Final Evaluation Report

LIFE11INF/IT/253 LIFE + Information and Communication “Safe havens for wild birds”

Action E.2: Evaluation of the “Safe havens for wild birds” campaign: Monitoring of the project impact on the main target audience and on the environmental problem targeted in Greece

Covering the project activities from 01/12/2012 to 10/09/2015

Reporting Date <10/09/2015>

LIFE+ PROJECT NAME or Acronym < LIFE11INF/IT/253>

Author: Dr Georgios Karris – Lecturer TEI of Ionian Islands

LIST OF CONTENTS

Introduction ………………………………………………………………………... 2 Methodology ………………………………………………………………………. 3 Results ……………………………………………………………………………... 5 Discussion …………………………………………………………………………. 30 References …………………………………………………………………………. 35 Annex ……………………………………………………………………………… 36

INTRODUCTION This action aims at monitoring, measuring and evaluating the “Safe havens for wild birds” campaign, in Greece and more specifically in the Ionian Islands, based on detecting possible attitude changes that will be occurred in the targeted groups concerning illegal killing of migratory birds. The first phase of the evaluation was taken place during the period 01-12-2013 to 10-04- 2013 through a public opinion questionnaire-based survey (see Baseline Evaluation Report) and just before the beginning of the current LIFE project. The results of this first survey were used as a baseline data set regarding the attitude towards illegal killing in the target audience as well as the perceptions and knowledge of migratory avifauna species and the migration pattern. Here we present the respective results of the second phase of the E2 Action which was also based on a questionnaire-based survey during the period 10-07-2015 to 10-09-2015. The main goal of this second phase, is the quantitative and qualitative comparison with the conclusions of the first phase, so as to detect possible:

 change of attitude and increase in knowledge about migratory birds and illegal killing during spring migration in the local community: hunters associations, landowners and local environmentally friendly business  change of attitude and increase in knowledge about migratory birds and illegal killing during spring migration amongst the younger generation  change of attitude and increase in knowledge about migratory birds and illegal killing during spring migration amongst law enforcement authorities

As changes in attitude are difficult to measure, both surveys were used also to record any initiatives taken by the targeted groups towards the protection of migratory birds or towards stopping illegal killings. Moreover, the surveys searched for individuals with a more active attitude towards the environmental problem targeted and tried to enhance the level of teachers and schoolchildren involvement, awareness and participation in the respective public awareness campaign. Finally, changes in the frequency of wardening and controls during spring migration period by the law enforcement authorities were also been monitored.

METHODOLOGY During the second phase of the current action, data were collected through a questionnaire- based survey which was conducted in collaboration with a number of public and private services in Zakynthos and Corfu Prefectures from July to September 2015. The questionnaire (4 types according to each group of interest – Annexes A to D) was distributed to 4 main target groups:

 Schoolchildren,  Hunters belonging to local hunting associations,  Local community except hunting society, and  Competent national and local authorities

Each type of questionnaire was consisted of closed and open-ended questions. The questionnaires included questions of general information regarding the profile of the respondents as well as questions of specific interest about the conservation value of Ionian Islands for migratory birds during spring and poaching as a threat for the conservation of migrants. The method ensured respondent anonymity so as to increase willingness for participation to the survey and make it impossible to direct link incriminating data to a specific individual. Structure and type of questions were quite the same during the two phases of this work so as to allow comparisons and evaluation of the effectiveness of the current LIFE Communication project. Additionally, the obtained data could give the opportunity for further analysis in a time- spatial scale. For example, the collected hunting data included, hunting characteristics e.g. number of used bullets per year, main hunting areas, hunting months and average hunting days per month. The data related to hunting activity included a list of the birds which constitute the main target species of hunting, population trends of main target species, evaluation of possible threats for migratory birds etc. Hunting activities were illustrated on maps using 2x2 km grid in order to identify the main areas suffering from illegal hunting (Fig. 1). It has to be mentioned that hunters could not provide direct information on the total number of birds killed per season. On the other hand the level of hunting pressure in combination with the population trends of target species like Turtle Doves could give a rough picture of the threat’s magnitude.

Map of Zakynthos Island used on the questionnaire based survey

The acquired data from questionnaires were stored in an Access data-base and were further spatially examined in Αrc GIS 9.3 software. The expected produced distribution maps will represent the core hunting areas used by illegal hunters in the Ionian Islands.

