The Wild Birds Regulation Unit has advised that the trapping season for Golden Plover has been closed as the “overall seasonal bag limit has been reached.” The season was due to close on the 10th of January.

In a facebook post it said that “the Minister responsible for the environment, in conjunction with the Minister for Gozo, notifies that the overall seasonal bag limit for Golden Plover has been reached and that, with immediate effect, the Autumn 2022 live-capturing special licences for this species have lapsed and are considered revoked. Clap-nets registered solely for Golden Plover are to be dismantled immediately.”

There is no legal trapping season open now as holders of a Song Thrush Special Licence were only able to trap until the 31st of December.

BirdLife Malta said in its reaction that there should now be no longer any trapping related equipment at any site, they should have all been removed.

The NGO warned that these nets cause the death of several species of fauna, not just birds, so their removal is essential to ensure that they do not cause further damage.

It urged anyone finding such equipment to report it with the location and if possible a photograph to BirdLife on info@birdlifemalta.org, or by passing the information directly to the EPU (Environmental Protection Unit) section of the police on 119.

Photo: BirdLife Malta

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