Portugal raises turtle dove hunting quota to 15,000 birds

The ICNF has renewed authorisation to hunt turtle doves for the 2026/2027 season, citing scientific confirmation that the species' population trend remains compatible with hunting. The quota rises from 13,200 to 15,000 birds, with hunting restricted to 23 and 30 August. This follows a four-year moratorium introduced in 2021 after an 80% population decline over 40 years, and a year after hunting resumed earlier than originally planned. Conservationists, including from SPEA and LPN, argue the moratorium should have lasted longer and criticise the lack of public data on hunting monitoring and enforcement needed to verify compliance.