through increased cooperation, and by applying the Government’s principles for electronic government, authorities can both streamline their activities and facilitate the exchange of information between different systems. Aggregated information about wildlife from authorities should be developed and simplified from a user perspective.

DATA SHOULD BE OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE

It must be clear what knowledge authorities are basing their decisions on. The fundamental principle for handling data should be that all non-confidential data is made open and accessible to different stakeholders. This will also enable companies, organizations and others to use the information for new innovative solutions within wildlife management. All data needed in management should also be processed according to current legislation, secured in long-term storage and be easy accessed.

BUILD WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ON

QUALITY-ASSURED KNOWLEDGE

SWEDEN SHOULD PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN WORK AT THE EU LEVEL

Sweden is a member of the European Union and the provisions of the union have a major impact on how we can manage wildlife in Sweden. It is therefore important to participate actively in work at the EU level and communicate the needs and experiences of the Swedish wildlife management, in order to contribute to an adaptive management.

SWEDEN WILL COOPERATE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES REGARDING WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

Sweden will deepen the cooperation with other countries to enhance the coordination of management of species that migrate or move across national borders. Many wildlife populations can be viewed as shared between several countries. We should also strive for an increased exchange of knowledge between countries concerning practical management, such as inventories of wildlife and other types of monitoring. By participating within the international research arena, for example through international research programs, we can also contribute to enhanced knowledge that can develop wildlife management.

COOPERATE ACTIVELY

WITH OTHER COUNTRIES

THE HUNTING LEGISLATION

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency proposes a review of the hunting legislation, including its relation to other legislation. In its current form, the hunting legislation is a complex system that has been through a large set of changes. This makes the legislation, particularly the Hunting Regulation, difficult to overview and to apply, for both the authorities and the general public. It is, for example, difficult to see how the current hunting legislation should function in conjunction with other legislation, such as EU-law or the law on confidentiality. A review can lead to the development of a modern, legally certain, and predictable hunting legislation that is easy to understand and apply.

An initial step in this process could be to review the Hunting Regulation. A more well-defined regulation with a more coherent structure can then be developed that implements EU-law in a correct and efficient manner. Such a review can also contribute to the regionalization by defining more focused roles for relevant authorities.

HUNTING SEASONS

As a part of the regionalization, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency proposes that decisions about the general hunting seasons should be reassigned from the Government to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency or, in some cases, to the County Administrative Boards. Such an arrangement increases the possibility to adapt wildlife management to regional and local conditions. This requires a commission from the Government.

A REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL AUTHORITIES’ COMMISSIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The distribution of responsibilities between national governmental authorities that work with wildlife management needs to be reviewed. Adjustments should be made to clarify and refine the authorities’ commissions, in order for the authorities to operate as efficiently as possible.

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency proposes that the Government should consider reassigning the following commissions and responsibilities from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency to the Swedish Board of Agriculture: • Farmed game and other wildlife held in captivity – Means of hunting within fenced areas should, however, remain a responsibility

assigned to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, as it is today.

• Type approval of wildlife trapping equipment –The use of wildlife trapping equipment should, however, remain a responsibility

assigned to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, as it is today.

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency proposes that the following changes should be made in the Swedish Environ mental Protection Agency’s commission:

• The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency should be given a clear commission to promote the sustainable use of wildlife. • The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency should be given an increased responsibility for surveillance and monitoring

of wildlife populations.

• The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency should be given a specific responsibility to develop national management plans for ungulates, large carnivores and large birds.

• The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency should be commissioned to decide about hunting seasons, with the possibility to delegate some decisions to the County Administrative Boards.

The Swedish Parliament and Government are responsible for the overall provisions for wildlife

management. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency is the national administrative authority for

conservation, hunting and other wildlife management issues. Several other authorities have important

roles within wildlife management, for example the County Administrative Boards, the Swedish Board

of Agriculture, the Swedish Forest Agency and the National Food Agency.

In order to develop the wildlife management in line with the strategic choice of directions, the Swedish

Environmental Protection Agency proposes the following changes at the national level.

PROPOSALS FOR CHANGES AT

THE NATIONAL LEVEL

REGIONALIZATION

As a basis for decisions about further regionalization of the wildlife management, a review and an evaluation is needed regarding how the current regional wildlife management has worked. Various opinions regarding how the Wildlife Management Delegations work have been communicated to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. We therefore propose to primarily review the role, mandate and composition of the delegations.