RESULTS

A. General information

A total number of 181 individuals corresponded to our second phase survey, under a questionnaire orientated methodological approach during July-September 2015. The majority of them were schoolchildren (83inds, 45.86%) followed by local community (68 inds, 37.57%), hunters (23 inds, 12.71%) and authorities (7 inds, 3.87%). Figure 1 shows the participation of individuals per target group during the first survey (December 2012-April 20130 and the second survey). Schoolchildren and local residents were the most abundant target groups of both surveys, followed by hunters and members of public authorities.

Figure 1. Corresponded individuals per target group during each phase of our study.

The total number of the respondents during both phases of the study was 416. It was expected that the final total number of the individuals could be up to 600-800. We assumed that non- response behaviour from the stakeholders and/or a delay from the public and private authorities to give the necessary permissions and allow the dissemination of the specific questionnaires to the target audience (e.g. schoolchildren inside classrooms, hunters belonged to local hunting federations etc.) may be attributed to our survey which included sensitive questions about illegal shooting and its impacts on birds and society. However, the responsive individuals are representative of the local Ionian communities and demonstrate increased response accuracy.

B. Schoolchildren

The group of schoolchildren which was responded to our survey was represented by both sexes in almost an equal basis, as it was also observed during the first phase (Fig. 2). The students who filled questionnaires mostly belonged to Secondary level of Education (58 inds, 69.88%) followed by students of Primary level of Education (25 inds, 30.12%) (Fig.3). It has to be mentioned that the number of students of Primary level of Education who participated in the second phase of our study was assumed as representative contrary to the respective number during the first phase, while the majority of the students were aged between 12-14 years old (Fig.3).

Figure 2. Sex ratio of schoolchildren participated to the current work Figure 3. Age classification of schoolchildren participated to survey during each phase of our study. during each phase of our study.

About 71.08% of the schoolchildren had a previous experience of Environmental Education (Fig. 4) during the second phase of our study whereas the respective score during the first phase was much lower (47.46%). The majority of the schoolchildren declared the willingness to participate in future activities within the framework of Formal Environmental Education (Fig. 5) during both phases.

Figure 4. Past Environmental Education experience of Figure 5. Declaration of schoolchildren willingness to participate to schoolchildren participated to the questionnaire based survey during future Environmental Education projects during each phase of our each phase of our study. study.

The level of knowledge of schoolchildren regarding the importance of the Ionian Islands in spring migration for the Eastern Mediterranean was increased during the last two years from 51% to 65% (Fig. 7 & Fig.8).Schoolchildren seemed also to increase their awareness about the significant pressure of illegal shooting on bird populations in a local scale. More specifically, the 36% of the schoolchildren in 2015 believe that illegal shooting pressure is significant in the Ionian Islands whereas the respective score was 16% in 2013 (Fig.9 & Fig.10).

Figure 7. The level of knowledge in schoolchildren community Figure 8. The level of knowledge in schoolchildren community regarding the importance of the Ionian Islands for birds’ migration regarding the importance of the Ionian Islands for birds’ migration during the second phase of the study (2015). during the first phase of the study (2013).

Figure 9. Evaluation of hunting pressure on birds in the Ionian Figure 10. Evaluation of hunting pressure on birds in the Ionian Islands through the eyes of schoolchildren during the second Islands through the eyes of schoolchildren during the first phase phase of the study (2015). of the study (2013).

It is worthwhile to mention that according to our results the 36% (30 inds) of the interviewed schoolchildren are still participating to hunting activities as it is shown in Figures 11 &12. and that, a significant proportion of them (60%, 18inds) have participated to poaching which takes place during spring migration in the Ionian Islands (Fig. 10). Nevertheless, the total percentage of schoolchildren (21.7%, 18inds out of 83inds) who have participated to poaching during spring migration is comparable with the respective score (17%) in 2013 (Fig. 13). 7

Figure 11. Participation of schoolchildren to hunting Figure 12. Participation of schoolchildren to hunting activities spread around the Ionian Islands during the activities spread around the Ionian Islands during the first second phase of the study (2015). phase of the study (2013).

Figure 13. Seasonal pattern of hunting activities according to schoolchildren during the first phase of the study (2013). Another aspect of schoolchildren thoughts is that an increasing majority from 2013 to 2015 seems to realize that poaching activity has a serious impact on the conservation status of migratory avifauna species (Figures 14 & 15). The majority (65-68%) believes also that this impact is negative for birds in as it is shown in Figures 16 & 17. On the other hand the minority which believes that illegal shooting doesn’t constitute a threat for birds’ migration was decreased from 25% to 13% during the period 2013-15 (Figures 14 & 15).

