The Xunta publishes the hunting regulations in the Miño for the 2026-2027 season

The General Directorate of Natural Heritage of the Xunta de Galicia has ordered the publication in the Official Gazette of the Province of Pontevedra (no. 168, of September 2, 2026) of the agreement establishing the applicable regulations for hunting in the 2026/2027 season in the International Stretch of the Miño River (TIRM). This is Edict no. 003/2026, which regulates hunting activities between November 1, 2026, and January 6, 2027, both inclusive.

The agreement was adopted upon the proposal of the Spanish-Portuguese Mixed Commission at its meeting on April 8, 2026, and ratified by the International Permanent Commission of the Miño River (CPIRM) at its meeting on June 3, 2026. The regulation stems from article 14.2 of the Agreement between the Kingdom of Spain and the Portuguese Republic regarding the regulation of hunting in the waters and banks of the TIRM, signed in Trujillo on October 28, 2021, and published in the Official State Gazette no. 60, of March 11, 2023.

Scope and refuge zones

Hunting is authorized in the waters and banks of the TIRM located between the imaginary line connecting the island of Insua Grande (Spain) with the Regato de Carregal (Portugal), upstream from the Tui-Valença railway bridge, and the line connecting the São Sebastião pier in Seixas (Portugal) with the bridge over the Tamuxe river (Spain). The Mauricia or Morraceira de Seixas island is excluded.

Hunting is permitted on the Spanish islands of Insua Grande, Americana, and the island located after Insua Grande, as well as on the islands of Varandas or Canosa de Arriba, Morraceira de Lanhelas or Pozas, Cu de Porco de Arriba, Cu de Porco de Abaixo, and two islands in the Guillarei/Paramos area.

The following are prohibited as refuge zones:

• The stretch between the Tui-Valença railway bridge and the mouth of the Louro river, on both banks, for a length of approximately 2,000 meters.
• The stretch between the line connecting the Aquamuseu (Portugal) with the Goián pier (Spain) and the Goián–Vila Nova de Cerveira International Bridge, for approximately 1,500 meters.
• The stretch between the mouth of the Miño in the Atlantic and the line connecting the São Sebastião pier with the bridge over the Tamuxe, including the islands of Canosa, Morraceira do Grilo or Vimbres, and the Mauricia or Morraceira de Seixas islet.

Days, species, and bags

Hunting is authorized on Thursdays, Sundays, and public holidays of both countries, from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. November 1, 2026, December 1, 6, and 8, 2026, and January 6, 2027, are considered holidays, while hunting is prohibited on December 25, 2026, and January 1, 2027.

The huntable species are:

• Ducks: mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and common teal (Anas crecca).
• Waders: common snipe (Gallinago gallinago), Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) and Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola).
• Pigeons: common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) and collared dove (Columba oenas).
• Thrushes: song thrush (Turdus philomelos), redwing (Turdus iliacus), fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) and mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorus).
• Others: American mink (Neovison vison), which does not count towards the maximum number of pieces.

A maximum of fourteen pieces per hunter per day is authorized: up to five between mallard and teal, up to four common snipes, up to three woodcocks, up to one Eurasian coot and up to one collared dove.

Authorizations and limitations

Each country will issue eighty special authorizations, free of charge. Individual registrations will be made starting from October 1, 2026 at the Naval Command of the Miño (Tui) or at the Naval Detachment of Camposancos (O Pasaxe), and a hunting license from the Xunta de Galicia, ID (DNI), weapons guide and permit, and civil liability insurance are required. The daily authorization must be collected on the last business day prior to the hunting day and returned with the record of the pieces killed.

Lead ammunition is prohibited, in accordance with Law 42/2007 and Regulation (EU) 2021/57, as well as automatic or semi-automatic weapons with magazines of more than two cartridges. Hunting is only permitted by flushing, waiting, and with falconry birds, and it is forbidden to shoot or aim towards the ground. The edict is signed by the Lieutenant Commander, Naval Commander of the Miño and President of the Spanish Delegation of the CPIRM, Víctor García Pozuelo.

The publication of these regulations is of direct interest to hunters from both countries and to the residents of the Baixo Miño border, who thus have a clear framework of authorized areas, refuges, species, and hunting days for the next season, as well as the documentary and security obligations they must comply with.

Source: Official Gazette of the Province of Pontevedra, no. 168, September 2, 2026, Xunta de Galicia section (official reference: Edict no. 003/2026, document 2026065262).