HUNTING ON PRIVATE AND PUBLIC WATERS AND IN THE SWEDISH ECONOMIC ZONE

The Hunting Regulation should be changed to enable licensed seal hunting, in accordance with previous proposals from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The County Administrative Boards’ commission to examine applications for hunting on public waters needs to be evaluated and reviewed, to develop a more predictable procedure. The possibility to hunt in the Swedish economic zone should be investigated. Unlike Sweden, Finland currently permits seal hunting in their economic zone.

FUNDING OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

Efficient funding of the wildlife management system is important in order for it to operate effectively. A fundamental question is which parts of the management that should be funded by taxes, and which parts that should be funded by fees. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency assesses that there may be reasons to advocate for an increased proportion of tax fun-ding, since wildlife is an important common resource for the society. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency therefore reasons that a review of the funding of wildlife management is needed. The review should also include funding via the Wildlife Management Fund.

In order to clarify the financial frameworks for wildlife management, the governmental funding that is allocated to wildlife management through appropriation 1:3 Measures for valuable nature should be reallocated to a separate appropriation or, alternatively, to a separate appropriation post in the overall budget.

WILDLIFE PRODUCTS

It is important to facilitate the handling of felled game in order to promote the sustainable use of wildlife. This applies particularly to the possibility of selling and processing game meat, as well as processing leather and horn products, which should not be limited by unjustified obstacles. It is also important to simplify regulations and to facilitate business enterprises within wildlife tourism and other nature experience sectors.

THE SWEDISH ENVIRONMENTAL

PROTECTION AGENCY AS THE

NATIONAL WILDLIFE AUTHORITY

– STRATEGY, OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency is Sweden’s national authority for conservation, hunting,

and other wildlife management issues. Below, we describe how we will proceed with the strategic

choice of directions until 2020, which objectives we have established, and which concrete measures

we are planning to implement.

PROMOTE THE SUSTAINABLE USE

OF WILDLIFE AS A RESOURCE

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s commission should be expanded to include promotion of the sustainable use of wildlife. It should be simple to use wildlife in a versatile manner. We need to facilitate for different stakeholders to have access to the values of wildlife, and for hunters to be given the opportunity to hunt. We need to take consequences for the sustainable use of wildlife into account when we make decisions. The type of use that contributes to reduced damages to rural enterprises and industries, like agriculture and forestry, should be promoted in particular. We also need to cooperate with authorities and other stakeholders in order to increase the availability of game meat and other wildlife products on the market.

From 2016, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has a commission to promote

and develop the sustainable use of wildlife.

From 2016, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency will clarify opportunities for

hunting in protected areas by providing guidance and when changing regulations and

agreements.

From 2016, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency will take into account the

consequences for wildlife and its sustainable use during decision-making.

In 2018, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has contributed to increased

opportunities for the sustainable use of wildlife for more groups, enterprises and rural

industries.

In 2018, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has investigated the possibilities

of permitting public hunting of small game on land owned by the state, or by state-

OBJECTIVE

SECONDARY

OBJECTIVES

•

Identify values of ecosystem services provided by wildlife. This includes, for example,

wildlife and hunting experiences, and wildlife’s structuring effects on ecosystems that

benefit humans.

•

Act towards making more of the protected areas attractive for tourism.

•

Make sure that knowledge concerning reintroduction of species that are a natural

part of our fauna.

•

Investigate possibilities for hunters who do not own land to be able to hunt by, for

example, investigating the possibility to primarily permit small game hunting on land

outside the reindeer husbandry areas that are owned by the state or by state-owned

companies.

•

Develop opportunities to practice new hunting methods.

•

Facilitate local management and reduce authority administration by promoting general

hunting seasons for as many species as possible.

•

Facilitate the handling of felled game and wildlife products.

MEASURES

PREVENT DAMAGES AND OTHER PROBLEMS

CAUSED BY WILDLIFE

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency will, in cooperation with other relevant authorities, work to prevent damages caused by wildlife. This involves both ways to manage populations that are causing extensive damages, and to a greater extent enable multi-species management. We want to develop acceptance thresholds for damages caused by wildlife to rural enterprises and industries and to simplify the assessment of damages caused by ungulates and large birds. We will also promote innovation concerning methods to prevent damage and make sure that those affected by damages and other inconveniences have access to support.

In 2020, preventive measures have been implemented in order to reduce damages

caused by wildlife to rural enterprises and industries, like agriculture and forestry, and

to reduce traffic accidents involving wildlife.

In 2017, the opportunities to hunt wildlife species that cause extensive damages have

increased.

In 2018, new methods to prevent damages caused by wildlife are available.