Figure 14. Impact of hunting activity on birds’ migration Figure 15. Impact of hunting activity on birds’ migration according to schoolchildren during the second phase of the according to schoolchildren during the first phase of the study (2015). study (2013).

Figure 16. Impact of hunting activities on birds’ migration Figure 17. Impact of hunting activities on birds’ migration according to schoolchildren during the second phase of the according to schoolchildren during the first phase of the study study (2015). (2013).

In pie charts 18 & 19 it is shown that most of the schoolchildren are characterized by an absence of knowledge (even if the relevant proportion has been decreased from 56% to 46% during the last two years) regarding the legislation framework for hunting activities which in parallel is combined with willingness for receiving respective information (Fig. 20).

Figure 18. Level of schoolchildren knowledge for a Figure 19. Level of schoolchildren knowledge for a legislation framework which is referred to hunting activity legislation framework which is referred to hunting activity during the second phase of the study (2015). during the first phase of the study (2013).

Figure 20. Schoolchildren willingness for receiving further information about the rules for a legal hunting activity during the first phase of the study (2013).

C. Hunters

A total number of 23 local hunters (mostly from Zakynthos Island, 13inds 57%) was responded to the questionnaire based survey of the second phase of our study. All of them were males whereas in 2013 one of the responded hunters was female (Fig. 21). Additionally all the age classes of hunters were represented whereas the majority of them belonged to the classes of 26-40 and 43-55 years old (Fig. 22).

Figure 21. Sex ratio of hunters participated to the current work during the first phase of the study (2013).

Figure 22. Age classification of hunters participated to the current work during each phase of our study.

The majority of the hunters belonged to secondary education during both phases of our study (Fig. 23). Additionally and in an occupation level a wide distribution was observed for both phases of our study as it is shown in Figure 24. 11

Figure 23. Education level of hunters participated to the current work during each phase of our study.

Figure 24. Hunters main occupation responded to our survey during each phase of our study.

The majority of hunters declared a long experience (more than ten years) in hunting activities during both phases of our study (Fig.25). Hunters have also declared that family constitutes the main source of poaching motivation as it is declared during the first phase in 2013 (Fig. 26).

Figure 25. Hunting experience (years) of hunters corresponded to the current work during each phase of our study.

Figure 26. Origin of motivation for participation to hunting activity according to local hunters

Specific knowledge of hunters on hunting regulations according to the relevant greek legislation was satisfying during both phases of the study as it is shown in Figures 27 & 28. Hunters mainly trust hunting federations so as to to receive specific information which concerns hunting regulations per year as it is shown in Figures 29 and 30.

Figure 27. Hunters declaration on knowledge regarding hunting Figure 28. Hunters declaration on knowledge regarding hunting regulations in Greece during the second phase of the study (2015). regulations in Greece during the first phase of the study (2013).

Figure 29. Services that hunters trust for receiving reliable Figure 30. Services that hunters trust for receiving reliable information on hunting regulations during the second phase of the information on hunting regulations during the first phase of the study (2015). study (2013).

The 70 to 80% of the hunters believe that they have an average up to good level of knowledge for the conservation status (including population, threats etc.) of the avifauna biodiversity with emphasis on migratory birds (Figures 31 & 32). The bodies they trust to receive update information from regarding conservation issues on birds are mainly hunting federations followed by the forestry services. It’s very important to mention that environmental NGOs and in a lesser extent higher education institutes have increased their reliability into the society of local hunters during the last two years (Figures 33 & 34).

Figure 31. Level of hunters knowledge regarding the current Figure 32. Level of hunters knowledge regarding the current conservation status of wild birds during the second phase of the conservation status of wild birds during the first phase of the study (2015). study (2013).

Figure 33. Services that hunters trust for receiving reliable Figure 34. Services that hunters trust for receiving reliable information for the conservation status of birds during the second information for the conservation status of birds during the first phase of the study (2015). phase of the study (2013).

Only a minority of the local hunters had a previous participation to awareness events which are referred to poaching during spring migration in the Ionian Islands even if the proportion has been icreased from 5% in 2013 to 22% in 2015 (Figures 35 & 36). It is worthwhile to mention that despite the fact that hunters showed a high degree of knowledge (21inds out of 23inds in 2015 survey) regarding the need for the existing national and european legislation for the safety of birds, 33% of the hunters declared that their seasonal hunting activity includes also spring months, mostly April and May (Fig. 37).

