Muscat: The Environment Authority has issued Decision No. 13/2021 regarding the prohibition of hunting, tracking and simulation of sounds of birds and wild animals.
The decision states, "The possession and use of hunting, tracking, and simulating the sounds of birds and wild animals is prohibited in the Sultanate, except for those used for regulatory, scientific and research purposes authorized by the Environment Authority."
The article two stipulates that the Environment Authority shall issue the permit after evaluating the application by the authority’s specialists and determining the purpose of using the tools and devices for each case separately.
The third article stipulates that the permit is valid for a period of one year, and the authorised person is obligated to renew the permit before the expiry of its specified period. In the event that the renewal is not desired, he shall hand over the previously authorised tools and devices to the Environment Agency or the country of import in the event of a secondment.
The fourth article states that the Environment Authority shall collect fees for issuing a permit to possess and use hunting and tracking tools and devices and simulating the sounds of birds and wild animals for organisational, scientific and research purposes, which are OMR 5 for individuals and OMR 20 for commercial establishments and companies.
The fifth article lists out fines for violations:
-A fine of OMR 200 for each tool or device for violating the possession of unauthorised tools or devices.
-A fine of OMR 500 per tool or device for violating the use of tools or devices for the purpose of hunting.
-A fine of OMR 200 per tool or device for violating the use of tools or devices without permit or in event of an expired permit for regulatory, research and scientific purposes
-A fine of OMR 300 for anyone who violates the conditions of the permit