In 2018, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has, in consultation with

relevant stakeholders, proposed acceptance thresholds for damages caused by wildlife

to rural enterprises and industries (not including reindeer husbandry). The proposals

will lead to increased consideration of socio-economic aspects.

•

Propose acceptance thresholds for damages caused by wildlife to rural enterprises

and industries (not including reindeer husbandry). The proposals will be developed in

consultation with relevant stakeholders.

•

Develop guidelines for multi-species management of ungulates in order to prevent

damages.

•

Develop common interagency methods to measure damages caused by ungulates and

large birds.

•

Clarify opportunities for hunting on the initiative of the authorities, in the event of

urgent need.

•

Develop new regulations and guidance regarding supplementary or diversionary feeding

of ungulates, to reduce damages caused by the aggregated distribution of ungulates.

A commission from the Government is required to formulate new regulations.

•

Promote innovation in order to prevent damages caused by wildlife.

•

Enhance knowledge about the impact of large carnivores on ungulate populations.

•

Promote licensed seal hunting.

•

Promote an increase in support for preventing damages caused by more species of

MEASURES

OBJECTIVE

SECONDARY

OBJECTIVES

In 2018, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has reviewed the hunting

legislation in order to achieve an effective and efficient wildlife management.

In 2017, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has decided on regulations

for the use of wildlife trapping equipment, in order to clarify the permitted use of such

equipment for hunting.

•

Allocate resources in order to analyse the need for a new legislation and propose

measures to the Government.

•

Develop regulations for the use of wildlife trapping equipment.

CREATE A CLEAR AND PREDICTABLE

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency will work towards improving regulations and other instruments, to ensure that they are clear and efficient. Conditions and reporting requirements for grants and appropriations will be formulated in such a way as to enable follow up on money expenditures.

We will also promote a modernisation of the hunting legislation and develop regulations and guidance that support the County Administrative Boards and other stakeholders involved in the regionalization of the wildlife management.

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency will be transparent and long-term in its planning and anchoring of management measures. We will develop tools and arenas for cooperation within wildlife management, and evaluate how the cooperation works. We will also strengthen our capacity to coordinate and guide the County Administrative Boards, as described in a specific action plan.

MEASURES

OBJECTIVE

SECONDARY

OBJECTIVES

In 2018, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has implemented measures to

develop cooperation among stakeholders to support a well-functioning wildlife management.

In 2016, a multiannual plan has been decided on for how the Swedish Environmental

Protection Agency should give guidance to and cooperate with the County Administrative

Boards.

In 2016, there is a multiannual program area for parts of the wildlife management

that are eligible for grants, in order to facilitate long-term planning for the County

Administrative Boards.

In 2016, the environmental cooperation Miljösamverkan Sverige includes a wildlife

section with designated funds, in order to support the regionalization.

In 2016, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has established a national

wildlife council, in order to further develop cooperation among stake-holders to achieve

a well-functioning wildlife management.

•

Develop a plan for The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s future guidance

initiatives within wildlife management that covers the next three-year period, in order

to increase the possibilities for long-term planning by the County Administrative

Boards. The plan should be updated annually in consultation with the County

Administrative Boards.

•

Establish multiannual program areas for wildlife management that are implemented by

the County Administrative Boards.

•

Clarify conditions and reporting requirements for grants and appropriations so that they

can be followed-up and evaluated.

•

Work towards a development of the environmental cooperation Miljösamverkan Sverige to

include a wildlife section with designated funds, in order to support the regionalization.

•

Develop tools and arenas for cooperation, and evaluate how the cooperation works.

MESURES

OBJECTIVE

SECONDARY

OBJECTIVES

In 2020, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has implemented an extended

regionalization of the wildlife management so that decisions are taken closer to those

affected.

In 2017, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has decided on regulations for

the County Administrative Boards’ decisions about licensed wolverine hunting, so that

decisions are taken at the regional level.

In 2020, there are new national management plans for large carnivores, ungulates and

large birds that increase the potential for multispecies management.

•

Develop regulations for hunting seasons that clarify which wildlife species should be

managed regionally, if the Swedish Environmental Agency is given such a commission.

•

Develop regulations/legislation for licensed hunting of wolverine by the County

Administrative Boards.

•

Implement guidance and training for the County Administrative Boards.

•

Establish three national management plans: one for large carnivores, one for ungulates

and one for large birds. The plans should be formulated for the national level, but also

provide support to wildlife management at the regional level.