Figure 35. Participation of hunters to previous public awareness Figure 36. Participation of hunters to previous public awareness campaigns for the illegal hunting during spring migration during campaigns for the illegal hunting during spring migration during the second phase of the study (2015). the first phase of the study (2013).

Figure 37. Number of hunters who declare that their hunting activity takes place according to the relevant greek legislation or not, during the first phase of the study (2013).

Almost all of the hunters believe that a significant decrease of migratory birds population occurred during the last decades (Fig. 38). According to their opinion the intensive use of agrochemical products, changes of land uses as well as illegal hunting constitute the main threats for birds followed by climate changes and poison baits (Figures 39 & 40).

The survey during the second phase of the study showed also that a significant proportion of hunters (43%) believe that wardening of protected areas for birds (e.g. Special Protection Areas) has been more intensive in the Ionian islands during the last couple of years and just a 4% of hunters believe the opposite. 16

Figure 38. The opinion of hunters regarding the birds population trends during the last decades during the first phase of the study (2013).

Figure 39. The main conservation threats for migratory birds Figure 40. The main conservation threats for migratory birds according to local hunters in the Ionian Islands during the second according to local hunters in the Ionian Islands during the first phase phase of the study (2015). of the study (2013). .

During the first phase of the sudy the majority of local hunters (60%) believed that hunting activity is important for the local economy for a number of reasons (restaurants, stores for hunting equipment, accommodation etc.) (Fig. 41). This picture has been collapsed during the last two years since only the 13% of the local hunters still believe that hunting activity enhance the economy of Ionian islands.

Figure 41. Contribution of hunting activity to local economy according to hunters during the two phases of the study.

D. Local community (non hunters)

A total number of 68 residents, mostly from Zakynthos Island, was responded to the questionnaire based survey during the second phase of the current study (increase of about 33% according to the respective number of responded residents during the first phase in 2013). 28 of them were males and 40 were females (Fig. 42). Additionally all the age classes of people belonged to local communities were represented whereas the majority of them belonged to the class of 26-40 years old in both phases of our survey (Fig. 43).

Figure 42. Sex ratio of inhabitants participated to the current study during the two phases of the study.

Figure 43. Age classification of inhabitants participated to the current study during the two phases of the study.

The majority of the residents belonged to higher and secondary education for both phases whereas only 5 were of lower education (Fig. 44). Additionally and in an occupation level a wide distribution was observed during both phases as it is shown in Figure 45.

Figure 44. Education level of inhabitants participated to the current survey during the two phases of the study.

Figure 45. Type of occupation of inhabitants participated to the current study during the two phases of the study.

The majority of the residents seem to realize that the Ionian Islands constitute a significant migration corridor during spring migration as it shown in both surveys while the respective proportion has been icreased from 82% to 90% during the last two years (Figures 46 & 47). They have also declared that they have a good background for spring migration, at least as it was observed during the first phase of the study (Fig. 48).

Figure 46. Residents knowledge for the importance of Ionian Figure 47. Residents knowledge for the importance of Ionian Islands on birds migration during the second phase of the study Islands on birds migration during the first phase of the study (2015). (2013).

Figure 48. Residents knowledge on birds spring migration during the first phase of the study in 2013.

The majority (78-89%) of the inhabitants during the last two years believes that they have a poor up to average level of knowledge for the conservation status (including population, threats etc.) of the avifauna biodiversity with emphasis on migratory birds (Figures 49 & 50). This is in accordace with our findings during the second phase of the study where a high

proportion (82%) of the responded inhabitants declared that they haven’t participated to a public awareness campaign for the illegal hunting ocurred during spring migration. The bodies they trust to receive update information from regarding conservation issues on birds are mainly environmental NGOs (31-34%) and in a lesser extent forestry services, higher education institutes, the greek ministry of environment and hunting federations (Figures 51 & 52).

Figure 49. Level of knowledge of the local community (non Figure 50. Level of knowledge of the local community (non hunters) on birds conservation status during the second phase of hunters) on birds conservation status during the first phase of the the study. study.

Figure 51. Services that local community trust for receiving Figure 52. Services that local community trust for receiving reliable information for the conservation status of birds during reliable information for the conservation status of birds during the second phase of the study. the first phase of the study.

