BirdLife Jamaica Urges NRCA to Keep Bird-Shooting Closed Until Populations Recover

BirdLife Jamaica (BLJ) has urged the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) to leave the bird-shooting closed season in place until independent science shows game-bird stocks have recovered enough to support hunting. The group is calling for at least one full year for birds and their habitats to rebuild.

The NRCA recently gave approval in principle for a restricted bird-shooting season in 2026, following widespread damage linked to Hurricane Melissa last year. Officials have indicated the 2026 season would probably be limited by geography and by a smaller number of shoots.

BirdLife Jamaica, a citizens’ organisation focused on advancing knowledge and conservation of birds and their habitats in Jamaica, said it is alarmed by that direction given the scale of forest and bird losses tied to the hurricane.

"BLJ believes that decisions regarding the re-opening of bird-shooting should be supported by transparent, publicly available scientific assessments of post-hurricane game-bird population recovery," the group said.

BLJ cited Forestry Department figures that Hurricane Melissa damaged 51 per cent of Jamaica’s forests, including up to 25 per cent of mangrove forests. In western and northern parishes, damage was estimated at 76 per cent to 100 per cent canopy loss—amounting to near-total loss of habitat for wild birds. Since the storm, members in affected parishes have reported steep declines in bird numbers, with some once-common species now missing entirely.

"Some members have been supplementing wild birds with fruit and seeds for over six months due to the severe reduction in natural food availability following the hurricane," BLJ said.

"Jamaica's game-birds — four species of native doves and pigeons — are a national resource that belongs to many stakeholders, not just hunters," it added.

BLJ is pressing the NRCA to rely on the precautionary principle before a final ruling on this year’s bird-shooting season, especially after a court decision affirming the constitutional rights of all Jamaicans to a healthy environment and protection of ecological heritage.

The organisation also raised doubts about the National Environment and Planning Agency’s ability to monitor and enforce bird-shooting and other wildlife violations. It further said effective public education on wildlife protection laws is urgently needed.