MESURES

Photo: Magnus Nyman, Johnér Bildbyrå

OBJECTIVE

SECONDARY

OBJECTIVES

BUILD WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ON

QUALITY-ASSURED KNOWLEDGE

Wildlife management should be based on the best available knowledge. The Swedish Environ-mental Protection Agency has a major responsibility to fund science that support wildlife management, and to ensure that up-to-date knowledge is disseminated and put to use. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency will also follow the principles for e-government and cooperate with other stakeholders to promote effective and user-friendly IT-systems and exchange of data. Non-confidential data will be made open and freely available to others.

In 2018, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has made data and other

information about wildlife easy to use for authorities and others.

In 2017, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has a new channel to communicate

research results and other knowledge to stakeholders within wildlife management.

•

Follow-up how wildlife research funding is used to increase our knowledge within the

research areas we prioritize in our Research Strategy for the Wildlife Management Fund

2015–2020.

•

Promote best available knowledge within wildlife management.

•

Make use of knowledge from several stakeholders through commissions assigned by

competitive procurement.

•

Introduce reporting requirements for grants within wildlife management in order to

improve the quality and cost-effectiveness.

•

Clarify methods and reporting requirements within wildlife monitoring.

MESURES

OBJECTIVE

SECONDARY

OBJECTIVES

In 2018, common environmental information on wildlife among authorities is

formulated in accordance with modern e-government. This means easy access to

data and information that can be compared and used freely by everyone.

In 2018, quality-assured information and guidance about wildlife will be readily available.

•

Investigate how IT-systems used in wildlife management, including quality-assured

wildlife databases, can be adapted to modern e-government, to facilitate exchange of

information and to increase accessibility and transparency.

•

Provide the Government with proposals for adjustments to the Secrecy Act.

•

Make non-confidential data from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency open

and freely available.

•

Review and decide which databases that should be used to store wildlife monitoring data.

MESURES

In 2017, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has a designated responsibility

for the monitoring of wildlife populations in order to assure the quality for wildlife

management.

Investigate how a designated responsibility for monitoring of wildlife populations may

be formulated.

MESURES

OBJECTIVE

OBJECTIVE

SECONDARY

OBJECTIVES

COOPERATE ACTIVELY

WITH OTHER COUNTRIES

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency will provide the Government with supportive information that is necessary in order to be an active and driving force in the European Union’s work within the field of wildlife management.

We will also enhance and ensure cooperation with other countries, for example our Nordic neighbouring countries, and participate within the international research arena.

In 2018, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has contributed to an

enhanced cooperation within wildlife management and research, between Sweden

and other countries.

In 2018, some species are managed in cooperation with other Nordic countries and,

when needed, with Russia, to ensure a long-term, stable wildlife management.

In 2020, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has developed a new research

strategy that contributes to the international exchange of knowledge about wildlife.

•

Develop supportive information about the needs within wildlife management in order to

facilitate governmental work at the EU level.

•

Promote Swedish participation in research cooperation and the exchange of knowledge,

with the purpose of developing knowledge and methods for multi-species management.

•

Cooperate with other countries to benefit wildlife management in Sweden.

•

Clarify and disseminate knowledge about the framework that the EU membership sets

for Swedish wildlife management.

MESURES

OBJECTIVE

SECONDARY

OBJECTIVES

Photo: Jörgen W

ISBN-978-91-620-8797-5

ABOUT THE SWEDISH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY’S STRATEGY FOR

SWEDISH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

The Strategy for Swedish Wildlife Management is a national strategy that describes a choice of directions in order to develop and strengthen Sweden’s wildlife management up to the year 2020. It concerns all authorities and stakeholders that have an interest in wildlife and its management. The strategy should be seen as guidance that can be used as a basis for own strategies, objectives and activities.

According to the Hunting Act, all wild mammals and birds are defined as wildlife. The strategy focuses on management of the species that we manage through hunting – which can be referred to as “game species” or “huntable wildlife”. This term also includes species that are potentially huntable, now and in the future.

The overall wildlife policy framework, and the legislation about hunting and wildlife, are decided by the Swedish Parliament. EU-legislation and international commitments also set frames for the wildlife management. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency is the national administrative authority in Sweden that is responsible for issues concerning hunting and wildlife. Other authorities as, for example, the County Administrative Boards, the Swedish Board of Agriculture and the Swedish Forest Agency, also have important roles in the wildlife management.

The Strategy for Swedish Wildlife Management has been developed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of the Government. During the process we have consulted representatives from the County Administrative Boards and other authorities, interest groups, the research community, and stakeholders within rural enterprises and industries, such as forestry, agriculture, fisheries and reindeer herding.