An increased majority (from 63% to 72%) of residents during the last two years believes that a decrease of migratory birds population occurred during the last decades (Fig. 53). It is worthwhile to mention that about 50% of the interviewed inhabitants believe that the decrease of migratory bird population is more than 20%, whereas a significant proportion (16%) during the last survey in 2015 believe that birds population decrease is more than 50%. According to their opinion poaching constitutes the most significant conservation threat for birds followed by the intensive use of agrochemical products, changes of land uses, poison baits and climate changes (Figures 54 & 55).

Figure 53. The opinion of inhabitants regarding the birds population trends during the last decades according to the questionnaire-based surveys of our study.

Figure 54. The main conservation threats for migratory birds Figure 55. The main conservation threats for migratory birds according to the local community of the Ionian Islands according according to the local community of the Ionian Islands according to the second phase of the study. to the first phase of the study.

In general, local community believes that hunting activity is not significantly contributed to local economy since only 10% has an opposite opinion during the current study. This is also in contrast with what local hunters declared for the same question (Fig. 56).

Figure 56. Contribution of hunting activity to local economy according to local community (excluding hunters) during both phases of the current study.

E. Authorities

A smaller sample (n=7) of authorities representatives participated to the second phase of our study. The majority of authorities’ representatives in both phases have declared that illegal hunting during spring migration is a common phenomenon as it is shown in Figure 57. In 2013, 66% of the interviewed staff of authorities noted that they have a good knowledge of birds spring migration in the Ionian Islands while the respective proportion has increased up to 100% in 2015 (Fig. 58).

Figure 57. Number of authorities’ representatives who declared that spring illegal hunting constitutes a common phenomenon during each phase of the study.

Figure 58. Knowledge on birds spring migration of authorities representatives in the Ionian Islands as it was observed during each phase of the study.

Even if poaching during spring migration was noted by the majority of authorities, the illegal hunting shooting pressure (number of illegal hunters) seems to have a wide estimation range during 2013 survey, depending on regions spread around the Ionian Islands (e.g. Zakynthos, Corfu, Paxoi etc.) while this was not the case for the respective survey in 2015 (Fig. 59). The respective data regarding the annual number of charges for poaching have also a wide range as it can be observed in Figure 60.

Figure 59. Estimation of poachers during spring migration according to authorities representatives in the Ionian Islands for both phase of the study.

Figure 60. Annual number of charges for poaching received by responsible authorities for wardening- patrolling protected areas during each phase of study.

A decrease of charges for poaching received by local authorities is declared during the last years according to the results of survey in 2013 (Fig. 61). Furthermore, the staff of responsible authorities for patrolling against poaching replied that the high level of coordination of wardening services against illegal hunting during spring migration is noticeable (Fig. 62). It is also very important to point out the increase of proportion regarding the coordination (by wardening services) of public awareness campaigns for poaching during spring migration in the Ionian Islands (57% and 15% in 2015 and 2013 surveys respectively, Fig. 63).

Figure 61. Trend of charges for poaching received by local authorities in the Ionian Islands during the last years (first phase of study in 2013).

Figure 62. Coordination between local authorities for wadening against poaching in the Ionian Islands during each phase of study.

Figure 63. Coordination of public awareness campaigns for poaching in the Ionian Islands by local wardening authorities during both phases of the current study.

The personnel of local authorities showed different opinions regarding the level of contribution of poaching to local economy. More specifically in 2013 the 37% of the interviewed individuals gave a significant positive impact whereas the 33% had a complete opposite thought. On the other hand the majority (63%) of of the interviewed individuals declared that there is not a financial profit from poaching in local community (Fig. 64).

Figure 64. Level of poaching contribution to local economy according to authorities responsible for wardening-patrolling the natural protected areas in the Ionian Islands.

According also to their opinion, poaching constitutes the most significant conservation threat for migratory birds followed by climate changes and changes of land uses, the intensive use of agrochemical products and poison baits. (Figure 65).

Figure 65. The main conservation threats for migratory birds according to local wardening authorities of the Ionian Islands during the second phase of the study.

