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Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação
António Ventura reviews hunting season, highlighting sustainable species management and stricter enforcement
António Ventura reviews hunting season, highlighting sustainable species management and stricter enforcement
Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação
Azores increase reforested area and step up active management of forest ecosystems
Azores increase reforested area and step up active management of forest ecosystems
Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação
Hunting calendars for 2025–2026 season published in Official Journal
Hunting calendars for 2025–2026 season published in Official Journal
March 24, 2026
António Ventura reviews hunting season, highlighting sustainable species management and stricter enforcement
January 27, 2026
Azores increase reforested area and step up active management of forest ecosystems
July 1, 2025
Hunting calendars for 2025–2026 season published in Official Journal
News
Nota de Imprensa
March 24, 2026
António Ventura reviews hunting season, highlighting sustainable species management and stricter enforcement
The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food, has released the final figures for the 2025/2026 hunting season. The data was presented during a visit to the Chã da Macela Hunting Post in the municipality of Lagoa. According to the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, the results demonstrate “responsible and sustainable management of natural resources, marked by business-as-usual activities, safety and enhanced monitoring.” This report reflects hunting activity across all islands of the archipelago, with hunting quotas adjusted to reflect population levels and the specific characteristics of each territory. Although hunting pressure remained broadly similar to that of the previous season, the Regional Government implemented technically justified and targeted adjustments. These include an increase in the number of days allocated for hunting wild rabbits on the islands of São Miguel, Faial and Flores, justified by the high abundance of the species, and the ban on hunting the common snipe on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira and Faial, in response to the observed decline in breeding populations. By the end of the season, the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources and Spatial Planning had issued 2,011 hunting licences, corresponding to 1,896 individual hunters. Out of this total, 1,905 licences were issued to residents and 106 to non-residents, consistent with the average registered over the last decade. The island of São Miguel accounted for the highest number of licences (924), followed by Terceira (371), Faial (162), Pico (138), São Jorge (117), Santa Maria (83), Flores (69) and Graciosa (41). The attractiveness for non-resident hunters was particularly high on Pico (23.2% of licences), São Jorge (18%), Graciosa (9.8%) and Terceira (9.4%). Between July 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026, the Forestry Services carried out 218 enforcement operations, totalling 1,087 hours of operation and 770 on-site inspections. Only eight offences were reported (mainly related to hunting outside permitted hours, failing to carry required documents, and hunting in forbidden areas), demonstrating a high level of compliance with the rules among hunters. During these surveys, 421 hunters (22.2% of those licensed for this season) were interviewed, with the majority expressing satisfaction with the current system: 60.1% believe that hunting seasons should remain unchanged, and 74.9% support maintaining the daily bag limits. In the coming months, the Regional Government will analyse population monitoring indicators, culling results and requests for density adjustments. This scientific data, combined with consultations with hunting associations, farmers and environmental organisations, will serve as the basis for the 2026/2027 hunting season, which begins on July 1. “The joint efforts of hunters, experts and partner organisations are strengthening the resilience of the Region and preparing the islands for future challenges,” stated António Ventura. The government official concluded by reiterating that “commitment to and respect for nature remain the foundation for ensuring balanced ecosystems and hunting practices aligned with sustainability.”
March 24, 2026
António Ventura reviews hunting season, highlighting sustainable species management and stricter enforcement
The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food, has released the final figures for the 2025/2026 hunting season. The data was presented during a visit to the Chã da Macela Hunting Post in the municipality of Lagoa. According to the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, the results demonstrate “responsible and sustainable management of natural resources, marked by business-as-usual activities, safety and enhanced monitoring.” This report reflects hunting activity across all islands of the archipelago, with hunting quotas adjusted to reflect population levels and the specific characteristics of each territory. Although hunting pressure remained broadly similar to that of the previous season, the Regional Government implemented technically justified and targeted adjustments. These include an increase in the number of days allocated for hunting wild rabbits on the islands of São Miguel, Faial and Flores, justified by the high abundance of the species, and the ban on hunting the common snipe on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira and Faial, in response to the observed decline in breeding populations. By the end of the season, the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources and Spatial Planning had issued 2,011 hunting licences, corresponding to 1,896 individual hunters. Out of this total, 1,905 licences were issued to residents and 106 to non-residents, consistent with the average registered over the last decade. The island of São Miguel accounted for the highest number of licences (924), followed by Terceira (371), Faial (162), Pico (138), São Jorge (117), Santa Maria (83), Flores (69) and Graciosa (41). The attractiveness for non-resident hunters was particularly high on Pico (23.2% of licences), São Jorge (18%), Graciosa (9.8%) and Terceira (9.4%). Between July 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026, the Forestry Services carried out 218 enforcement operations, totalling 1,087 hours of operation and 770 on-site inspections. Only eight offences were reported (mainly related to hunting outside permitted hours, failing to carry required documents, and hunting in forbidden areas), demonstrating a high level of compliance with the rules among hunters. During these surveys, 421 hunters (22.2% of those licensed for this season) were interviewed, with the majority expressing satisfaction with the current system: 60.1% believe that hunting seasons should remain unchanged, and 74.9% support maintaining the daily bag limits. In the coming months, the Regional Government will analyse population monitoring indicators, culling results and requests for density adjustments. This scientific data, combined with consultations with hunting associations, farmers and environmental organisations, will serve as the basis for the 2026/2027 hunting season, which begins on July 1. “The joint efforts of hunters, experts and partner organisations are strengthening the resilience of the Region and preparing the islands for future challenges,” stated António Ventura. The government official concluded by reiterating that “commitment to and respect for nature remain the foundation for ensuring balanced ecosystems and hunting practices aligned with sustainability.”