DISCUSSION

Numerous studies have shown that social surveys constitute an essential tool used in conservation both to assess people’s behaviour and to understand its drivers. When topics of significant conservation concern are illegal (e.g. poaching during spring migration of birds), inferences drawn from survey obtained data must be interpreted and used very carefully due to potential influences of non-response and social-desirability bias. It is assumed that illegal killing has deep social and cultural roots and a change in attitude constitutes a complicated and difficult task. Poaching during spring migration in the Ionian Islands constitutes such an example. The current study is trying to gain a vital knowledge of the attitudes attached to the practice of poaching during spring migration in the Ionian Islands in western Greece. Additionally the collected information of the current study during its first phase in 2013 was used as a baseline data set in order to assess the efficiency of the LIFE planned public awareness campaign for spring poaching.

Schoolchildren Schoolchildren according to our results appear willing to participate to future Environmental Education (EE) projects independently of their previous experience on this specific form of education. We believe that children demand for further EE activities could be an advantage towards changing attitudes in the local community where a significant participation of schoolchildren in hunting activities was revealed. Enhancing EE projects through new specific kits of education material (as it is planned via the current LIFE project) could contribute to the elimination of the “tradition” known as spring hunting in the Ionian Islands and will serve the needs of the new generations for more information about environmental topics. It is believed that the current LIFE Communication project was contributed to the next goals for this specific target group:  About 71.08% of the schoolchildren had a previous experience of Environmental Education (Fig. 4) during the second phase of our study whereas the respective score during the first phase was much lower (47.46%).  The majority of the schoolchildren declared the willingness to participate in future activities within the framework of Formal Environmental Education (Fig. 5) during both phases.  The level of knowledge of schoolchildren regarding the importance of the Ionian Islands in spring migration for the Eastern Mediterranean was increased during the last two years from 51% to 65%.

 Schoolchildren seemed also to increase their awareness about the significant pressure of hunting on bird populations in a local scale. More specifically the 36% of the schoolchildren in 2015 believe that hunting pressure is significant in the Ionian Islands whereas the respective score was 16% in 2013.  An increasing majority from 2013 to 2015 seems to realize that hunting activity has a serious impact on the conservation status of migratory avifauna species. The majority (65-68%) believes also that this impact is negative for birds.  The minority which believes that hunting doesn’t constitute a threat for birds’ migration was decreased from 25% to 13% during the period 2013-15.

Hunters Local hunters are influenced mainly by their families and thus poaching cannot be understood only as an individual action but has to be explained as a local social phenomenon. It has to be mentioned that despite the fact that hunters declared a complete knowledge of the legislation for hunting regulations a 33% of them revealed an illegal hunting activity during spring months. They also believe that poaching is not a significant threat for the conservation status of migratory birds and that intensive use of agrochemical products constitutes the main threat for birds. The latter has to be combined with the trust which hunters appear to show to hunting federations for receiving update knowledge for conservation issues. Hunters in general believe also that hunting activity (including poaching) could pose a significant profit for the local community It is believed that the current LIFE Communication project was contributed to the next goals for this specific target group:  Specific knowledge of hunters on hunting regulations according to the relevant greek legislation seems to be satisfied during both phases of the study.  The bodies that hunters trust so as to receive update information for conservation issues on birds are mainly hunting federations followed by forestry services. It’s very important to mention that environmental NGOs and in a lesser extent higher education institutes have increased their reliability into the society of local hunters during the last two years.  Only a minority of the local hunters had a previous participation to awareness events which are referred to poaching during spring migration in the Ionian Islands even if the proportion has been icreased from 5% in 2013 to 22% in 2015.  Almost all of the hunters believe that a significant decrease of migratory birds population occurred during the last decades. According to their opinion the intensive

use of agrochemical products, changes of land uses as well as illegal hunting constitute the main threats for birds followed by climate changes and poison baits.  The survey during the second phase of the study showed also that a significant proportion of hunters (43%) believe that wardening of protected areas for birds (e.g. Special Protection Areas) has been more intensive in the Ionian islands during the last couple of years and just a 4% of hunters believe the opposite.  During the first phase of the sudy the majority of local hunters (60%) believed that hunting activity is important for the local economy for a number of reasons (restaurants, stores for hunting equipment, accommodation etc.). This picture has been collapsed during the last two years since only the 13% of the local hunters still believe that hunting activity enhance the economy of Ionian islands.