Nota de Imprensa
January 27, 2026
Azores increase reforested area and step up active management of forest ecosystems
In 2025, the Autonomous Region of the Azores recorded a 16.8% increase in forested area compared to the previous year, totalling around 141.5 hectares in new interventions. The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, emphasised that this growth demonstrates the Regional Government's commitment to the recovery and enhancement of the Azorean forest heritage. “The increase in the reforested area in 2025 demonstrates the Regional Government's firm commitment to the recovery and enhancement of the Azores' forest heritage. It confirms that we are consolidating a path of active management of our forests that simultaneously strengthens their environmental resilience and economic importance," stated the government official in reference to data from the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources and Spatial Planning. In 2025, a total of 493,568 plants were provided through the Region's Forest Nurseries. Companies and private entities were responsible for the afforestation of approximately 73.7 hectares, an impressive figure in a year of transition between Community frameworks. "It is expected that, with the entry into force of PEPAC support, there will be a significant increase in areas planted by private entities, particularly through the afforestation of adjacent pastures, contributing to raising the archipelago's afforestation rate, which currently stands at 31%," stated António Ventura. It is also important to highlight the role of the Regional Government, with afforestation interventions in 2025 covering around 60 hectares, either using its own resources or through partnerships. Most of these afforestation projects are associated with the management of public forest perimeters or the implementation of community projects, such as those co-financed by the LIFE programme. Other notable initiatives include tree planting by local authorities, associations and communities covering around 7.8 hectares. The planting strategy varied according to the goals set out for each area. Cryptomeria remained the preferred species for forestry production, occupying around 70 hectares. In areas designated for biodiversity conservation and recovery, priority was given to native species such as Azores Juniper, Azorean laurel, Azores laurel cherry and Azorean Holly, with 178,551 plants covering 40 hectares. "This increase in reforestation interventions falls within a broad strategy of adaptation to climate change, soil protection and water regulation, also reflecting a careful selection of species," explained the Regional Secretary. The government official also highlighted the use of ornamental species, such as oak trees and camellias, to enhance the landscaping of public areas. The increase in reforestation interventions in 2025 falls within a broader effort to restore degraded areas and boost the productivity of the Azorean forest, improve water regulation capacity and soil conservation, enhance ecosystem services, and build a more diverse and balanced landscape capable of promoting the territory's climate resilience.
January 27, 2026
Azores increase reforested area and step up active management of forest ecosystems
In 2025, the Autonomous Region of the Azores recorded a 16.8% increase in forested area compared to the previous year, totalling around 141.5 hectares in new interventions. The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, emphasised that this growth demonstrates the Regional Government's commitment to the recovery and enhancement of the Azorean forest heritage. “The increase in the reforested area in 2025 demonstrates the Regional Government's firm commitment to the recovery and enhancement of the Azores' forest heritage. It confirms that we are consolidating a path of active management of our forests that simultaneously strengthens their environmental resilience and economic importance," stated the government official in reference to data from the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources and Spatial Planning. In 2025, a total of 493,568 plants were provided through the Region's Forest Nurseries. Companies and private entities were responsible for the afforestation of approximately 73.7 hectares, an impressive figure in a year of transition between Community frameworks. "It is expected that, with the entry into force of PEPAC support, there will be a significant increase in areas planted by private entities, particularly through the afforestation of adjacent pastures, contributing to raising the archipelago's afforestation rate, which currently stands at 31%," stated António Ventura. It is also important to highlight the role of the Regional Government, with afforestation interventions in 2025 covering around 60 hectares, either using its own resources or through partnerships. Most of these afforestation projects are associated with the management of public forest perimeters or the implementation of community projects, such as those co-financed by the LIFE programme. Other notable initiatives include tree planting by local authorities, associations and communities covering around 7.8 hectares. The planting strategy varied according to the goals set out for each area. Cryptomeria remained the preferred species for forestry production, occupying around 70 hectares. In areas designated for biodiversity conservation and recovery, priority was given to native species such as Azores Juniper, Azorean laurel, Azores laurel cherry and Azorean Holly, with 178,551 plants covering 40 hectares. "This increase in reforestation interventions falls within a broad strategy of adaptation to climate change, soil protection and water regulation, also reflecting a careful selection of species," explained the Regional Secretary. The government official also highlighted the use of ornamental species, such as oak trees and camellias, to enhance the landscaping of public areas. The increase in reforestation interventions in 2025 falls within a broader effort to restore degraded areas and boost the productivity of the Azorean forest, improve water regulation capacity and soil conservation, enhance ecosystem services, and build a more diverse and balanced landscape capable of promoting the territory's climate resilience.