Local community Local community (excluding hunters) know about the value of the Ionian islands and islets as spring migratory stopover sites and showed a significant willing for more information about the conservation status (including population, threats etc.) of migratory avifauna species. In contrast with hunters local community trust mainly environmental NGOs and in a lesser and in a lesser degree forestry services, higher education institutes, the greek ministry of environment and last the hunting federations for receiving update information for conservation problems. The great difference with hunters society is that poaching is identified as the main threat for the conservation of migratory birds like Turtle Doves, followed by the intensive use of agrochemical products, changes of land uses, climate changes and poison baits. Additionally the residents believe that hunting activity is not significantly contributed to local economy and this is also in contrast with what local hunters declared for the same question. It is believed that the current LIFE Communication project was contributed to the next goals for this specific target group:  The majority of the residents seems to know-realize that the Ionian Islands constitute a significant migration path during spring migration as it shown in both surveys while the respective proportion has been icreased from 82% to 90% during the last two years.  The bodies that local community trusts so as to receive update information for conservation issues on birds are mainly environmental NGOs (31-34%) and in a lesser extent forestry services, higher education institutes, the greek ministry of environment and hunting federations.

 An increased majority (from 63% to 72%) of residents during the last two years believes that a decrease of migratory birds population occurred during the last decades. It is worthwhile to mention that about 50% of the interviewed inhabitants believe that the decrease of migratory bird population is more than 20%, whereas a significant proportion (16%) during the last survey in 2015 believe that birds population decrease is more than 50%.  According to their opinion poaching constitutes the most significant conservation threat for birds followed by the intensive use of agrochemical products, changes of land uses, poison baits and climate changes.  In general, local community believes that poaching activity is not significantly contributed to local economy since only 10% has an opposite opinion during the current study.

Local authorities The staff of local authorities which are responsible for wardening the natural protected areas in the Ionian Islands have declared that illegal shooting during spring migration is a common phenomenon even if the relevant charges have been increased, possibly as a result of a more severe and coordinated patrolling in the study area (e.g. the case of Strofades Islands). A lack of a common data base at a national scale regarding the illegal hunting pressure (e.g. number of illegal hunters, significant areas of poaching etc.) was also found. Moreover, the staff of competent authorities for patrolling against poaching showed indirectly that public awareness campaigns which will be referred to illegal shooting during spring migration have to be encouraged and enhanced.

It is believed that the current LIFE Communication project was contributed to the next goals for this specific target group:  In 2013, 66% of the interviewed staff of authorities noted that they have a good knowledge of birds spring migration in the Ionian Islands while the respective proportion has increased up to 100% in 2015.  The staff of responsible authorities for patrolling against poaching replied that the high level of coordination of wardening services against illegal hunting during spring migration is noticeable.  An increase of proportion regarding the coordination (by wardening services) of public awareness campaigns for poaching during spring migration in the Ionian Islands was observed during the last two years.

 The majority (63%) of of the interviewed individuals declared that there is not a financial profit from poaching in local community.  The personnel of local authorities showed different opinions regarding the level of contribution of poaching to local economy. More specifically in 2013 the 37% of the interviewed individuals gave a significant positive impact whereas the 33% had a complete opposite thought. On the other hand the majority (63%) of of the interviewed individuals declared that there is not a financial profit from poaching in local community.  The interviewed staff of authorities declared that poaching constitutes the most significant conservation threat for migratory birds followed by climate changes and changes of land uses, the intensive use of agrochemical products and poison baits.

Even if the current study was based on non direct data through distributed questionnaires and they have to be taken into account with caution, there is an urgent need to assess the total magnitude of poaching as a socioeconomic and environmental problem in the Ionian Sea. Furthermore the assessment of the significance of this threat for the conservation of migratory avifauna species is a prerequisite in order to propose and plan effective conservation actions to reduce the respective negative impact on bird populations and their habitats.

Acknowledgements We would like to thank Aggeliki Dalakiari from the Environmental Education Center of Lithakia (Zakynthos), Alexandra Ntouzevic and Myrto Vlachogianni from the Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Ionian Islands as well as Zoi Fondoulakou from the Hellenic Ornithological Society (HOS) for their vital help to the questionnaire-based surveys. Special thanks are due to all the volunteers of HOS that participated in the distribution of questionnaires through the LIFE information kiosks in Zakynthos and Kerkyra and to local authorities for their contribution to our study.

References

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ANNEX (QUESTIONNAIRES OF SECOND PHASE - 2015)

Annex A (Questionnaire for schoolchildren)

Annex B (Questionnaire for hunters)

Annex C (Questionnaire for local community)

Annex D (Questionnaire for competent and local authorities)